HELP?! how do you manage derealization and cognitive issues?
I have narcolepsy type 2. I’m currently on Wakix, Sunosi, and started Xywav a couple months ago (still on the lowest dose of that). My fatigue and sleep attacks are improving. However, my brain function is worsening. I have derealization which i’m is common with narcolepsy; it’s been constant (like 24/7, not in episodes) for YEARS now. It’s gotten worse as my narcolepsy has progressed. The derealization and narcolepsy seem to feed off of each other and make everyday life hard. My memory is horrible, I can’t keep up in conversations, I regularly mix up dreams with reality (ie I think a text conversation really happened when it was only a vivid narcolepsy dream), and NOTHING feels real.
At first, it was just funny or quirky. But now it’s getting really serious. I had to leave a job back in December because I couldn’t keep up. I moved back to my home town so I could work with my doctors. I got a new job, and totally misunderstood my onboarding instructions that were sent to me via email. Today was supposed to be my first day, but I thought it was tomorrow. Woke up to a phone call from my boss asking where I was… I think I had a couple dreams about receiving emails with a different date on them, which led to the confusion.
A year ago, it was nowhere near this bad. I used to be great at memorizing information quickly and I was a fast learner, but now anymore. Every year that goes by, I can feel my brain deteriorate. I’m so scared for the future. Idk how I’m ever supposed to hold a job or have a proper future. Any words of encouragement or advice? Cause I’m feeling really low