Acrylic paint on an outlet faceplate; 2023? One of many.
I was working on this during a sleep study that would reveal my idiopathic hypersomnia, narcolepsy's little known cousin. Wild times. It's good to remember how far I've come. I'll probably post the others later.
And anyone with #IdiopathicHypersomnia or #Narcolepsy who has been prescribed Xyvaw or Xyvax - do not ever lie to your doctor about your weed, or alcohol use.
I know this may shound harsh, but you could literally die if you take these anywhere near drinking, or smoking weed. Alcohol, and weed, stay in your body minimum 12 hours (longer if you use more). Heavy users may never see a safe day to take sodium oxybates.
Your life matters. So be safe.
Get the help you deserve.
Do not mix use.
2/X
So why did I stop in August?
I have a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) coming up which is used to test for Narcolepsy.
Antidepressants delay REM sleep. REM occurs much earlier in Narcolepsy.
The referring specialist gave general prep instructions and medication guidelines but advised me to disregard the paragraph instructing me to discontinue antidepressants ahead of the test.
I take fluoxetine which apparently has the longest half life. She said for it to not interfere there would have to be six weeks between my last dose and the test and that’s a bad idea so keep taking it. I asked about the inconclusive MSLT I’d been referred for 20 years ago and if the result (positive or negative) would have been clearer without the fluoxetine.
She pointed out that at the time I also had severe sleep apnea so it’s unlike that discontinuing the medication would have offered a diffinitive result.
#MajorDepressiveDisorder #Narcolepsy
In August I stopped taking the antidepressant that I’ve been on for over a decade. I’ve been on some form of antidepressant on and off for over 30 years and always viewed successful recovery as being well enough to discontinue the medication.
That mindset didn’t really work as I had recurrent episodes of major depression, usually bottoming out in crisis before returning to meds.
A lovely family medicine resident sat me down ten years ago and asked me to consider the antidepressants as a preventative measure against relapse.
That change of perspective worked for me a released me from the archaic belief that staying on them was a failure to take action to recover.
It’s been a good ten years. I wouldn’t say I’ve thrived necessarily but I stopped drowning. I don’t think thriving is realistic, I’m just not that person and I accept that.
New story up on Medium.
“Another Sleepless Night: Tales From a Narcoleptic Who Can’t Sleep” explores the strange territory of fragmented sleep, sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and the disorientation that comes with nights that refuse rest.
Read it here: https://medium.com/clear-yo-mind/another-sleepless-night-3f90a9d90e0d
#Sleep #Narcolepsy #MentalHealth #Insomnia #Wellness #WritingCommunity #PersonalEssay
My latest piece is coming soon. Just waiting for publishing! Topics coming soon:
- Thoughts from a sleepless narcoleptic
- Pure O OCD
Find previous works at;
https://fragments-of-sanity.ghost.io/
#ocd #narcolepsy #mentalhealth #anxiety #insomnia #new #writing
Dreaming of bogwitchery
Juli O'Connor
Monstreline
Hiisikoloart
M. Drella
BartyDeCanter