Attitudes by others to my sleep problems

[Splodge60]

Sleep problems have affected me all my life. Now, at 72 I just live with it, along with a no of other severe health issues. I dare not speak to family or friends about anything to do with my health. They either laugh at me or turn the subject round to their problems only. Take my sleep problems!!! I realised last night that I probably have chronic Narcolepsy. I have almost all the relevant symptoms. I mentioned it to a friend last night, on the phone. Never suggested it to anyone else. In the past I have been on the psychological course but it was a waste of time. My friend’s response “oh no you have not got Narcolepsy, stop trying to find more things to worry about. End of conversation. End of discussion. I gently ended the call. What is the point of talking about my stuff when people put you down. Everybody does it to me especially, eg. When I fall asleep talking to people on the phone, in the middle of writing a text If I fall asleep in company - normal pattern prior to Covid - I’m just the source of humour for everyone. I see no point in speaking to a GP as there is nothing to be done. I don’t want more tablets. How do others cope with such negativity???

[JimmyJackson]

Narcolepsy is a serious condition & you should see your Dr soon do not drive in the meantime

[Splodge60 in reply to JimmyJackson]

I’m no longer allowed to drive.

[Hidden]

I’m so sorry you suffer with this ,I too have had sleep problems for years, I understand what you say about other people especially when they say that They had had a bad night ! What a joke.. it’s hard to live with this but please contact your doctor ASAP to get help, don’t think nothing can be done and at our age is taken one more tablet that bad to get the relief of some sleep take care

[Battleground]

I am 85 and share much of your attitude. Right now I am trying Gabapentin and sleeping more then I have for the last 4 years while taking the sleeping med Ambien and was picked up by the police running a stop light at 6:30 am.

I am taking Gabapentin 3 times a day and sleeping most of the time.

I will not be able to continue on this

Course but for now it feels so great to sleep again that I will continue a while and see where it leads. I read the information on the Mayo Clinic hot line and found that it might take Three weeks to kick in. What kick in will be I don’t know

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