Attribution Error

I think I understand why my doctor doesn't want me on stimulants.  Now, I'm no doctor, but I did study psychology in my undergrad.  What am I qualified to do?  Nothing, but it was fun.  Anyway, I always remembered reading in my studies about the attribution error (I'm pretty sure that's what it was called - correct me if I'm wrong).

Basically, here's the idea: if you give someone a stimulant, and tell them that you're giving them a stimulant, when they feel their heart racing, they will say, "the stimulant you gave me is making my heart race."  But if you give them a stimulant without telling them that's what you're doing, they may mistakenly attribute their racing heart for anxiety, anger, or some other emotion, when really all that is happening is that they've been given a drug that alters heart rate.  They will then look for the reason that they are experiencing the emotion, and blame it on whatever they decide is the cause.

I have been wondering (in my super-unqualified mind) whether I sometimes experience this with caffeine.  Sometimes I will consume caffeine in some way and later I will be very nervous about something - more than usual.

This morning I experienced this in a fun way.  I was exhausted, so I chugged a soda.  A while later I found myself thinking, "Man!  I'm really excited for the nap I will be taking this afternoon!"  This was likely a strange combination of the caffeine and the exhaustion.  But I really felt excited!  I figured the excitement must be about what was on my mind, which - of course - was the nap I planned to take later.

The nap was excellent, by the way!

Coffee and me

When I was little, someone told me, "coffee stunts your growth." Since my entire goal in life was to become taller than my oldest sister, I decided that I was not going to drink coffee until I was certain I was done growing.

I finally decided I was done growing (wound up the second-tallest in my family) I was in college. By then, my lack of coffee intake had become a novelty. Whenever I said, "I've never had a cup of coffee," people were stunned. I liked the attention, so I kept up my coffee-free streak.

This became more and more difficult as my narcolepsy (officially idiopathic hypersomnia) became more obvious.

With increasing my Nuvigil, my sleep doctor's persistent reluctance to put me on stimulants, and my sudden weight-gain due to a dramatic increase in soda intake, together my doctor and I decided it was time for me to start drinking coffee.

I started a couple of weeks ago. It is quite fun! When I have that much more caffeine coursing through my brain, I get more animated. The drawback seems to be that I also get more frustrated. So far, so good, though. Maybe I'll keep you posted on my coffee antics.

Official disclaimer...

I am not a doctor. Any advice or suggestions are merely my personal opinion. Always consult a medical doctor if you are concerned or have questions.

If you ask me about Narcolepsy drugs, I might give my opinion. Or I might consider your comments to be spam - sorry if they are not, I am cautious with those.

For better advice, please go to the Narcolepsy Network forum.

The purpose of this blog is to tell my own personal story. Advice on this is really not my thing - especially since I am new to all of this.

You know you have Narcolepsy when...

...every story your boyfriend tells ends with, "she fell asleep and missed the rest."

...people who barely know you are aware of your sleeping habits.

...you're seriously considering buying that helicopter alarm clock for yourself for Christmas.

Sleep well!

The subtlety that is Narcolepsy treatment...

Next week I go back for a follow-up with my sleep doctor/neurologist. I have been on Nuvigil for a few months. About a month ago, he increased my dose. I am certainly awake more than I used to be, but I'm still always sleepy. I think it makes a difference, but the difference is very subtle.

That's kinda cool because I still feel like me, but at the same time, life is still difficult. I still feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to do everything plus sleep.

The Nuvigil also works best if I have gotten a good night's sleep the night before. If not, forget about it! I'll be out like a light!

Next step is stimulants, my doc says. We'll see!

Blogging has become much more difficult!

Well, it's been a while. Here's a mini-update:

Working hard
Still so sleepy
Gained 10 lbs (now officially overweight, I think)
Drinking lots of soda
Probably going to give up my "I've never had a cup of coffee" streak
Follow-up with sleep doctor
Increased Nuvigil
If that fails, next step is amphetamines

There ya have it! Until next time! Happy Nap-o-ween!

My best friend is getting married tomorrow!

Plus it's the first week of a new school year! I am so excited that I'm exhausted and a little nauseous. I can't wait!!!!!!