Friends don't let friends sleep and drive

Driving used to be easy. I was 17 the first time I remember falling asleep while driving. I was on my way home from a shopping trip in Louisville when my eyes closed and I swerved a little. I asked my friend Jennifer to drive and she did. I didn't think I had narcolepsy, I thought that getting drowsy was normal. Fast forward to college when I was 19. My mom saw me completely fall asleep at a stop light and said "what are you doing?!". I had no idea. She asked if that's happened before and I said no. The truth is I didn't know if it had or not. That's when I did my sleep study. 

Even after my sleep diagnosis of narcolepsy driving wasn't really hard. My doctor said I couldn't drive more than two hours alone. I did road trips throughout college with little issues. I usually pull over close my eyes for a minute (this is a micro sleep) then I'm good to go. Now that I'm 26 driving is awful!!! I hate it so much. Even driving to the grocery store is dreadful. I know if I blink too long I'll sleep. My anxiety kicks in to help keep me awake. It's fight or flight baby. 

Yesterday on my way home from my hour commute, I was struggling. I pulled over twice to close my eyes. It was drizzling so the conditions for car accidents in Indiana tend to increase ten fold. I didn't want to risk it. I was supposed to meet Jared on the north side of town for our dog training session but I called him and asked to meet at the house so he could drive. He said yes and asked if I'd like some tea. When I pulled up to the house he had our dog Cadence and my cup of tea. I switched to the passengers side and fell asleep in 2 seconds. I woke up to spilling boiling hot tea on my yoga pants... Awesome. It hurt but I barely woke up. I was too tired to care. I have a small red patch today where I burnt myself. It's a nice little reminder of how everyday occurrences can cause issues with a sleep disorder. 

I have tons of friends who help me out when it comes to driving. I hate it and they know I do. They often volunteer to drive out my way to hang out or come pick me up. My family only lives three miles down the road so they are awesome with me as well. I find it interesting it isn't illegal for people with narcolepsy to drive. Not that I'd want to give up my license altogether but the world would be safer. Every time I get in a car I'm being selfish. I have the potential to hurt someone innocent with my sleep episodes. I guess everyone takes the risk when they get in a car though.

I do take a stimulant which helps. It's these early night winters that really cause me problems.I'm already hoping for spring and summer and it's the first month of winter. Boo. 

Just remember, friends don't let friends sleep and drive!! Or drink or text or act a fool! Be safe out there people!