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Forum » Night After Night » Cataplexy » Me and the cat

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Author Topic: Me and the cat
BiteSizeLife
Administrator
Posts: 10
Post Me and the cat
on: October 2, 2009, 23:12

My cataplexy has been my nemisis as long as I have been on the earth.

My parents thought it was me “acting up” as if it were something I could control.
I fought like crazy to hide it while struggling through school.
My first marriage was to a woman who had made fun of me on occasion

Now it’s completely different.
My Mom mom is starting to understand
I’ve been in contact with thousands of other narcoleptics (Where I thought I was the only one)
My wife is the best person in the world…she TOTALLY gets it.

I still try to hide it from the world, but I am fortunate enough to have good people around me.
andrewlf
Member
Posts: 3
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: October 3, 2009, 10:24

I think I’ve actually found the cat the worst part to deal with, it’s so debilitating, and really embarrassing in public. People accuse me of being emotionally shut down. Well…what are my options, if I go with the moment and it turns out to be a big laugh then I’m going to end up on the floor. If it’s not such a big laugh then it’s going to mean I have to be seated or holding on to something. So just another example really of how misunderstood we are.
isismehtet
Member
Posts: 11
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: October 3, 2009, 11:37

the cat is def the worst part.sleeping isnt so bad but the cat!!i live in an area that has major drug problems. i dont touch anything and yet i get acused of being stoned especially when the cataplexy is kicking in and i cant open my eyes.or falling down or the tongue biting.i have never liked being the centre of attention i really hate it and i hate when people laugh at me because im laughing at them but i dont think that is ever gonna change.people are just so ignorant sometimes.
hidengosleep
Member
Posts: 3
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: October 3, 2009, 12:19

Andrewlf,

I totally get what you’re saying. When people (especially prospective guys/dates) discover that part of my disorder involves some “emotion management,” they become judgmental. They usually reply by saying, “that’s not good…” as if it’s a conscious decision I’ve made to limit my ability to experience life. I can see their thought process on the matter. Especially since they haven’t seen the alternative (constant falls/embarrassing spasms), they are limited by their own poor grasp on the reality of emotion and how it’s experienced on a neurochemical level.

They see our diminished affect and assume we’ve become some sort of apathetic being–unfeeling, uncaring, and unloving. We resent their rash appraisal of our situation, and in the same way they misinterpret us, we automatically take them to be close-minded and to lack compassion. It really is a huge misunderstanding (due in part to a failure to fully comprehend each other’s view of the matter).

http://hidengosleep.bitesizelife.com/
nololtoday
Member
Posts: 1
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: October 6, 2009, 18:23

Ya know, I don’t think it’s so much an inability to interpret one anothers’ points of view … I feel like I have a good grasp on the outside perspective. It’s just so hard to get those with an outside perspective to put forth the effort to relate back. Just too many assumptions and stigmas.

*sigh*

s a n e i s b o r i n g
BiteSizeLife
Administrator
Posts: 10
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: October 6, 2009, 20:36

Hideandgo….

That reaction from others is a sort of how you know the good ones from the…well…not worth being around so much.

I know that look on peoples face when you tell them. I should say “looks”. The reactions we get vary, and we get better at reading those reactions.

The ones that does a slight bit of research are golden. The ones who ask questions are the ones we tend to be okay around.

The ones who give “that look” (whatever that may be interpreted as) are the ones that might not be the healthiest to be around.

The end result seems to be we can have the greatest friends if we seek them. By being around people that “get it”, we can truly be ourselves.
blaked
Member
Posts: 5
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: October 7, 2009, 00:47

I’ve found 25mg of Anafranil every other day to be sufficient in controlling cataplexy attacks. Before I was on Effexor ER 75mg, which caused me these horrible mood swings. I’m forgetful about taking meds, and you simply can’t be with Effexor. Coming off Effexor carries with it withdrawal symptoms that I’ve found to be significantly worse than those associated with quitting smoking. It’s more dismal than coming off ecstasy.

Russians really don’t understand cataplexy attacks. Usually I tell them that I’m having a seizure, which works for them. I totally hate having to muster all of my strength just to stand still. I can’t even ask for help because my jaw is the first thing that goes slack. Usually it comes out as ‘uhhhhhhhh’. My ex used to be good about holding me in one place. It was difficult for her because she weighs about 110lbs (50kg) and I weigh about 180lbs (82 kg).

I live in Russia but I’m originally from the US. I edit investment research. I’ve had narcolepsy since college, and I’m currently taking Anafranil. I don’t have access to Provigil because of the way it’s scheduled where I live.
narcats
Member
Posts: 15
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: October 19, 2009, 01:42

for those who see you and run the other way- good day…..for those who are there for you. thanks

son has a problem looks like N/C unable to get a Dx ..been going on 10 years… looking for support group in Kern country.
marcianna
Administrator
Posts: 18
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: December 19, 2009, 02:32

I gave up on giving a crap about how others will react. After several severe attacks, one where I stabbed myself with scissors, it was the last straw. I tell almost anyone if I feel like I am in a situation where I,
A: could get an ambulance called on me just because they dont know whats happening,
B: if I think I could be in danger, or a danger to someone else.
C:Know for a fact if some one has one of those ‘funny’ personalities and I dont wanna deal with it.

I get alot of people who think I bring it up for attention, but screw them. I have had to many close calls, and Im not about to risk getting that seriously injured again cuz something like that happened.

Turning up the awesome 24/7/365.
One day I will rule the world.
sleepymikerpsgt
Member
Posts: 1
Post Re: Me and the cat
on: March 10, 2010, 13:08

normaly the only time (other than few rare occasions) that cat grabs me is ….um… haveing sex. Just at the explosion of it all, it goes. I collapse, and ofcourse all my muscle are firing because of what is going on, but I have no control and instead of everything being smooth muscler contractions as a normal person could do. My body is have short spastic unvolintary convulsions. and I have been told I flop like a fish.I made the mistake of not tell a girlfiend this and in my catatonic state, i could hear but not talk, after I did not respond do her questions, so she called 911.

That was not some thing you want to explain to the paramedics, I assure you.

I live in Clarksville TN. I have Narcolepsy and I’m a sleep Technologist, RPSGT. michaelrpsgt@yahoo.com
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