2018 — Kayla M Douglas

12Dec 2018 by Kayla 4 Comments

Breaking up with Keto – Stopping the Ketogenic Diet

So, I've got a theory about stopping the ketogenic diet. It is a theory that I am ready to test out; my mind is more powerful than my body. You see, my whole life I've worked to try to fix my body, trying to do things to it to make it better, to change it. For as long as I can remember, I have fought with my body. Today I've decided to surrender. Narcolepsy My parents and I searched for something to explain my insurmountable sleepiness and lack of energy. When I was about 13 years old, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that disturbs the sleep-wake cycle. But little did I know, its more than just feeling sleepy. I took that diagnosis and wrapped it…

13Nov 2018 by Kayla No Comments

Cataplexy in a Cathedral

Narcolepsy, Personal Story, Travel

Sharing a plate of fried watercress, a heaping dish of tea leaf salad, and a bowl of eggplant curry, I found myself saying more about my chronic illness than I ever expected to disclose on a first encounter. I heard myself explaining things my body does in words I had never strung together verbally before. Maybe it was the second glass of wine, or maybe it was the humid air, the colorful Myanmar decor, and the attentive listener on the other side of the able. He seemed genuinely interested in how a person with narcolepsy had come to travel as a lifestyle choice. (more…)

31Oct 2018 by Kayla No Comments

Scared of the Dark: The Narcolepsy Symptoms That Nobody Talks About

Narcolepsy, Personal Story

One night around age eight, I was lying in bed thinking of the fun I had had that day with my family. I opened my eyes slowly to see a huge, hairy, manlike monster hovering above me on the ceiling. His appendages stuck to the plaster effortlessly, like a giant spider, and I could see his gigantic teeth waiting to sink into my flesh. I was completely paralyzed. So much that I couldn’t even scream. I lay there on my Care Bear sheets, trapped in my own body, unable to even clench my fists, or turn my head away from the terrifying sight above me. He dropped onto my chest, and I could feel the enormous pressure of his weight. The next thing I knew, it was morning. As a…

12Oct 2018 by Kayla 5 Comments

Digital Nomad or Hobo – Which label fits?

Mindset, Narcolepsy, Personal Story

Am I a digital nomad or hobo? The label of "Digital Nomad" generally calls up images of social media influencers, relaxing on the beach, posting pictures that make everyone jealous. While I do enjoy sharing my travel experiences, I am not quite on that level. But am I a hobo? I am an English teacher who just happens to work online. I use that advantage to travel as much as possible. But how did I get here? Was it a choice? Which phrase fits, digital nomad or hobo? (more…)

01Oct 2018 by Kayla 1 Comment

Accepting Narcolepsy

Mindset, Narcolepsy

I believe I have tried almost everything available to treat narcolepsy. I have a strong desire to feel better. Like many people with narcolepsy, I am not lazy. I am actually overly ambitious and often do more than my body can handle and later face the consequences. I think I have worked pretty hard to feel as good as I feel now, but I always desire to feel better. (more…)

13Sep 2018 by Kayla No Comments

People First Language Matters

Narcolepsy

Have you ever been called names? Have you heard someone describe you in a way that didn’t sit well with you? Your first instinct may have been to go back to the schoolyard saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Unfortunately, that is not true. (more…)

26Jun 2018 by Kayla No Comments

Tips for Riding a Sleeper Bus in Vietnam

Personal Story, Travel

Before my sleeper bus experience, I had never imagined being asked to take my shoes off as I entered a public bus. But when you get on an overnight sleeper bus, it makes a lot of sense. An attendant held out a black plastic bag for me to place my shoes in. I continued barefoot down the aisle to my very own reclined sleeper seat. (more…)

22Jun 2018 by Kayla No Comments

Healthcare in Auxiliar Program Spain

Narcolepsy, Personal Story, Travel

In 2014 I applied for the Ministries of Spain Auxiliares program on a whim. I didn't know the healthcare in the auxiliar program in Spain would be so great! I was also considering teaching in Asia for programs like EPIK and HESS. I had promised myself I was going wherever I got an offer first because I had to get out of the USA. The day the email came telling me I had a position in Spain I couldn’t believe it. I was going to be living in Ibiza! Everything happened pretty quickly since I got my carta mid-summer. I had to quit my full-time job, sell all my furniture, get the Spanish student visa in Chicago, and physically move to Spain! But of course, there were some worries. I…

