This past week it has been shocking to me how little research there is about narcolepsy. I am currently reading a book called Psychosocial Aspects of Narcolepsy that has a bunch of studies and, let me tell you, it is thrilling (sense the sarcasm). The overall idea in all of the studies is the effect narcolepsy has on the quality of life in the people who have it. I have found a few things that have helped me, but these things have absolutely no research basis...except my life.
Essential Oils
I got started on essential oils when I was sick and I was blown away at all of the uses. I started doing some research about how it could help. There have been some studies on the brain that suggest that smells actually do not help you sleep, but I have found that they help me calm down and relax and therefore fall asleep.
I have 2 diffusers, one used as I fall asleep and one that starts to diffuse about 30 minutes before I wake up.
At night I use general calming oils: lavender, ylang ylang, vetiver, bergamot, marjoram, etc. I generally fall asleep with doterra Serenity.
In the morning I diffuse a mixture of peppermint and wild orange to help wake me up.
I have also found that peppermint, lavender, and lemongrass work wonders for my migraines.
Acupuncture
I started going to acupuncture to help with my migraines but I have found that it has helped tremendously with my excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). When I first went in, my doctor didn't have much knowledge of narcolepsy. He focused mostly on my symptoms of migraines and fatigue and that has been the most beneficial. I truly felt like a different person after my first few treatments.
At this point in my life, I will try just about anything. I have no idea if these things actually help my narcolepsy symptoms or just my overall well being, but either way, I fell better.
Time for a nap...
LS
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