High School kid who slept a lot

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I was diagnosed in mid 2012, after maybe 18-24 months of symptoms. I would fall asleep in class and regularly doze off on car trips within 10 minutes of leaving the house (uncontrollable dozing). Mum and Dad used to believe I simply slept a lot, however upon my insistence initially we investigated in 2011. Low B12 levels were initially suspected to be the cause, and B12 booster shots were administered. They helped for a short time, however the symptoms soon returned.

 

While brushing it off somewhat as an adolescent phase, it was my father who first realised something was definitely wrong when he noticed me falling asleep while attempting to walk home.

The local GP was the first to suggest Narcolepsy, and this was confirmed by both a Sleep Specialist and a Neurologist through a sleep study conducted in 2012.

Ongoing treatment is currently my situation, however despite living a relatively normal life there are still many aspects of my life that are affected by this disease. I cannot drive at night (my own decision due to my trouble maintaining concentration), I suffer some social withdrawal from symptoms as well as medication, and I have to adapt my university working schedule as well as my part time work schedule to fit my disorder.

While it has reduced my quality of life, I can still enjoy most of the normal things a person my age does and as of 2017 am doing a 1 month trip of Europe. All you need are friends and family who are willing to understand and adjust some aspects of their own thinking and treatment of you to live a fulfilling life!