79 karma · joined May 13, 2022
"It's a big club and you ain't in it"
Unironically for a lot of narcoleptics we can suffer from delayed circadian rhythm disorders as well so interestingly my brain is more awake at say 11pm than 11am.
So it can definitely be a barrier for certain career choices. Luckily working in software remotely has afforded me a lot of accomodations. I truly don't know what other field I could be in that would simultaneously be flexible enough to accomodate my disability and also lucrative. Im glad I live now! I would have probably ended up Homeless if I was born 60 years ago.
I'm medicated now so a lot of my symptoms are not as bad as they used to be. I am able to drive and no longer suffer from "sleep attacks" but there was a point before my diagnosis when I was so tired I could fall asleep while driving and not even notice. Very dangerous and a very scary experience. Most days I had to take naps every 90 minutes or so and self medicated with approximately 1g of caffeine a day.
I enter a vivid dream state within seconds of closing my eyes when sleeping. Sleep paralysis almost every day multiple times a night. Pure utter terrifying demonic nightmares and hallucinations to the point where at its worst I was too afraid to even try and sleep.
I've basically been chronically sleep deprived for about the last 10 to 15 years but was only recently diagnosed a couple years ago.
It's very debilitating at 33 years old and there is only one real drug that actually addresses the issue. Xyrem, really GHB, which just forces your brain to get deep sleep. It isn't a cure, but it's the closest thing we got right now.
The disease has basically ruined my life but Im thankful to be where Im at. A lot of others with the disease aren't so lucky. Especially if you have no access to any real medicine.
Your brain will just continue to fry itself without the needed restorative sleep.
I met my last girlfriend this way. I know friends who found partners randomly chatting on the train, in ubers (pool when that was a thing), at bus stops etc.
Just dont be an asshole or a creep/creepy looking, and youd be surprised how receptive people can be