1. Community
  2. Symptoms
  3. Sleep Problems

Can't control when i sleep

Posted , 4 users are following.

COYI
COYI

Hi, 

First, before i type anything else, i just want to let you know what i have Autism so i may not make perfect sense but i hope you can understand what i'm typing. 

I've had this problem for years now, i can not tell when i'm going to fall asleep, it just happens, it can happen anywhere and everywhere and it's really annoying. I've even fallen asleep literally on top of some very large speakers going at full volume, i've fallen asleep in the middle of a football stadium and on the bus, i just keep randomly falling asleep, i can't control it, it's making me feel exhausted every single day from sleeping ( i don't know if that sounds weird ) I even fall asleep while i'm talking to someone or in the middle of typing on my keyboard

When i wake up, my body is shaking, i used to think it was an earthquake but it's not, it's me that's shaking but it feels like my bed / room is the one that's shaking, sometimes when i wake up it feels like i've been frozen, i can't get up but i know... or at least i think i know that i'm awake, i just can't get up, i'm frozen

Since some of the cuts, i have lost my carers / personal assistants that i could go to the GP with so i'm unable to go and see a GP now because i haven't got anyone to go with, do you think this could be diet related too? because i am unable to cook without help (that i don't get anymore) i usually just have 1 bowl of cereal or soup a day

Please can i have some advice on what i can do to try and stop this from happeneing? i really want it to stop 

Nick

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • lily65668
    lily65668 COYI

    Posted

    Hi Nick,

    It sounds very much like narcolepsy - a known condition where you're unable to stop yourself falling asleep. Narcolepsy is usually accompanied by another symptom called cataplexy, where you suddenly become paralysed for a few seconds and drop to the ground. This can happen at any time but is particularly common when you're under emotional stress. (Don't confuse it with catalepsy, which can be a symptom of mental illness - there's no connection between the two.)

    This condition isn't dangerous but it can be treated with medication, so I'm afraid you need to get to a GP somehow. I'm surprised it hasn't been investigated sooner if you've had carers all your adult life but I'm guessing it was mistaken for autistic behaviour. You've described this so clearly in your post, I think you could convince a doctor that you know what you're talking about.

    I'm really sorry to hear about your lack of support. Have you tried contacting bodies like the National Autistic Society to see whether they could make any suggestions.

    And don't worry about your writing skills - they're better than most posters on these forums!

  • elizabeth2244
    elizabeth2244 COYI

    Posted

    Hi nick if i were you i would go for a sleep test because if you are falling asleep durring the day doing stuff then its time for a sleep test to make sure you don't have narcolepsy or sleep apnea because sleep apnea you can fall asleep durring the day to while doing things. 

    Please have it checked out because before i was tested for sleep apnea i was falling asleep durring the day 

    Good luck to you hope to hear if you can go for a sleep test 

    Elizabeth

  • Zigangie
    Zigangie COYI

    Posted

    Hi Nick,

    See if you can get a sleep test done.

    Your diet isn't great, how about buying yourself a salad bowl every now and then maybe grill a slice of goat cheese on a bit of tin foil for 10 minutes.

    Even a good ready meal would be better than soup. Have your cereal as soon as you get up and at least one other meal each day.

  • lisalisa67
    lisalisa67 COYI

    Posted

    I think you need to go to the gp and explain this or show them this explaination you wrote. You need to get some tests run and see what is going on. Maybe see if you can get someone to go with you soon. Has no one noticed this happens to you ? 
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.