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Re: Service Dog for N/C?
by (no login)So.
My worst symptom is Cataplexy. At this point in time, I'm only experiencing mild EDS, and almost no hallucinations or sleep paralysis.
The cataplexy has really impacted my life. I've only been having attacks since (we think) May of 2007. At the worst for a length of time, I was having 3-5 attacks a day up to 45 minutes a piece. The most I've ever had in one day is 22, and the longest attack I've ever had lasted for almost 12 hours, with me sleeping during it. Right now the attacks are back down to about 1 a day, and I'm only having localized, like, knees buckling or neck weakness.
But up until recently, the attacks were full body 100% of the time. Completely unable to move, for about 5-10 min, about 1 a day.
The reason I use the wheelchair is because when I have an episode, I go down very suddenly, and because I *look* like I'm unconscious, it can be very hectic in public. Plus, the ER docs said if I had any more CT scans my babies would glow! Just yesterday I was at the park with a friend, got too hot, and my knees buckled. I went down so quickly onto the cement that now I'm sporting some lovely bruised knee caps =)
It's also just easier for family if they can get me away from the situation....the less going on, the easier it is for me to come out of the attack and STAY out of the attack. Plus it makes having an attack in school much safer and BY FAR less embarrassing. I'm 17, and in high school, and while for the most part kids have been sympathetic and understand that it's just what happens, I have been teased because of the episodes. I could only imagine if I actually collapsed to the floor in class!!
So in the course of two years, my attacks peaked at about 3-5 a day, the most I've had was 22 in one day. And the longest I've had lasted about 12 hours.
I don't know for certain how much longer I'll have to use the wheelchair, but I'm sure it'll be until we have my attacks under control....I think the docs said down to 3 weeks without a single one.
Any more questions or anything you need clarification on just ask!
~Bri
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