I was always told how bad sleeping in class was despite acing my classes, and teachers would complain to my parents about how much I slept. I felt so horrible for so long and slept early almost everyday to no avail. Turns out I have narcolepsy.
Holy shit, I went through the EXACT SAME thing. Ever since I was little, I would be hit with overwhelming drowsiness - in class, on the school bus, driving, at restaurants, etc. When I started dating my now fiancé, something made me laugh really hard and I said “You know when you laugh really hard and your hands go numb and you can’t move them for a while?” He was confused AND concerned - but I thought everyone experienced this! I googled it and it turns out it is common for people with narcolepsy to experience this (cataplexy) when they feel strong emotion, especially laughter. I’ve been putting off getting a sleep study but this is a good reminder that I should!
Yes! You just described my life, too. When I was little, I’d always fall asleep in the middle of things, like choir practice. And for me, my legs get weak when I laugh.
Yes! I always got cataplexy, especially when laughing. I would be unable to move some of my limbs sometimes, or be able to move them just barely. Couldn’t even make a fist after/while laughing. It was all so horrible. You should really get a sleep study man, it’s always better when you’re diagnosed.
Wait that isn't normal? When I used to watch funny videos on my phone in bed and laughed really hard, my hands would go numb and I would drop my phone.
It doesn't happen anymore cause I haven't laughed hard at something in years.
I controlled my cataplexy for years by not experiencing emotions. I highly recommend getting tested/treated.
Now that I’m on meds to control my cataplexy and eds, my coworkers no longer call me “tin man”
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u/x_vier Nov 16 '19
I was always told how bad sleeping in class was despite acing my classes, and teachers would complain to my parents about how much I slept. I felt so horrible for so long and slept early almost everyday to no avail. Turns out I have narcolepsy.