Dreams, Reality, and Knowing the Difference Between Them When You Have Narcolepsy

People with Narcolepsy...I have a question for you.

Are there memories that you have of events that seem crystal clear in your mind, but something either happened where you realized that that event didn't really occur, or others may tell you that they don't ever remember it occurring?

I remember coming home from work one night, and it was very late, probably around midnight. I remember looking out the window, and seeing a blue and orange spiral object moving across the sky. It almost looked like DNA strands, twirling through the pitch black sky.  It was beautiful!  Here's the thing...I only started to remember seeing it, years after it happened and it didn't seem like it shocked me.

I didn't remember it being a UFO. I remembered it being something that was supposed to occur, similar to how we see eclipses occurring infrequently in time. Like these events that are unusual, but we know when they are going to happen, and we know what they are when they do.

That's how I remember this DNA strandy-ish kind of thing. Every time I think of it, I try to find info about what it could have been, as if maybe I am just missing something. Then my rational mind speaks to me and says something like, "What in the heck are you thinking, you crazy Narcoleptic!".

And now for the point of the post...

I knew that Narcolepsy can effect my memory, I mean I can say something to someone and 5 minutes later (or less) repeat the exact same thing, with NO memory of previously saying it at all. If I had a dollar for every memory gap that I have in my life, I would have...uh...probably a lot of dollars, but I, of course, am not sure...

So here comes the interesting stuff.  I know I am not alone, but there are specific studies done regarding delusional confusion of dreaming and reality in Narcolepsy. Did I actually dream about that DNA in the sky?  I swear I saw it, and if I didn't know better, I wouldn't accept that it could have been a dream, but I do know better. Damn. It was so cool, and a little part of me still thinks that one day I will find some obscure info about it happening, and I will say HA HA! I win!

Until then, if you are interested you can check out the links below for some info about this phenomenon.

Delusional confusion of dreaming and reality in narcolepsy.

Dreams, reality and memory: confabulations in lucid dreamers implicate reality-monitoring dysfunction in dream consciousness

Story-like organization of REM-dreams in patients with narcolepsy-cataplexy.

P.S. This blog entry, is in no way trying to imply that Unicorns are just a delusion or a figment of imagination. Unicorns are indeed real, and I have seen them on my balcony many times, during both day and night.  Unicorns, however, cannot be photographed...so...

 

Narcolepy, Truth and Consequences with a Side of Depression.

Today I've been thinking about what to write about here, and I have a few things I'd like to share.  I used to try to read, and research everything possible regarding Narcolepsy.  New treatments, New discoveries and anything new about Narcolepsy was on mind more than anything.  

This blog started out as a way to share what I learned along the way.  So, today I would like to share some things that I didn't really understand before.  They didn't require research, they required time; time to grow, and learn more about this Narcolepsy, just by living with it.

First what I know is this; even though I have been diagnosed for about 11 years, I still sometimes get to a place where I feel like people that are close to me disregard my illness or act like it is not a big deal.  It seems as if they expect things from me that are things that I may not be able to do. 

 Instead of being straight forward and reminding them in a direct and honest way that I can't do whatever it is at that time that they ask of me, I take the selfish route and begin my passive aggressive routine.  I except the task and complain to myself about how mad I am that they would even ask me do whatever it is in the first place.  Then comes the pity "celebration" about how no one cares about me, they don't believe my illness is real, they don't appreciate anything I do...and so on.  They even will ask me to drive somewhere when I feel sleepy!!  They don't care!!  And then like magical clockwork depression show up to make it worse...Thanks depression!

Here's what know is true; I am the one in control of my actions.  If I  know that I am not able to do what is required at that time, it is my duty to tell them that.  Yes, they know I have Narcolepsy, but unless I let them know how I feel, they will never know.  If I just do what they ask of me, when I don't feel that I can, or if it is not safe for me to drive, I am the only one to blame if I do it anyway, without letting them know that I shouldn't do it.

So, in a nutshell...tell people how you feel.  Do the best that you can, and if you can't do something, let them know that you can't.  It is so very simple, yet sometimes we make everything so much more difficult! Truth is, that there may be people the really don't care about how you feel.  But in my situation, most of the time, those type of thoughts are created only by me, and my actions. 

