Estefy's Story Part II: Basic Facts about Narcolepsy | Rising Voices of Narcolepsy Speaker Series

"Narcolepsy can look different for everyone." Estefy describes her type 2 narcolepsy without cataplexy diagnosis.
In addition, she explains about narcolepsy symptoms, treatments, and her journey toward finding her best treatment options and lifestyle adjustments.
ABOUT ESTEFY: Estefy was in medical school when she was diagnosed with type 2 narcolepsy without cataplexy in 2016, and she hopes to help dispel misconceptions about this misunderstood neurological condition by sharing her story as a trained speaker with Project Sleep's Rising Voices of Narcolepsy program. In her presentation, she shares what it was like to be a medical student with an unexpected diagnosis of narcolepsy.
RISING VOICES OF NARCOLEPSY is Project Sleep's leadership training program to raise awareness about narcolepsy while also empowering a new generation of patient advocates sharing their stories via writing and speaking. Learn more: project-sleep.com/rising-voic...

[@tinocir9598]

I felt crying while watching this video. I want to be diagnose. I had realize I have narcolepsy 2 years ago. At first, I thought I am just sleepy. But then after many days experiencing EDS, I think its not normal. I cant control falling asleep. Work made me fatigue, that makes me hallucinate at night. I start searching the internet about the symptoms Ive been experienced. It hurts to be misjudged by someone to be lazy. I trully appreciate this video.

[@petehandler9963]

I really appreciate this video! I am currently getting tested for Narcolepsy, and it has been super hard trying to find videos of every-day people who have Narcolepsy. It can be different for everyone, and the text-book symptoms can only get people so far. Hearing how someone else struggles just like you do helps people to understand how their specific symptoms are justified. Thank you for posting these videos and having a variety of different people with different symptoms!

[@notsleeps]

so how did the test go?

[@FreeLee123]

Thank you for posting this video

[@debbiecooper1677]

I am with you . I have lived with this for years and I am 45 and if I dont take my meds I am useless for the day. people just dont understand we are not lazy people .

[@angelbarrett4477]

Absolutely not!

[@edwinshaltielmagwano4733]

I agree

[@CaptainFalc0nPunch]

Happened to me after having bad case of mono for over a month in high school. First few months after I just chalked it up to recovering from mono. I never had cataplexy either, but excessive sleep and sleepiness. After sleeping on weekends for as long as I wanted, I could easily lay down and sleep again. No amount of "catching up" would alleviate it. I lived off insane amounts of caffeine which seemingly did nothing. It wasn't until it started effecting my job performance I knew I needed to do something. I was sleeping through like 10+ bed alarms and phone alarms. I would wake and shut them off not even remembering. Took many months going back and forth from the doctor until I did a sleep study. During the nap study after the main night of the sleep study, I fell into REM every single nap every two hours after waking in under 2 minutes. It's a battle but I just am glad I have some tools now to fight through it.

[@videoheaven7750]

I have suspected narcolepsy and never have been able to pursue academic career. I have exactly the symptoms described on this video. I am interested of enviromental medicine. All I can do with my symptoms is to be an artist. Option number 2 but it's still a beautiful path :)

[@yellowmellow4753]

Colombiana here with narcolepsy 🇨🇴🇪🇨

[@raqlew7021]

Where can we find the blog please?

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

Sleep deprivation has been used as a form of torture for captured war prisoners. A say a little prayer for all those with impaired sleep.

[@yellowmellow4753]

By the way ... also studying data science!