I Struggle with Sleep Disorders, but They Don’t Stop Me

Imagine that you’re sitting in your 7 a.m. clinical psychology class and fighting to stay awake. Energy drinks were part of my morning routine in college. I usually went to bed around the same time every night, so I couldn’t figure out why I was still tired and worn-out. 

Fighting fatigue

Fatigue is a major symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The type of MS fatigue I was suffering with is also known as lassitude. As the day progressed, I would feel increasingly drowsy, and working became difficult. At the end of the day, I was exhausted, and driving home was a challenge. To make it home, I would eat while driving or take a nap in my car. I found a suitable place to park and went there every day after my shift to nap for 15 minutes to an hour.  

Falling asleep has never been hard for me, though staying asleep has become difficult. One day I was studying with a friend, and we decided to take naps in the study area. My friend said that I fell asleep instantly. I even had a dream. But I only slept for 10 minutes. I fell asleep anytime I was sitting in a quiet environment. I’ve nodded off in movie theaters, in class, and even at a stoplight.

Sleep disorders   

I also experienced sleep paralysis and brain fog. When the fatigue and daytime sleepiness set in, my thoughts were cloudy and my speech unclear. I would think one thing, but entirely different words would come out of my mouth.

I was unfamiliar with sleep paralysis until my doctor mentioned it. Taking naps randomly during the day might contribute to this symptom. Sleep paralysis can be described as being conscious while sleeping. The experience is terrifying. I couldn’t speak or move and would try to wake myself up. I would often feel a presence in the room or think someone was rubbing my back.

My doctor suggested a sleep study to get official diagnoses. The study concluded that I had fatigue, narcolepsy, and insomnia. My fatigue slowed me down and led to narcolepsy. I could fall asleep in two minutes, whereas the process normally takes 10 to 20 minutes. However, staying asleep was a challenge, and I would wake up every few hours. The number of hours I was sleeping decreased, and daily functioning became more difficult.

Finding the right treatment

I have tried various treatments for my sleep disorders, and I’m still trying to figure out what works for me. I started taking regular naps during the day. On my lunch break, I dozed off in my car for 15 minutes. Then I started taking Adderall. Though I am not a big fan of this medication because of its side effects, it was one of the few things that kept me awake. I could work and drive, and I didn’t need to take naps. But when the medicine wore off, I felt horrible. Then when I needed to increase my dosage every few months for the medicine to be effective, I decided to go back to the drawing board. 

As a reminder, everyone’s medical experiences are different, and these are my personal observations. Be sure to consult your doctors about any treatment decisions you make.

Since then, I have changed my medications and habits. While it’s hard, I have learned to manage my life. I may have narcolepsy and fatigue, but it doesn’t stop me. If you struggle with sleep disorders, I would love to hear how you cope and what forms of treatment you have used.

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