Narcolepsy Support Group

I would highly encourage you cut out the cigs as soon as possible. If you are worried about weight gain, talk to a pulmonary dr. to see if there are ways to do this to be successful.

I have 2 uncles that quit cold turkey. But not until one had been diagnosed with lung cancer and the other emphysema. Lots of people used to smoke tobacco and live to be 90, but now they spray that tobacco with so much chemicals...

The coffee and sugar may be bad too, but I've never heard of anyone who died from it. When I do, you can bet I will quit.

I try to sweeten things with honey when I can, but haven't found a better way than coffee to get me through a slump and when I slump too long I either go back to sleep or have a C. attack.

I usually am more successful at readjusting my metabolism if I go walking about a mile or two during the day.

thanks anjr

I walk miles and work 12.5 hour shifts (both day and night I am nurse)

I know that I feel better when 'on the go' but the sugar cravings are overwhelming. Having gone cold turkey last time i gave up smoking I am worried by how long i will take to get over the craving and generally feeling rubbish stage that will come when I give up stimmulents...

It generally takes me about a week when I take a 'caffeine holiday'. But other factors to take into consideration are... is it hot and humid, or cool. Is it bright and sunny or overcast.

The first couple of days without stimulants I do fine, but then I crash and want to sleep all day, then after a couple of days my body begins to readjust and I am fine again. Then after about a week, I need to be awake when I would normally take a nap and grab a cup of coffee, then you know what happens after that, you start all over.

I am not on your case about nicotene addiction. It must be tough to kick. But, I posted one of my uncles died of lung cancer and meant to say my dad. He quit when I was young and decided it was too difficult and started back again. He died at 52, the year before his first grandchild was born. The sad thing is he quit cold turkey after being diagnosed, but then it was too late.

Now, I am always advising people to quit smoking, but only because I saw what he went through.

OMG!! I get CRAZY sugar cravings when i am tired!! (especially if I am trying to fight off a sleep attack). I am practically one step from spooning raw sugar down my throat. It's a bad scene. Nary a gummy bear nor chocolate kiss is safe when I get a craving...
I've gained 40 POUNDS in 2.5 years. That's the size of a toddler. (see my goal of "lose the toddler"). Yep, I may as well have stapled a toddler to my side.

I DEFINITELY notice a difference in my symptoms and the way I feel overall when I cut out carbs like pastas and breads and other simple sugars. But I have a VICIOUS sweet tooth. (I'm munching on Red Hot Tamales as I type this...)

And, yes, it always helps to walk at a brisk pace for a couple miles every day. (I should take my own advice).

Libby

The Stamford Medical School are currently running trials to try and find out why narcoleptics have a slower metabolic rate than others.

This coupled with the sugar cravings and the tiredness when i get time to exercise all add up to a wonderful swelt size 8 figure (in my dreams!! )

yep i agree diet can affect, i tried atkins few years ago, before dx with N, felt great on it, but it's quite a restrictive diet you have to plan well and cook meat a lot, i did it when i was self-employed and could fit it in beter with lifestyle but still it was tough to make sure i always had something ready to eat when i was hungry. others i have looked into are the GI diet and gluten-free, both of those are bit easier, more about the type of carbs rather than cutting out carbs, eg. on gluten-free you can have rice pudding, that helps with sugar cravings. there is evidence if you google about diet and narcolepsy, that cutting down, or cutting out, carbs could help. i'm just too damn tired at the moment to make an effort with anything