Ask a Narcoleptic

[Aroura]

Is that related to CFS?
Also, on a lighter note, if I start talking to you about how much better the horizontal rock crushers are, and you start yawning, I'll know it's not personal and I'll just keep nudging you, OK?

I don't know if it is related to CFS, but I don't think the medical community has made a connection.  The causes of CFS are largely unknown as far as I'm aware, and while narcolepsy is still being studied, there are secific things the brain does that can be labeled as narcaleptic, such as going into REM sleep withing 8 to 10 minutes of falling asleep,that are not associated with CFS.  For all I know, a lot of people diagnosed with CFS have mild narcolepsy though, it seems sometimes these things end up related.  
So, in short, maybe?

And yes, don't take it personal if my eyes glaze over when talk of horizontal rock crushers comes up, lol.  Nudging is fine.

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How do you handle it and does the sleepiness obstruct in normal functioning?

Yes, it totally obstructs normal functioning.  Back when I was working, I would fall asleep every day at lunch, and often on my 15 minute breaks as well, and I got teased pretty hard for it, but it was the only thing that made working even possible.  I needed the constant naps.  I kept losing jobs, even though employers would tell me I was the most organized and best workers they had, and did the work of 2 or 3 drafters, because I would miss work, or sleep though lunch on accident in my car.  It makes holding a regular job nigh on impossible.
If/when I get back into the workforce, I'm going to see if I can telecommunte.  I know other drafters that have done it. 

How I handle it, boy, that's a tough one.  Sometimes I don't handle it very well at all.  If I need to get something done I push through the sleepiness, but I pay for it later.  It causes me extreme anxiety AND depression, both things I've been misdiagnosed with IMO.  

Mostly I deal with it by taking naps when I feel like I need to. I am SO lucky I got onto disability, I don't know how other people with narcolepsy have a job and a family, becauae the meds are like speed, which is worse to me than the sleepiness.

Sometimes a nap is unavoidable, like, they just sort of happen to me.  And by nap, I mean 60 to 90 minutes. 10 to 15 minute power naps do shit all for me.  
I have pulled over and slept in my car.
I have slept in some very awkward situations.  I guess I just get used to it, and my friends and family just accept it now, too (though there is still teasing, lol).

Also, feel free to tease, it is a funny thing to have sometimes, so I won't get my feelings hurt.