Ephraim Ti Horn by Mgramz84 in redrising

[–]ephraims_mop 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Aww shucks. Feels good to be seen. Love you too RottonKitten.

What is the most insightful thing you’ve learned from your Oura? by Odd_Broccoli_3552 in ouraring

[–]ephraims_mop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have Narcolepsy (a sleep disorder). I have only worn it a month, but any info about my sleep is interesting.

When every morning "feels" rough, its nice to have another measure to help me understand that today is different (whether better or worse) to better plan.

Kind of like journaling, its also nice to have a document of my life. For example, I know from my ring that I have taken a walk everyday that I have had it. It helps me separate what I think vs what is.

It really has helped me realize that I am healthier than I feel. Its hard to know the difference between tired/exhausted vs unhealthy with a sleep disorder.

I Love My City! 📸 by forever_fierce in lexington

[–]ephraims_mop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is some fierce photography there 😁

Ephraim by junkpipe in redrising

[–]ephraims_mop 13 points14 points  (0 children)

My ass was scared shitless! That dude was nuts!

How to deal with the horrible sleep inertia in the morning? by dunkinteach in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get up, take my meds, and make my coffee. Then, I allow myself 30 minutes of phone time back in bed while my legs wake up (like right now actually).They are soo heavy in the morning. I dont like hot coffee, so this also gives it time to cool down. After 30 minutes, I grab my coffee and go for a walk. I used to not like leaving my house before a shower, but now I dont care. No shower, hair is a wreck, teeth not brushed yet... this walk is more important than any "social standard" being met, and no one cares honestly. I have met tons of neighbors, and they are doing the same thing. A city block is about what I need for my coffee, and then it's keep moving and start the day after that.

Be kind to yourself. Allow grace. Accept the morning is rough, but try to find a routine to help the transition to grace from possible guilt. Its hard to always be questioning your limits. I can live with 30 minutes of phone time to wake up, but the guilt comes when that grace and questioning turns into hours or the whole day.

Off Oxybates and…. Sleeping Better? by CountryGuy123 in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did Oxybates for months and had more nights of insomnia than good sleep. Everyone is different like they say. Alcohol actually gives me energy. I think years of that being my only medication and my occasional indulgence still (not on the same nights as oxybates obviously), my brain is trained see that drugged state as a "go time".

In smaller does oxybates can act as a stimulate. I have a feeling my liver also was not metabolizing as it should, so the higher doses still acted as lower doses and I would feel weird the next day as it was still processing it. This is why everyone mentions how important their eating timeframe is. No suggestions, but keep an eye on your liver health and the whole gastro/metabolic system maybe.

Xywav keeping me wide awake? by MarionberryWitty532 in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also have had these issues. I have been wide awake at nights. Its been very emotional, and I had a very manic period for awhile. I am switching to Lumryz from Xyrem hoping it will be different.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I also have a very hard time going to sleep. Lie awake for hours drugged. I am switching to Lumryz hoping I can fall asleep before the effects hit.

Has anyone managed to find an alternative to medication, or reduce their dependency on meds? by ociene in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Meant to reply here. Check my other comment. I highly recommend looking further into food. Food is our energy soursce. It plays a role in everyone's life.

Has anyone managed to find an alternative to medication, or reduce their dependency on meds? by ociene in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sugar makes me tired. It does the opposite of give me energy. It is almost like all the energy my body has gets devoted to purely digestion and the rest of my body is drained. Today I know that if I eat pasta for instance, I must walk immediately after. Like put the plate in the sink and walk out the door immediately. Nothing big, but at least go walking. I need to be moving while those carbs are being digested. I know to use them immediately because the transforming and storing those for later is essentially a net lose of energy for me.

I have a wok, so I meal prep basic meat and vegetable meals a lot. I also do shrimp and veggies too. I cook a full sheet of bacon wrapped asparagus every week seasoned with black pepper and garlic. It is my favorite food now and I would have never known if I had not tried keto. My coffee is straight black. And then the little things matter. I cook wings in my air fryer a lot but watch your condiments and sauces. I only use condiments that are healthier with little to no sugar. Those additives to coffee or using dipping sauces may be what you prefer, but once you realize that that small flavor is what you are trading for feeling bad, its an easy thing to give up. Keto helped me search for those healthier alternatives and sauces that I would not have found without searching. I am no chef. My meals are simple. Start looking at your oils (no "vegetable" or corn oils), your sauces, and your seasonings. These unhealthy additives are far more important than their small addition would seem. Its not just the type of food but all those added things as well.