 I do have a lot of people that care greatly about me.  There are some that don't and yes, it hurts me to the core at times.  I am still so grateful for those that do care.  I am blessed.  Sometimes we need to check ourselves!  We need to give people more information and more chances.  We really have absolutely nothing to lose.

How Xyrem Probably Works-Good Info from a Smart Girl!

I took Xyrem for Narcolepsy about 5 yrs ago.  I took it for I think about 6 months, although I may be wrong because those months are quite cloudy.  Other than the face swelling, major anxiety, bloody hangnails, head thrashing, wanting to die and not being able to breathe through my nose, it was a pretty good experience...or not. 

Over at the Zombie Research Institute, one of my favorite websites, Heidi L. has some great information about millions of things having to do with Narcolepsy and so much more.  

You can read her section entitled "How Xyrem Probably Works" here  and it is most interesting.  She does some serious research, and all of her stuff over there is so worth taking the time to read.  So go read it.  Save your brain from Zombietude.  

In other very important news:

Patchy and Pudgy, the pigeons that 

live on my balcony had babies!  

They are so ugly that they are cute!! 

They are so tiny! Don't you want to just squeeze them!!

New Journal Article - Narcolepsy Treatments...Very Interesting

Hola everyone!

While perusing the curehunter.com database, I found a new article to be published this July, written by Stanford's own Christian Guilleminault, Mia Zaharna, and Alex Dimitriu.

The reasons that I find it sooo interesting is that it describes Narcolepsy as a neurodegenerative disorder, instead of the usually described neurological disorder.  Also, there are some new treatment options that they mention that I had not heard of yet connected to Narcolepsy. The abstract states:

"For each of these treatments, we evaluate risks versus benefits of treatment, and proposed pharmacologic mechanisms of action. We conclude with a review of new treatment approaches, including thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), histamine agonists, immunotherapy and hypocretin replacement therapies."

Have any of you heard of  thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) therapy?

You can access the abstract by clicking here.  Please let me know if you have any insight into this abstract or any comments would be appreciated.  It seems to me that it is a pretty important step in introducing some optional treatments for Narcolepsy. 

And by the way, it is just me, or is it a new thing to describe Narcolepsy as a "neurodegenerative" disorder? 

Ok, the dogs have nothing really 

to do with Narcolepsy, but I love them!  

This is Jack and Kenny my sister's dogs.  :)

Depression in Narcolepsy: High Probability

Hola everyone!  I have been looking for more and more info regarding Narcolepsy and Depression.  It seems from what people are searching for, this is a popular search, and so I am trying to find more interesting resources to give.  Narcolepsy and Depression, to me go hand in hand, and I think that most people with Narcolepsy already know this, right?  But it is interesting to find studies that give us percentages and figures.  Well, at least it is kind of interesting to me:)

Here is a link to a study done at Lesley College way back in 1996.  I do, however, think that it is quite relevant today.   Please click here to read it, or you can read the abstract below.

Depression in narcolepsy: concomitant or constituent?
LINDSLEY G, CRAWFORD B Sleep Research 1996; 25: 279.   Lesley College and Quintiles/Benefit Research


Abstract:
According to recent studies, the comorbidity rate of narcolepsy and depression is estimated to be between 30-52%, as compared with a depression prevalence rate of 8.1% in the general population. Our current study provides further support of the significantly elevated comorbidity rate of narcolepsy and depression, and extends these findings. Subjects were 22 men and 44 women between the ages of 17 and 76 (mean=49ñ15.24) who completed a survey intended to assess the financial burden of narcolepsy. Estimated age of narcolepsy symptom onset was 20 yoñ10.64. The mean age of diagnosis was 34 yo ñ 11.49 years, with a mean lag of 14ñ11.53 years from estimated year of onset. According to the subjects' retrospective reports, 46% carried an accurate diagnosis of depression prior to their diagnosis of narcolepsy. Strikingly, 56% of the sample continued to carry this diagnosis during this past year. There was also a high comorbidity with diagnoses of anxiety. 32% carried this diagnosis prior to identification of narcolepsy, which increased to a rate of 35% within the past year. Overall rate of moderate to severe mood disturbance was 58% of the sample pre-narcolepsy diagnosis, which stayed essentially the same, 57%, during the past year.


