The final episode of the Waking Up Tired - Narcolepsy Symptoms Explained podcast features Dr David Cunnington, a specialist sleep physician and educator, who’s spent over two decades listening to patients and helping decode the complexities of sleep disorders. David shares what narcolepsy looks like from the other side of the desk, why diagnosis takesContinue reading "Why Narcolepsy Takes Time to Diagnose: Dr David Cunnington Explains Narcolepsy in Clinical Practice"
When Laughter Knocks You Down Cataplexy Explained
Episode seven of the Waking Up Tired – Narcolepsy Symptoms Explained podcast is about the one symptom that differs between narcolepsy type one and two, cataplexy. Narcolepsy Type 1 is defined by both excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. Narcolepsy Type 2 is characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness but without cataplexy. Because cataplexy varies so muchContinue reading "When Laughter Knocks You Down Cataplexy Explained"
The Shadow Man and Me Terrifying Narcolepsy Hallucinations
Waking Up Tired Narcolepsy Symptoms Explained Podcast In episode six of the Waking Up Tired - Narcolepsy Symptoms Explained podcast, host Di Spillane introduces us to Laura. When Laura first started seeing the Shadow Man — a dark, looming figure who hovered near her bed she thought she was losing her mind. The hallucinations wereContinue reading "The Shadow Man and Me Terrifying Narcolepsy Hallucinations"
Frozen Awake: Erin’s Story of Sleep Paralysis, Hypnagogic Hallucinations and Narcolepsy
“I was awake, but I couldn’t move. I could hear someone say my name—but no one was there.” https://open.spotify.com/episode/2578xNvXmyYjuiu0SdEQfH?si=7Cf34uo9TZW3R9t87O3WFg That was Erin’s first experience of sleep paralysis. She was 16, confused, and terrified. What she didn’t know then was that this moment would mark the beginning of her journey toward a diagnosis of Type 1Continue reading "Frozen Awake: Erin’s Story of Sleep Paralysis, Hypnagogic Hallucinations and Narcolepsy"
Disrupted Sleep, Disrupted Life – Disrupted Night-time Sleep
Waking Up Tired – Narcolepsy Symptoms Explained Podcast Episode Four When I was first diagnosed with narcolepsy, I wasn’t handed a guidebook. No roadmap, no real explanation—just a steep learning curve I’m still navigating. That’s why conversations like the one in Episode 4 of Waking Up Tired matter so deeply. In this episode, you willContinue reading "Disrupted Sleep, Disrupted Life – Disrupted Night-time Sleep"
Vivid Dreams. Was That Real? Narcolepsy, Memory, and the Blur Between Sleep and Reality
Description:In this deeply personal episode, Alicia shares navigating the blurred lines between dreams and reality—where vivid, realistic dreams can reopen trauma, strain relationships, and leave lasting confusion. Diagnosed with narcolepsy at 26 after years of misdiagnosis and dismissal, Alicia shares how the condition affects memory, emotional processing, and daily life. From dreaming about being lateContinue reading "Vivid Dreams. Was That Real? Narcolepsy, Memory, and the Blur Between Sleep and Reality"
Sleep Attacks: The Sneaky Side of Narcolepsy
Waking Up Tired: Narcolepsy Symptoms Explained Episode Two https://open.spotify.com/episode/1gEPacI6EevfId40oAVcHM?si=plzy4W7JRpysNK5xMjlg-w A sleep attack or micro sleep doesn’t come upon a person with narcolepsy with no warning. They will already be feeling quite sleepy. Unless they realise they are drifting off, they will fall briefly into a micro sleep. In this episode, Jana, shares her powerful journeyContinue reading "Sleep Attacks: The Sneaky Side of Narcolepsy"
Irresistible Urge to Sleep – Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)
Waking Up Tired - Narcolepsy Symptoms Explained Podcast Episode One One symptom that every person with narcolepsy experiences is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, or EDS. It’s not just feeling tired — it’s a persistent, overwhelming sleepiness that doesn’t go away, no matter how much rest you’ve had. EDS is often the first symptom to appear, butContinue reading "Irresistible Urge to Sleep – Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS)"
Waking Up Tired Podcast – Narcolepsy Symptoms Explained
Waking Up Tired, the podcast that explores narcolepsy through the lens of lived experience
World Sleep Day: Make Sleep Health a Priority
World Sleep Day: March 14, 2025 Friday, March 14 is World Sleep Day, and in recognition of this event, members of the Living With Narcolepsy in Australia Facebook Group participated in this awareness opportunity by answering five questions based on the theme "Make Sleep Health a Priority." World Sleep Society is a nonprofit, professional membershipContinue reading "World Sleep Day: Make Sleep Health a Priority"
World Narcolepsy Day 2024
World Narcolepsy Day: Focusing on Support This year, for World Narcolepsy Day, I want to highlight the available support for those living with narcolepsy in Australia, rather than dwell on the challenges we face. For individuals with narcolepsy, joining an online support group can be incredibly beneficial. It creates a space where you can openlyContinue reading "World Narcolepsy Day 2024"
WORLD SLEEP DAY 2024
World Sleep Day, March 15, 2024, Sleep Equity for Global Health.