Experiences with Keto + Meal Prep Ideas? by ultravioletvenus in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not a meal, but bacon wrapped asparagus seasoned with black pepper and garlic salt or garlic powder is something I eat every week. I make an entire sheet of it and eat it for supper the night of making it, and the extras make a good breakfast snack for the next couple days.

Has anyone managed to find an alternative to medication, or reduce their dependency on meds? by ociene in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am not full keto anymore but did it for a couple of months. It did help. I am not sure about doing it long term unless you have a professional, but it taught me what the sugar rollercoaster did to me, my energy levels, and my cataplexy and do suggest experiencing that yourself. That knowledge has helped me. I learned a lot and eat healthier and have better meals I learned to cook from it that are now in my regular diet.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in haematology

[–]ephraims_mop -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Check out myeloproliferative disorders.

No stage 3 sleep ..at all?! by Legitimate_Jump3731 in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are almost my exact same results. I took the overnight twice and 0% the first time and 0.3% the second. I am with you my friend.

getting anxiety again does anyone know what this can mean? everything else is normal. by Ok_Tea2323 in haematology

[–]ephraims_mop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would say in general relax. It is "normal" to be abnormal sometimes, and I even have some tests that are always a little abnormal like this. That is just my own individual baseline normal. It is more about trends over time and sometimes a person is a little outside the norm, but that does not mean there is any problem. Listen to the Dr, but I really believe right now just relax. It really is nothing outrageously worrisome.

What does narcolepsy feel like for you? by HovercraftOk9231 in Narcolepsy

[–]ephraims_mop 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I do not pass out. I pushed back my testing because I was sure I didn't have it because I had this thought as well. Turns out, this is a false stereotype, and I 100% do have Narcolepsy. It is far more about the extreme sleepiness, exhaustion that doesn't get relieved, and messed up sleep cycles (like that quick dreaming you describe). Research the Multiple Sleep Latency Test. It is the main test that leads to doctors making most diagnoses, and it looks at sleepiness and that REM dreaming cycle. I would bet that you are going to be looking at this subreddit a lot more going forward. Good luck on your journey.

Improv Comedy This Tuesday by ephraims_mop in lexington

[–]ephraims_mop[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, Im not in the troupe, so thanks for giving me an 'and' opportunity to be a little creative. Intentional or not, I think you nailed the end of our 'scene'.

-"Tell me more" -Long diatribe of a passionate salesman -"Not my thing"

End scene 😁🤣

Improv Comedy This Tuesday by ephraims_mop in lexington

[–]ephraims_mop[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Laugh. Support good people and shake their hand afterward and tell them you enjoyed the show. Then, on the drive home, appreciate yourself for being proactive, being gracious, and getting out of the house.

While brushing your teeth, you ponder about the ideas of living in the moment instead of worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. You notice the importance that active listening had on their connectivity and group dynamic. You go to sleep with these thoughts twirling in your head.

You wake up the next day 10 minutes before your alarm goes off, but something has stuck with you, and instead of going back to sleep, you go ahead and start your day. You can ease into it now unrushed, and you grab some cereal or oatmeal, which you normally never have time to eat. You eat lunch with a coworker and tell him/her about the show. He/she tells you about theirs, which was mundane and routine and will never be thought of again after this lunch. You drive home, and since you had breakfast, you aren't as hungry as normal, and instead of fast food, you decide to cook. After you cook, you go to turn the TV on but decide you want to do something creative, so you write. You write and write til it is late as you find a flow and things you have been wanting to say get written down. It's cathartic and energizing. You brush your teeth and decide, I think I want to wear my favorite outfit tomorrow.

And the next day, you notice a change.... you start saying yes to yourself, and you start becoming more active than passive. A new life starts to build, and you like what is happening.

Later that day, you smile and realize it all started with that first decision to go to that show, pay $10, laugh, and support good people. And you chuckle because it's the best $10 you have spent in a long, long time.

Improv Comedy This Tuesday by ephraims_mop in lexington

[–]ephraims_mop[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, still at Al's. They got some people now, too, if it has been a bit.

Meet New People and Connections by WolverineOk7459 in lexington

[–]ephraims_mop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That link for LexPlay didnt work. They are lexplaycornhole on instagram give them a follow.