Looked at separately, the five subjects in the sample < 25 yo had a lag of 0-5 years from onset to diagnosis. The data showed essentially the same trends with respect to associated diagnoses of depression and severity of mood disturbance, except that anxiety frequency increased rather then remained the same during the past year.


With respect to co-relationships among potentially relevant variables, severity of depression was independent of reported severity of EDS, cataplexy, disruption of school or work life, and medication. As graphed below for the current year data, however, there was a striking relationship between severity of depressed mood and presence/absence of anxiety diagnoses, with anxiety diagnoses increasing as depressed mood increased. Severity of depression also had a similar relationship with difficulty focusing and concentrating (cognitive disturbance).


In conclusion: (1) The probability of depression in association with narcolepsy is very high; (2) Formal diagnoses of depression are significantly related to diagnoses of anxiety; (3) Severity of depressed mood appears also to be related to degree of cognitive disturbance; (4) Depression increased rather than decreased across the life span in these subjects whereas anxiety increased in our small sample of young people but decreased moderately from prediagnosis to the current year in the total sample; and (5) that there was no obvious relationship between subjectively reported severity of depressed mood and severity of EDS or cataplexy, degree of disruption of school or work life, or type of medication. These data reinforce how critical it is to address affective disturbance as well as the primary symptoms of narcolepsy when treating narcoleptic patients. In addition, the high comorbidity rate of depression with narcolepsy, even when EDS and cataplexy are more or less under control, raise the question of whether depression is actually a constituent rather than merely a concomitant of narcolepsy.


Research supported in part by Cephalon, Inc.

------
Interesting?  When research is supported by drug companies, I usually am a bit skeptical, but this study isn't surprising to me, nor does it seem unlikely.  What do you think about it?  Leave a comment if you like, I would love to hear your thoughts on this.


Until next time,
Via Con Dios,
Ja:)

Narcolepsy and History...Doctors Are Not Always the Smartest People...

I have recently had the opportunity to read some medical journals and reviews about Narcolepsy dating back to the late 1800's.  I realize that we know so much more in today's world, but damn!
There is absolutely no doubt that medicine in the 1800's and early 1900's was frequently scary as hell, just take a look here and the so scary, I could pee my pants selections here, at the "Dr. Bonkers Institute", to get the picture.But back to Narcolepsy...

I was perusing the 1897 book entitled, "Sleep: its physiology, pathology, hygiene, and psychology." by Maria Mikhailovna Manaseina and not only did I vomit a little while reading, but It so sadly reminded me of the attitudes of so many people during those times, and how scary it is to think that there are probably some people that actually have similar attitudes and beliefs today.  Below is a selection from this old piece of doo doo, "medical" book...

Oh no she didn't!  Ok... it's 1897...we didn't know much then...blah blah blah...HELL NO!  I don't care what year it was, she actually used the word "always".  Read it again please...She says people with Narcolepsy always come from lower and least developed classes or from families with "nervous or mental disease".  That is not a medical statement, that is a stereotypical, stupid statement of idiocy.  Man, all I can say is that I am so very thankful that she was not my doctor!  Thank you Jesus!  

You too, can also read this mind numbing "medical" book online for free by clicking here. There are so many statements in this book that are grossly racist and just plain nuts. But sadly, it is history.

I am a believer in knowing the truth about history and learning from it as well, but sometimes, well, actually, a lot of the time, it really is a hard pill to swallow.  So many throughout history suffered and fought for freedom, and were treated in ways that we could never imagine.  We've got to honor those who suffered and paid the price for our freedom today, and pray for those that still suffer unimaginable circumstances even today. 

Medical issues are just one piece of the pie.  All I can say is that I feel like one of the most blessed people in the world. 

From all I can find, Maria Mikhailovna Manaseina was a noted Russian physician and scientist that studied sleep.  If she were here today, I would have to tell her to kiss my Narcoleptic ass!!!  