WORLD SLEEP DAY
'Sleep Equity for Global Health' is this year's World Sleep Day theme. As a World Sleep Day delegate this year, I will be sharing some slides that I have created, using the responses to my questions that I asked members of the Living With Narcolepsy in Australia Facebook Group. We aim to raise awareness of the importance of sleep for physical and mental health, as well as the challenges faced by people who live with narcolepsy in Australia. Please help us to raise awareness for World Sleep Day, March 15th, 2024.
World Nacolepsy Day
Just a quick post to let everyone know that today I am celebrating World Narcolepsy Day by sharing stories from people who are Living With Narcolepsy, to Raise Narcolepsy Awareness. If you would like to watch the videos please go to my Waking Up Tired Facebook page where you will also be able to shareContinue reading "World Nacolepsy Day"
Narcolepsy & Idiopathic Hypersomnia Management Beyond Medication
Guest Speaker: Gina Dennis, CHCTopic: Narcolepsy & Idiopathic Hypersomnia Management Beyond Medication. At this month's Living With Narcolepsy Catch-Up I invited Madcap Gina, aka Gina Dennis from Madcap Narcolepsy to be our guest speaker. Gina discussed how to mitigate narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia symptoms by using diet and lifestyle changes and techniques. Gina's specialty isContinue reading "Narcolepsy & Idiopathic Hypersomnia Management Beyond Medication"
LIVING WITH NARCOLEPSY IN AUSTRALIA
I have been very busy putting together slideshows to Raise Narcolepsy Awareness for this years World Narcolepsy Day. The slideshows are a brief snippet about what it is like to be Living With Narcolepsy in Australia. I invited people who Live With Narcolepsy to answer a few questions, and have put their responses into slideshowContinue reading "LIVING WITH NARCOLEPSY IN AUSTRALIA"
Sharing Our Stories To Raise Awareness
Being diagnosed at the age of 49 to me meant that I had already lost the majority of my life and therefore I was determined to find the best possible way to get through my remaining years as a person who is ‘Living with Narcolepsy’ the best way that I possibly can.
Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence (CDH) Consumer Forum.
I am proud to announce that I was recently invited by Michelle Chadwick from Hypersomnolence Australia to become a member of the CDH Consumer Forum. I now have the opportunity to connect with consumers and other consumer advocates, to collaborate on initiatives that will benefit others within the Australian Narcolepsy communities. Health consumers have beenContinue reading "Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence (CDH) Consumer Forum."
The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was released on World Narcolepsy Day, September 22, 2022 to help to raise narcolepsy awareness. My song is available to stream on all major streaming platforms including Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, and Deezer and to purchase on bandcamp, iTunes, and Apple Music. To watch my lyric video for 'The UndergroundContinue reading "The Underground Railroad"
The Underground Railroad
Please help me to raise awareness on World Narcolepsy Day, September 22nd, by streaming this song on your preferred streaming service, and or purchase this single, request it to be played on the radio.
Today is World Narcolepsy Day
The difficulty in being diagnosed with this rare disease is why so many people go undiagnosed for many year's. I believe that not only should doctor's receive training in sleep disorders, teacher's should too! If a teacher was aware of what to look for, they may be able to help a student to get diagnosedContinue reading "Today is World Narcolepsy Day"
World Narcolepsy Day 2021
World Narcolepsy Day is only 11 days away, on September 22nd.Narcolepsy is a Rare Disease that affects 1 in 2,000 In the US or 3 million worldwide! It is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to control the sleep AND wake cycles, and there is no cure. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is the mostContinue reading "World Narcolepsy Day 2021"
Hypnagogic Hallucinations
The festive season is now behind us and I am sure that I am not the only one glad to have seen 2020 come to an end. The pandemic has had a devastating impact globally, but it has also had some positive outcomes especially where receiving health care is concerned. The introduction of phone appointmentsContinue reading "Hypnagogic Hallucinations"
Fatigue and the Festive Season
The festive season is exhausting for people as it is, so imagine how difficult it is for someone who has undiagnosed and therefore un-treated narcolepsy, a full-time job and 4 children! I always hosted Christmas lunch and to be honest I found having the family over for Christmas was a lot easier than having toContinue reading "Fatigue and the Festive Season"
Don’t Give Up
It saddens me to read younger narcoleptics posts in social media at times as I find that many are questioning their future as though having this chronic disorder is some kind of death sentence. Yes receiving an education is going to be a battle, I slept through most of my high school years, but itContinue reading "Don’t Give Up"
