NARCOLEPSY

---

My treatment plan living with narcolepsy + chronic depression:

~ Exercise 

~ Eat well and balanced 

~ Medication 

~ Rest / naps

~ Positive self talk and reassurance

~ Limit social interaction / commitments 

~ Zero / very little alcohol 

~ Sun / fresh air / ocean

~ Listening to body daily to notice and act on any changes 

~ Regular doctor and specialist appointments 

This has been years in the making and is continually changing. Please seek professional advice to find a plan that works for you

Rest is not unproductive. 

Rest is not a waste of time. 

Rest is not being lazy. 

Rest is not a sign of weakness. 

Invisible illness sufferers - I see you. 

My sleep schedule is all over the place and I NEVER know how I’m going to feel when I wake up or feel throughout the day. 

Every week, day, hour and minute feel different and unpredictable. 

My new lifestyle may seem relaxed and luxe on the outside though it’s been absolutely necessary to manage the symptoms of narcolepsy. 

I see other sufferers of an invisible illness and they are filled with the same guilt and shame because no one else can see what they are going through. 

Be kind today and everyday as we truly don’t know what someone is trying to manage 

So . . .

The average adult needs up to 7 hours of sleep a day. 

A mouse needs up to 14 hours. 

A koala needs at least 20 hours. 

Today I learned that my sleeping habits fall somewhere between that of a mouse and koala rather than human and I’m not sure whether I should be proud or disgraced 

Welcome to the world of invisible illness / disease / disability / condition that no one else can see. 

The one that makes you feel crazy and alone because others misunderstand, judge, question, dismiss and simply don’t believe your symptoms. 

Invisible illnesses / diseases / disabilities are everywhere and my heart goes to every sufferer. 

Things such as;
Chronic pain
Fatigue
Mental illness
Neurological conditions
Intellectual disabilities
Autoimmune diseases
are some of the hardest to diagnose, treat and manage.  

Be proud for making it through each day. You know yourself better than anyone else and you know you aren’t making these things up. 

Trust yourself, respect yourself and symptoms and remember you are not alone.

Life got better with every diagnosis I received.

Not because depression, anxiety and narcolepsy are a hoot, but because learning to actually manage them was far more helpful than trying to battle through life every single day with no explanation. 

It took me years to figure out something was wrong. 

It took me years to get help.
It took me years to get answers.
It took me years to accept it.
It will take a lifetime to truly understand it. 

But the power in knowing was everything for me and it changed my life for the better. 

Don’t fear acknowledging something might not be quite right for you. The moment I acknowledged I wasn’t ok was the moment I felt true relief and it’s the only reason I was able to improve. 

Life isn’t perfect, but it can be better