History lesson concluded.

 

Narcolepsy as an Autoimmune Disease

Since the discovery that Narcolepsy is most likely an Autoimmune Disease, I know I have been combing the web for information on new developments and articles discussing this topic.

I found a link provided by Medical Planet, that offers a free download book (pdf) called "Narcolepsy and Hypersomnia (Lung Biology in Health and Disease)". One of the editors is Emmanuel Mignot, so I am thinking that it might be a good read. Here is the description of the book from the blog page at Medical Planet,

"This is the first and only guide to discuss narcolepsy as an autoimmune disease. Compiled by an international group of more than 40 authors, this reference book supplies an engaging and comprehensive review of the major topics and key issues associated with narcolepsy and hypersomnia. Spanning the latest advances in the field, this source covers current diagnostic procedures, genetic developments, explorations of animal models, new definitions and criteria, and improved epidemiological surveys to reflect the explosion of research in this evolving science."

The book appears to be published in December of 2006. I have downloaded the book but I have not yet had a chance to read it yet. It has 736 pages!! You can download it HERE.

With the download, there are some other files that come with it that appear to be links to other services and possibly material that the website might be trying to sell, but you don't have to open them unless you want to. My computer did not detect any virus or malware with this file download, but of course, make sure you check it on your computer, just to be safe!

I hope that this will be useful to some of you, and the website the book came from looks pretty interesting too, although this was my first visit.

If you get a chance to check it out, please leave a comment!

Go Easy!
Ja

This Sleepy Woman Hasn't Had Too Many Adventures Lately!

Hola everyone reading!

I haven't written in awhile, and I am sorry for that, if anyone was wanting to read here. My dog died Aug 10th, and it has been a little harder than I thought it would be. He was 14 years old, but very young acting! In the last year he got Diabetes and it was really hard on him. He also went blind (overnight) this year, but adapted so well, and did a great job finding his own way anywhere.

I loved him like family, and after having him for 14yrs, he was my little brother. He died in his sleep at the vet. They initially had to give him lots of phenobarbatal because he was having seisures that wouldn't stop. By the next day, he still was having them in his sleep and died.

I want to write here again, I have been reading a lot, but it was just hard to write anything without losing it. As many of you already know, stress really messes with your Narcolepsy too! I am hanging in there, and I hope that all of you are too. For any of you that pray, please pray for my family and the grief process. We are doing ok, but without God, I dont even want to think about where I would be!

Thanks Mucho!!

This is my dog Leo. :)

Genetics Traits, and the Most Genetically Annotated Human on Earth!

Click here for one of the most interesting articles on how genetic traits can be analyzed. This author of the article has had 5094 traits analyzed! A world record, and an amazing story.

Long Term Effects of Narcolepsy - What Do You Think?

I have seen many articles lately about Narcolepsy, and it's symptoms and general information regarding this illness. One of the interesting things, to me anyway, are the differences in opinions about Narcolepsy and how it effects it's target. I have collected some opinions from various websites, and posted them below, with links, to see what you think.

Do any of these explanations seem accurate in your life? How does Narcolepsy effect you? I am so interested in the opinions of others on how Narcolepsy has changed your life. What is different since you have been effected by Narcolepsy?

Here are some snippets from various sites on the subject. The link to the actual website is included. Let me know what you think, OK?

Long Term Effects of Narcolepsy

From the website of Narcolepsy Network - Click here to go to site.
...The consequences of narcolepsy may be many and far reaching. Sleep attacks and cataplexy in public are embarrassing and can cause serious social and economic difficulties. Cataplexy may interfere with physical activities, and efforts to avoid emotions may lead to social withdrawal. Inability to work and/or drive may result in loss of independence, financial difficulties and a multitude of other problems. In these situations, a person can easily lose touch with others and become depressed...
----------
The following text excerpts taken from SleepFoundation.org - Click here for the exact page
...The symptoms of (and some of the drugs taken for) narcolepsy may affect your sex life. Sexual problems, such as low sex drive and impotency, may result from severe sleepiness, depression, medications or cataplectic attacks. These problems, especially any resulting from a new medication or changed dosage, should be discussed with your doctor....