22Jun 2018 by Kayla No Comments

Low Carb Snacks On the Go

Diet, Travel

We all know we work hard to maintain our ketogenic lifestyles while we are at home. So why not continue that habit when we travel? Sure it takes a little extra effort, but we do keto for the amazing health benefits, and we want to feel good and enjoy the trip whether it’s for work or pleasure. So here are some quick and dirty tips for keto travel if you are feeling uninspired! Remember not everyone has the same restrictions or macro goals so check the label before you pack!Low carb road trip snacksLow carb road trip snacks with a coolerKeto airplane snacksLow carb non refrigerated snacksLow carb snacks to buy at the grocery storeLow carb snacks that require preparationKeto product recommendationsKeto travel tips Low Carb Road Trip Snacks Beef JerkyNut…

06Jun 2018 by Kayla 1 Comment

5 Things You Can Do NOW to Manage Narcolepsy

Lifestyle, Narcolepsy

Can Narcolepsy be cured? While narcolepsy can still not be cured, there are lots of things we can do to manage narcolepsy. There are so many different narcolepsy treatments available, we don't have to give up. Everyone has to find the narcolepsy treatment options that work for them! Some people choose to treat narcolepsy naturally. There are ways for us to mitigate our symptoms without taking narcolepsy medication. We want to beat the brain fog, fight fatigue, and take back control over how we feel. This list is about short-term goals! Try one or more of them NOW! (more…)

26Apr 2018 by Kayla No Comments

Keto Bread!

Diet, Lifestyle

If keto bread were easier, maybe it would be easier to stay keto. Day 3 of Intermittent Fasting, and although I can't say I have any additional mental clarity, it does seem to make the mornings easier. I don't feel pressured to cook breakfast, and of course, there is no clean up then either. Cooking tired is always a drag anyway. Generally, I am unimaginative and eat fried eggs over and over again. [caption id="attachment_1160" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Photo by author[/caption] I have to say I was feeling pretty excited about my discovery yesterday! I have done some quick googling, but it doesn't seem like this is one of those commonly known keto things that I have just been missing out on. It is the easiest, quickest to make “keto bread” I…

23Apr 2018 by Kayla 2 Comments

Intermittent Fasting for Narcolepsy

Diet, Lifestyle, Personal Story

Intermittent Fasting for Narcolepsy Have you ever tried intermittent fasting for narcolepsy? I would love to hear about your experience! I’ve seen the term a million times in the keto community, but I always tell myself I am doing well enough with what I have. There is no need to make it more complicated. I enjoy my early morning coffees and snacks throughout the day that fit my ketogenic diet. But lately I’ve been lacking mental clarity and I’m ready to try something new. I started looking into fasting, which seems very travel-friendly. I gave myself the weekend to wrap my head around it and decided I would dive in on Monday. Today is my first day. I have decided to start with the 16/8 method that I learned about…

03Apr 2018 by Kayla No Comments

Tips for Traveling With Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy, Travel

Don't Travel Tired Do you worry about traveling with narcolepsy? Traveling tired can be dangerous. I feel like I am a smart traveler and pay attention to my surroundings. But once the sleep starts creeping in its easy to start letting my guard down and focus on staying upright. (more…)

02Apr 2018 by Kayla No Comments

Dong Xuan Night Market, Hanoi

Personal Story, Travel

Dong Xuan Night Market was high on my list since visiting markets is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. Of course I also like to browse grocery stores looking for new and interesting keto friendly foods, but nothing has the same ambiance as a local market. Hanoi didn’t disappoint! The Dong Xuan Night Market opens at 19:00 (7:00 PM) on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and is frequented by both locals and tourists alike. Cultural Experience at the Dong Xuan Night Market The Dong Xuan night market runs all along Hang Dao Street in the Old Quarter of Hanoi and ends near the entrance of the Dong Xuan Market building. Near the front of the building, there was a stage with performances of local music. Both tourists…

29Mar 2018 by Kayla No Comments

EFT for Narcolepsy

Lifestyle, Mindset, Narcolepsy

When I say that I deal with pain every day, I think many people can relate. We all have little aches and pains that plague us throughout our lives; that knee injury from high school, back and shoulder pain from stress, or recurring headaches that can't be explained. I even include emotional pain in this definition. Physical chronic pain has become a widespread issue affecting more than 100 million Americans while remaining an invisible illness. It doesn't receive attention because there is no way to compare levels of pain or measure how much it improves or gets worse. We all can believe our pain is worse than others' but that doesn't help us feel better. (more…)