Narcolepsy on Discovery Channel Featuring Julie Flygare

This Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 8 a.m. (EST) – Discovery Channel airs Narcolepsy: New Strategies for Diagnosis and Treatment, featuring my story, along with a panel of experts and a second patient perspective. The program will air a second time on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 at 8 a.m. (EST). 

It was an honor to work with the Discovery Channel on this show. The four-person Discovery Channel production crew followed me around for a day earlier this fall. We filmed at my home, at my favorite coffee shop, Northside Social, and along the Potomac River running paths (pictures below).

Attempting to film my hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis was especially funny – do you capture what’s happening in my brain or in reality? We filmed both! All in all, the Discovery Channel team listened closely and took great care to accurately capture my experience. I can’t wait to see the final product.

Narcolepsy: New Strategies for Diagnosis and Treatment airs on the Discovery Channel this Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 8 a.m. (EST) and again on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 8 a.m. (EST).

Spread the word to: doctors, nurses, school teachers, health professionals, friends and family. The hour-long program offers a great educational opportunity for all. I will keep you posted about online videos too!

Pictures from my day filming with the Discovery Channel:


 

26 Comments

  1. Makky's Mom on December 4, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    I can’t seem to find it available on Discovery.ca here in Canada. Will it be available to download? I really want to see it!!!

    • julie on December 4, 2012 at 7:02 pm

      Hi Makky’s Mom! I’m so sorry you can’t find it on Canada’s Discovery Channel listings. The program should be online at some point. I will update my blog as soon as I know more. Thanks so much, Julie

  2. kelly on December 4, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    Sometime they get posted on youtube for thoses who miss it or unable to view it who live out of the US..Or in this case here

    • julie on December 4, 2012 at 9:14 pm

      Great info. I will share the video when available!

  3. kelly on December 4, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    so excited : )

    • julie on December 4, 2012 at 9:14 pm

      Thanks so much, Kelly!

  4. Melissa on December 5, 2012 at 8:09 am

    Hi Julie
    I can’t find the listing on Australian Discovery Channel either…hopefully they will play it here as well. If not I’ll keep an eye out online and on you tube so I can upload the link for our members too.
    Cheers
    Melissa

    • julie on December 5, 2012 at 1:14 pm

      Thank you so much, Melissa! I will certainly post the online video ASAP! Sending wakefulness and smiles from the other side of the globe, Julie 🙂

  5. peggy on December 5, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    I’m placing a link to this on my fb page in the hopes at least some from my extended family will watch. Then maybe they will change what they call me from loony to strange. 🙁

    • julie on December 5, 2012 at 1:12 pm

      Thanks, Peggy. I don’t believe anyone is “loony,” as there are very real causes of narcolepsy and other neurological “invisible” conditions. I hope my site and other forums can provide some solace, support and validation of your experience with narcolepsy because you deserve it! Big smiles, Julie

      • peggy on December 5, 2012 at 3:52 pm

        Thanks Julie. I must give kudos to my husband, grown children and grandchildren. Although they may not fully understand it they at least acknowledge it and are very considerate when dealing with it/me. Now brother, sisters, nieces, nephews, in-laws…. well that’s a different story. I’ve learned that I’d rather live with the distance this has created between us than to try to maintain a relationship with those who whisper behind my back. I have so much to be thankful for and really don’t care to sweat the small stuff. Can’t wait to see the documentary. Thank you for being a voice for so many.

        • julie on December 6, 2012 at 5:03 pm

          I understand, Peggy. We must do what we can to surround ourselves with positive energy and support. It’s my pleasure to be a voice for narcolepsy!

  6. Gail Pean on December 5, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Congratulations Julie on sharing your personal journey with Narcolepsy to the world at large to educate everyone. I will set my alarm to wake up early and watch on Saturday morning.

    • julie on December 5, 2012 at 2:24 pm

      Thank you so much for your support, Gail! I can’t wait to watch the show too.

  7. Mark Patterson on December 6, 2012 at 2:57 am

    Hi,This is Deborah. Just wanted you to know we will be watching. So glad you are willing to share your “narcolepsy” life with others to help with awareness. It is appreciated!
    Deborah

    • julie on December 6, 2012 at 5:02 pm

      Thank you so much, Deborah! It’s truly an honor and joy to share and raise awareness. Your support means so much to me.

  8. Heather on December 6, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    What a great opportunity! I will be watching! Thanks for all you do, Julie.

    • julie on December 6, 2012 at 5:01 pm

      Thank you, Heather! Can’t wait. Big smiles, Julie

  9. Alex Withrow on December 6, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    Gah, I’m so excited to finally get to see this. I can’t wait for more people to be exposed to your inspiration!

    • julie on December 6, 2012 at 5:00 pm

      Thank you, Alex! Your videos are helping so much too. Thank you for your incredible support.

  10. Jane on December 7, 2012 at 2:40 pm

    I’ve already send the info on the Discovery channel show to my brother and his wife who totally support me! Its tough to explain to others that you are exhausted but look normal. I also have Cataplexy. Still, with proper combination of meds – I take Xyrem at night and Effexor in the day….I can function….in between naps! Thanks for making this program!

    • julie on December 7, 2012 at 2:54 pm

      Hi Jane. Thanks for spreading the word! I’m so glad to hear you’ve found a good treatment regime including medication and naps. My treatment regime is similar. Sending wakefulness and smiles your way, Julie

  11. Vicki Tavana on December 8, 2012 at 12:50 am

    I think it’s great they are going to show this, want to see it but don’t have cable; will watch as soon as I can get it online.
    I’m in the process of trying to get on disability, SS says even though I can’t be a nurse anymore, I can still do “substantial” work, lol! Can’t think, organize my life and always late! How many employers are gonna keep someone with those symptoms?? IF they’ll even hire me to start with!

    • julie on December 9, 2012 at 3:50 pm

      Hi Vicki, Yes, raising awareness is very important. Hang in there! Thanks for reading my blog, Julie

  12. kelly on December 8, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    Is there anyway to get a copys DVDs and pass it out to the Drs, Family and Friends. This would make great x mass presents..

  13. kelly on December 8, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    at the end of the program they said something about dvds ..waiting to review the recording again.

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