...Narcolepsy symptoms can also result in a change or loss of employment, physical restrictions and social withdrawal. Loss of self-esteem, learning difficulties and depression can result...
----------
Below are a few words from the Aurora Health Care site, from an article intitled "In his own words: living with narcolepsy". The whole article is good. You can check it out, click here.

...I've had to make many lifestyle changes. I had to give up my military career and change jobs. I only swim in shallow water. I'm still a heavy coffee drinker, just not three pots a day. I take regular naps, generally after lunch, around 4, and after supper. I can regulate when I need a nap. And by taking naps, I don't have to take as much medication. Since emotions can trigger cataplexy, I have to walk away from confrontational situations or I may fall over...
----------
At the website of Health Central, here is what they have to say about the emotional and social effects of Narcolepsy. Click here to go to the website.

...The patient suffers emotional and social difficulties from the uncontrollable sleep episodes and cataplexy. Studies have reported rates of depression in people with narcolepsy ranging from 30 - 57%. (In the general population, prevalence of depression is 8%.) Studies have shown severe emotional and social dysfunction in all areas, including work, relationships, and leisure activities. One study reported that 25% of men with narcolepsy suffered sexual problems. Some experts believe that the psychological and social effects are more serious than those caused by epilepsy (which narcolepsy can be mistaken for)....

There are many opinions about the effects of Narcolepsy on one's life. We all have our own unique experiences and opinions. How does it effect your life? What area in your life that is effected by Narcolepsy do you find the most difficult to deal with?

I am really interested in hearing different experiences, and I would like to post some of them here, with your permission.

Well, everyone, have a great rest of the week, and oh yeah, have any of you seen the film "90 Naps a Day" yet? I got some interesting opinions from some of you who have seen it, and I hope to write a little about it soon. I haven't seen it yet, I am in the U.S, and I haven't found a way to see it, I have only been able to see some clips.

Scientists pinpoint genetic driver of narcolepsy

Scientists pinpoint genetic driver of narcolepsy- click here for a link

I have been seeing quite a few news articles related to this genetic discovery in the past week.

Scientists in Japan have identified a genetic mutation linked to narcolepsy. I wonder what this means for the future of those with this disease, and finding a cure or alternative ways of treatment. Pretty interesting stuff!

On a side note, I have been sleeping approx. 15 hrs. a pop/day, for about a week. Today, I woke up, and felt like I had energy. I forgot what that felt like. I will NEVER take any energy or "good" days for granted! Oh what a great feeling it is to feel like moving, reading, working, shoot, doing anything!!

How are all of you doing?

This puppy was at the gas station, and I had to take a pic! What a cootie bug poo!!!

90 Naps a Day...

Hola peoples!

There seems to be a new film among us entitled "90 Naps a Day", a film by Firefly, exploring Narcolepsy. Click here for a link where I found this info, if you are interested.

I did a search, and cannot find any other info about this flick. Anyone know any other info about it? I would love to know more, or where I could see it.

I haven't written in a long time. I hope to be writing again, regularly now. Thanks to all of you that keep coming back and reading. I really appreciate it!!

Go Easy!

And Some People Think People With Narcolepsy are Dense!!!

You know,

Narcolepsy can make a person forget words, slur words, mangle words...you get the idea, right? In honor of all of my brothers and sisters in Narcolespy, I bring something new! Well, I have decided to offers my readers, (all 2 or 3 of you...LOL), a weekly game entitled,

"Who Forgot to Put on Their Thinking Pants" quote game. Here's the deal...

I will leave you a quote, and you try to guess who said it. There is one important rule however...you absolutely cannot look the quote up...No Google-ing, no web search, just your fresh brain matter, and who you think may have said the monstrosity that I post. Got it? OK. And the first person to guess the mess will get the prize. Except unfortunately, there really is no prize.

Well, there is sort of a prize. You will be listed as the winner!!!! Woooo Wooo!

So here it goes, Here is todays funky funktabulus quote; remember, no cheating!!

