There is no perfect diet for narcolepsy, just like there is no perfect pill for it. But food is an important part of my narcolepsy symptom management. So how you can find out what is the best narcolepsy diet for you? (more…)
I see it over and over again. We fight to get a diagnosis from a doctor and then we have no idea how to accept the diagnosis. We wanted validation that what we were experiencing was real. But we didn't know how much baggage was going to come with it. (more…)
Quick Tips for Migraine Management I'm going to assume if you are here right now, you might be in some stage of a migraine so I will try to keep this as short and sweet as possible! Please feel free to ask questions, comment, or challenge my ideas about how to treat migraine naturally. I am not a doctor and these all come from my own experience living with migraine and narcolepsy. (more…)
I'm a morning person, so I wake up happy every day. And I have had narcolepsy most of my life, if not all of it. When I tell people my best hours are first thing in the morning and I'd be happy to meet them online at 7am my time, they seem baffled. How can a person with narcolepsy also be a morning person? And how does anyone wake up happy? (more…)
Perhaps you have heard from another PWN about using L-CM for Narcolepsy. If you are not on Facebook, you may have had trouble finding the information you desire about this alternative treatment. L-CM stands for L-Citrulline Malate. (more…)
Ten years ago I never would have said I was grateful for Depression and Narcolepsy. I felt like they were ruining my life. I was the victim and there was nothing I could do about it. But today I am living a completely different story. Depression and narcolepsy were catalysts that forced me to take a harder look at what I’m doing in life. Eventually they propelled me to create a life worth living. It didn’t happen overnight and it wasn’t magic. But it has lead me to live a magical life. Diagnosed with Narcolepsy But let's start at the beginning. I have had narcolepsy, a chronic neurological disorder that affects the sleep-wake cycle for as long as I can remember. When I started full-day school, it was hard for me…
If you have ever wandered through a park in the morning and seen people practicing slow graceful movements, you may have seen the art of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a companion of Kung Fu, that takes the martial art to the next level. Wuanna Zawlwin, the instructor for Tai Chi in Yangon, says many people are drawn to the health benefits of Tai Chi and like to practice the movements in the morning. Tai Chi is believed to boost your immune system and help you stay strong both physically and mentally. The direct translation of the words Tai Chi is “Supreme Ultimate.” He explained that it operates on four main levels, the muscles, energy, mind, and spirit. But when he arrived here from Germany six years ago, he didn’t…
I picked up Louise Hay's book, Heal Your Body: The Mental Causes for Physical Illness and the Metaphysical Way to Overcome Them. I wasn't thinking about what causes narcolepsy, just about healing in general. For the most part, I have a good handle on my health. I don't feel like narcolepsy has much impact on my day-to-day life anymore, and the migraines get better each time I face them and look at the underlying cause. Screenshot of Author's Kindle Notes But I figured looking at one more approach won't hurt me. This book lists a variety of ailments, suggests an emotional cause, and then gives an affirmation to help you heal the emotions that might be manifesting at the symptom. Louise Hay's Message Image by Author "For us to become…
Keeping Illness Invisible "In 1979, fresh out of high school living in Atlanta, I was ready to start my life," says Paula. "Going to school full time, working part-time, and enjoying a full social life, I never felt there was anything wrong with sleeping every moment I could. It was even okay when my friends started teasing me for always falling asleep." As far back as college, Paula remembers sleeping a lot. "Back then I blew it off as being young, clubbing, and drinking too many Pink Champales." Paula worked part-time, did her school work, and didn't think anything of spending her Tuesday nights enjoying Ladies night at Cisco's on Campbellton Road, in Atlanta. As they piled into the car, her friend Veronica would say, "Paula is going to…
Sometimes I can only see from one perspective. I have a belief and I think my way is the truth. But when I become open to shifting perspectives, I can be happier with where I'm at, without changing my outside circumstances. For example, I thought the town I grew up close to was an ugly town. I don't like the college associated with it, maybe because I went to its rival school or maybe I was just wearing the wrong color lenses growing up and made these judgements about it. Either way, it was a place I dreaded visiting and never hesitated to complain about. How I Saw "Home" When I tell people where I'm from, they have never heard of it unless I mention the nearby university, and then…
Way back in 2018, I did a post about Breaking up with Keto. A recent comment led me to revisit the post and give an update of where my journey has gone since then. Spoiler alert - keto and I got back together, with conditions. (more…)
Visualize 1. First, you will want to visualize what it is you want out of your life. Remember to take time to consider the 7 areas of life, finances, career, recreation, health, relationships, personal life, and community. You can use this audio to guide you. (more…)
On Sunday, I was on a Facebook live chat with Project Sleep to share how I live with narcolepsy. First I read an article I wrote as part of the Rising Voices of Narcolepsy program. Then, Julie Flygare asked me some questions about how I manage narcolepsy and what my experience has been like. You can watch that here. Our conversation helped me realize that I have done a whole lot more than I ever realized to live with narcolepsy. Things that I just see as part of my habits and daily life now are actual strategies for treating Narcolepsy. I know there are plenty of things that I didn’t think of mentioning in the hour we had Live. So I’ve tried to list them out simply below. This has…
A journey of self-understanding I was at a point where I would do anything to reduce migraine symptoms. I had tried everything from continuous birth control to the ketogenic diet and they had come back yet again. That's why I turned to some alternative methods that I had never considered for physical symptoms. It turns out, even my physical symptoms often have emotional roots. Before you read further, I will clarify I am not a medical doctor. I'm not trying to claim that it is anyone's fault that they have a medical disorder. Usually, I talk about narcolepsy, but today I'm going to share a bit about migraine. I had been trying to answer the question, "Why me?" when it came to my physical pain and suffering. But after years…
Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash You know that thing that has been on your mind, you thought about doing it, and then something told you it wasn’t the right time. Yeah, that one. It’s time now. I know you thought it was far out in the future, you thought maybe in a few months, or a year, you would be ready. Or that you would see a sign to let you know when its time. This is your sign. Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash If you feel like I’m speaking directly to you, that’s because I am. I know YOU have something that you want to do. Whatever has been holding you back can be overcome. I know it, and you know it. But you are passionate about it, and doing it is going to…
