I am living with hypersomnia / narcolepsy.

[Metalhead]

I find myself falling asleep during the day at random moments. It sucks when it happens at my desk job. Or when I am at home watching a movie. This is concerning since I am getting more than enough sleep most nights.

It is getting even worse now that the skies are pervasively grey outside.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Just curious. Have you ever been told you snore loudly or have sleep apnea? What you are describing is consistent with adult obstructive sleep apnea. I am not saying you have it, mind you, but as a respiratory therapist, it triggered this thinking.

 

[Metalhead]

I was informed that my sleep apnea was cured after my septoplasty last year.

 

[Jumpinbare]

I have the privalage (/s) of having narcolepsy AND sleep apnea. Took several sleep studies and airway-widening surgery to figure it all out because the apnea masked the narcolepsy. Masking isn't just an autism thing. I also have both types (obstructive and central) apnea, so it's like a triple-whammy. I have the top of the line ASV bi-pap rather than a cpap. And I am on medication for the narcolepsy.
Life's fun, ain't it?

 

[Mary Terry]

I've noticed that as I get older, I have a strong urge to take a nap after lunch. I'm retired, have few serious responsibilities, am not anxious or depressed (that I'm aware of), and I get plenty of sleep at night. Yet I want to nap for an hour or so after lunch every day. No one has ever told me that I have apnea and I'm sure I'm not narcoleptic. Is this just an "old lady" thing? Is it something I should indulge or should I fight it? I dunno.

 

[Rodafina]

I've noticed that as I get older, I have a strong urge to take a nap after lunch. I'm retired, have few serious responsibilities, am not anxious or depressed (that I'm aware of), and I get plenty of sleep at night. Yet I want to nap for an hour or so after lunch every day. No one has ever told me that I have apnea and I'm sure I'm not narcoleptic. Is this just an "old lady" thing? Is it something I should indulge or should I fight it? I dunno.

I have noticed the same exact pattern except I am about 25 years your junior and without the retirement piece. A midday nap has always been something that I like doing when I can – no matter how much sleep I get, each day brings so much mental and sensory stimulation that a midday shut down has always been helpful for me.

During the workday, a nap in a sunny parking lot in the car does the trick during my lunch break.

For me, I think indulging in a siesta each day is no problem, but, I can definitely notice the difference between this and too much daytime sleeping due to depression and unmanaged anxiety. That’s a whole different thing.

 

[Mary Terry]

I have noticed the same exact pattern except I am about 25 years your junior and without the retirement piece. A midday nap has always been something that I like doing when I can – no matter how much sleep I get, each day brings so much mental and sensory stimulation that a midday shut down has always been helpful for me.

During the workday, a nap in a sunny parking lot in the car does the trick during my lunch break.

For me, I think indulging in a siesta each day is no problem, but, I can definitely notice the difference between this and too much daytime sleeping due to depression and unmanaged anxiety. That’s a whole different thing.

I've wondered if the urge to nap after eating food is related to the amygdala or some other part of the brain's reaction to food and the body's processing/metabolizing of food. Maybe my brain wants to shut down for a while so digestion can take over?

 

[Metalhead]

What I have probably is not narcolepsy, since that is extremely rare. I did some reading up on it.

Hypersomnia is definitely a thing for me, though. My doctor suggested less time sitting on my ass in front of my TV and more time doing physical activity. My sleep schedule got all messed up with my lung infection last week, as well, and this thread was most likely me catastrophizing things when there was no need for me to do so.