Who Said This:

"One reason I like to highlight reading is, reading is the beginnings of the ability to be a good student. And if you can't read, it's going to be hard to realize dreams; it's going to be hard to go to college. So when your teachers say, read—you ought to listen to her."

Happy Guessing! This one should be pretty easy!!!

God Bless,
and Go Easy,
Ja

Narcolepsy, the Truth. Can You Afford Your Medication?

Do you have insurance, but still cannot afford your medicine? Do you have Narcolepsy and can't afford meds?

I no longer have insurance, and barely afford medication that doesn't really do much for me anyway, but I think about all of the people, with and without insurance, that cannot afford medication that they need for an illness.

I just read a really crazy story about a young lady that is trying to afford Provigil for her diagnosed Narcolepsy, and it is just crazy what Cephalon, the makers of Provigil suggested that she do.

Just read the story for yourself. Click here to read her story. What do you all think about it? What is your situation? Any feedback?

Go Easy,
Ja

What do you do after you have tried everything?

What do you do after you have tried everything?

When your health is getting worse, and nothing that you try works?

Narcolepsy is so tricky, and I guess just like everything else, what works for one person, may not work for another. Anyone out there with Narcolepsy, have any advice? I have taken Dexedrine for about 5 years now, with no increase in dosage. I worked full time, up until approx. one and a half year ago. First I went down to part time, then I was let go. I got the award for employee of the year! How could they just let me go??? Even after all of this time, it is like it happened yesterday. I guess my job was my life. It was the only stable thing I had.

I am sorry if this a a depressing post. I just am letting it out...the cats out of the bag. I am not the "together" person that most think I am, and I am at a loss when it comes to what to do. I lost my job, my apartment, my car. I work part time now.

I know I am blessed. I just am getting to the point where I cannot imagine living like this for the rest of my life. I don't want to die, I just don't want to live like this. I have been independent for most of my adult life. I think when one loses this independence, it can truly wreak havoc on your self worth, or your perceptions of yourself. I want to be a active part, a useful positive part of this world again.

I know God knows what is going on, I just can't figure out what he wants me to do...

or not do.

Narcolepsy and the Presidential Election

Have you ever had Deja Vu?

I will tell you, watching television this week, I thought that it was my Narcolepsy or Deja Vu, or something wrong with my head. I could still turn on the tube right now, and they would be yapping about "Obama's speech about Race". Didn't that happen at the beginning of the week??? I mean, the speech was phenomenal, but it is as if he gave it today, they are still analyzing each sentence, each phrase.

I thought I must be dreaming, but I guess I wasn't. It should be remembered, but how long are we gonna listen to these soundbites of it, and listen to each news personality give their opinions about what the frack he means...

Oh yeah, and what a great opportunity to invite all minority jounalists to the show to give their opinions too. I guess they only have opinions regarding things of a racial matter. Well, at least they are getting some airtime now, too bad it is only because of the current "race" commentary. How racialicious!

Anywho, I think if I hear another person say how "articulate" Obama is, I am going to puke from the mere ignorance of someone actually thinking that saying that someone is "articulate" is a compliment.

If someone said to you "you are so articulate", would you be flattered? Check out the definition of articulate, (from Dictionary.com) click to go there.

I will just list the first few definitions:

ar·tic·u·late /adj., n. ɑrˈtɪkyəlɪt; v. ɑrˈtɪkyəˌleɪt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[adj., n. ahr-tik-yuh-lit; v. ahr-tik-yuh-leyt]

1.uttered clearly in distinct syllables.
2.capable of speech; not speechless.
3.using language easily and fluently; having facility with words: an articulate speaker.


Hmm... You are so capable of speech! You uttered your syllables so distinctly. You are so fluent in the English language! Yeah...what a compliment. Give me a break. Oh yes, and Obama is "clean" or "clean-cut" too. As if we would expect a presidential candidate to be scraggly and smell like a bag of onions?

And please, can we just move along with the campaign? If the worst thing that we can find on Obama is that his Pastor says unfavorable things to some people about racial topics, wow...this guy must be pretty clean. Is that the best you can do???

P.S. I don't know who I am voting for yet.

P.S.S. Here are some other interesting conversations, articles, about this subject: Oh and this video is beyond funny...



Bush Criticized for Calling Obama "articulate".

Barack Obama is AWB: articulate while black.

Obama is Really an Atheist!?

You know, If you have read any of this blog, it is apparent that I have Narcolepsy. So many people have said things to me like, "oh yeah, my cousin had that, and his doctor gave him a cure". Ok, no big deal. Sometimes, we, including myself, don't know what the heck we are talking about. When someone said the above to me, I said to them "no, there is no cure for Narcolepsy, maybe it was something else". I said this, trying to be nice, polite, whatever. They replied, "no, it was Narcolepsy, you should go get cured".

Stupid. People say things all of the time, without looking into what they are saying. Just like the deal with Barack Obama. I keep seeing people claiming that this man is a Muslim. I think to myself...So what if he is. But the fact is HE IS NOT...and no, the title of this entry is not true either. Barack Obama has said repeatedly that he is a Christian. All facts and historical information lead one to clearly see that he is telling the truth. But I wonder how many people just believe something, just because someone said that it was so.

This goes way beyond our news headlines or the presidential races. Think about your every day life. Do you believe something about someone, or anything just because someone says it is true? If you hear something that might make an impact on your life, or others' lives, do you check it out, or just go on spreading the information, not knowing if it is a fact, or not?

Read. Read more. If you are not sure, or it is a matter that is different depending on opinions, investigate, form your own opinion. Don't just rely on someone else's statement without being informed. Duh. And if you were wrong, just admit it. I don't know about you, but I think that a person that can admit that they are wrong without getting all bent out of shape about it, is a person of strong character. When I hear someone saying that "oops" they were wrong, sorry about that, etc. I trust them even more, and feel that that are a person that I can trust a little more.

So, here it goes...
Elvis does not currently work at a Burger King in Michigan.
Bill Gates will not send you money if you forward an email to ten people.
and no...that pill will not make you lose weight while you sleep...believe me, I've tried.

Please, hop on the clue bus...all are welcome.

Narcolepsy Makes Me Awake?

It is now 4:03am. I am so awake. I just worked my bootie off, well, nope, it is still there, but really, I worked super hard, and I am mentally more alert than a...hmmm...look, I am just reallly awake.

Narcolepsy is funny like that. I think a lot of people just think that Narcolepsy makes people sleepy all of the time, and they can never stay awake. But I am here to tell you, that ain't so. Can anybody relate?

Well, I hope you all, who are reading this will have a great weekend.

Go Easy, and may God bless,
Ja

Xyrem, and Jazz

So....What do you people think about this lawsuit against Jazz Pharma? I tried taking Xyrem at one time and I think that it was probably the scariest time in my entire life! I am glad that it has been such a blessing to so many with Narcolepsy! It just wasn't for me.

just a cartoon I appreciated....sorry about the quality...

Is it just me, or is this kinda not new info - "Narcolepsy May Be Caused By Environmental Exposures"

There is an article recently published by The American Academy of Sleep Medicine entitled "Narcolepsy May Be Caused By Environmental Exposures". It has been posted on many websites, and blogs lately.

While I find this article interesting, I just keep saying to myself "what is really new about this information"?

Maybe someone out there can tell me, but this article just seems like it is non-conclusive, and keeps the "environmental cause" of Narcolepsy, still as a possibility. Didn't we already know that?

I guess I was just hoping to read this article and be presented with some new discovery about Narcolepsy, instead of just "mights" or "maybes".

Anywho, I guess it is an interesting read regardless. Here's the link to the article, for those of you who would like to check it out. Also, if any of you have opinions regarding this article, please leave a comment. I would like to know you thoughts.

Here's the link.... Narcolepsy May Be Caused By Environmental Exposures

This is my cool dog. Just thought you might wanna know.

On a different note...
Do any of you out there take or have you even taken Ambien, to aid in sleeping? I am taking it, off and on, and while it does make me fall asleep fast, I seem to have so much tension in my neck and jaw. I already have these problems, but it seems like it has been worse when taking the Ambien. Anyone have opinions, or info/experience with this?

Thanks all for reading, and I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!

Go Easy,
Ja:)