(Part 2) Best products from r/Narcolepsy

Check out Howard Leigh ear plugs. Super comfortable and squishy, blocks out most sounds (including snoring partners). Couldn’t sleep at home or travel without them. I usually get a week or so out of each pair.

The Philips Wake Up light with dawn simulator alarm clock is nice. The light doesn't really wake me up but my husband loves it. It might work for you.

There's many models but here are some links:
https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Wake-Up-Sunrise-Simulation-HF3505/dp/B00E91EGDS

https://www.amazon.com/Philips-Morning-Wake-Up-Simulation-HF3520/dp/B0093162RM

You're very welcome! So something that has helped me a lot throughout the day is a new watch. Unfortunately, it's not a smart watch, but Casio makes a series of watches (g-force for men, baby-g for women) that has an hourly chime. All it does is every hour, on the hour, it gives a quick double beep. They're loud enough for me to hear, but not loud, so it doesn't draw anyone elses attention. It's just enough to draw my attention to the time. Works WONDERS!

Here's an Amazon link to one of them. They're a bit pricy as far as non-smart watches go (at least for what I was used to), but very much worth it.

I have one of these "sunrise" alarm clocks and love it! It's much more pleasant being woken up like this than jolted awake by a loud alarm.

Wake Up Light Alarm Clock, Thpoplete Sleep Aid Bedside Lamp with Sunrise Snooze Function, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079CFKMS3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_oUsZCb035TDBE

• Vitamin D when I wake up.
  
  These 2 or 3 supplements right before going to sleep lets me sleep the whole night.
  
  
• Taurine (1-2g) to sleep deeper amazon
  
• L-Theanine to counteract caffeine amazon
  
• Magnesium Glycinate (200g) amazon
  
  If I had to choose just one, I'd start with the Taurine, then Magnesium (Mg).
  
  I've noticed the MG gives me vivid dreams. The Taurine & Theanine links are to bulk powders as they offer the cheapest long-term solution. You can purchase pills but they would run $10-30/month per supplement, vs the powders costing a couple of cents per day.
  
  There's some others here, but I haven't tried them: http://main.poliquingroup.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/PrinterFriendly.aspx?ID=1041&lang=EN

The Amazon reviews, at least for the hat version of it, are not very good. Based on the description, I think just wearing headphones to bed playing an alternating left and right ear metronome would do the same thing, be more comfortable, and be exponentially cheaper.

Thanks - I've been thinking of just doing the first dose and not the second as well.
I'm starting to think that my sleep isn't as disrupted as others with narcolepsy so maybe the Xyrem load is counteracting to some degree.
It's really hard to find any non-biased literature on this stuff other than this book: https://www.amazon.com/GHB-Natural-Enhancer-Ward-Dean/dp/0962741868/

They are height adjustable so you do not have to have it standing height when a client is with you.

VIVO Black Height Adjustable Standing Desk Single Touch Gas Spring - 36" Tabletop Riser Sit Stand Station (DESK-V001A) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078WYQ56B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_q2DwCbEDT2B2T

That is the one I got. Works great, a little heavy with two monitors but nothing crazy. There many options out there though.

So I generally think self-help books are nonsense, but [this book] (https://www.amazon.com/Happier-Learn-Secrets-Lasting-Fulfillment/dp/0071492399) changed my life and views towards my illnesses (N w/ C and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). It examines the pursuit of happiness in the face of the realities of life and our propensity as humans to rarely be satisfied with our lives. The author used to teach a course (based on the book) at Harvard that was the most popular course at the university.

I've been happy with the Huawei Band 2 Pro for less than $70. It has a smart alarm, plus 5 event alarms.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074PFG5V3/

Orange tinted glasses make a huge difference for me. I put them on around 7 or 8 and go to bed at midnight.

I use these after someone else here linked them: http://www.amazon.com/Uvex-S1933X-Eyewear-SCT-Orange-Anti-Fog/dp/B000USRG90

Absolutely prefer cooler or even cold, and some cloudiness is always desired.! Can not sleep, regularly anyways, but it's so much harder when above 75-80 degrees F. If I'm in the sun even on a cool day, I'll feel it and likely get a headaches if I've not taken precautions.

-In the sun, use sunscreen, it'll seriously keep you from burning out as quick, the toll of consequences takes longer to hit.

-Where a large brim sun hat.

-Where sun glasses.

-Where long sleeve, light colors, vented (~30spf) nylon shirts.

-Stay in shade as much as possible.

-Wear a cooling cloth, that you get wet and wear on neck or head, this really helps me ride my bike in hot weather under my helmet).
https://www.amazon.com/Mission-108007-Multi-Cool/dp/B00UR4HHC8

-Drink lots of water and eat right.

TED Talk - Wireless Wake up Call

RF Acoustimeter

AAEM - RF Position

These are important for recovery.

I also have narcolepsy and sleep apnea. There are sleep doctors that are either dentists or have a dentist that can fashion a device for you that positions your jaw in such a way that keeps your airway open. Make sure they give you the thing that you bite on after you take it out, though, to prevent jaw problems. A lot of insurance companies will not cover it, but, it is worth it. If this does not sound like a desirable option to you, there are also devices that you can put in your nose that cost about $10 on Amazon. I will put a link below. I have not used this because my nostrils are too small for it, but, my dad also has sleep apnea and refuses to wear the mask, so he uses it and it works wonders.


Edit: $15

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078T7NRWM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IA25Bb9WVQ6G4

Hate to break it to you, but 15 is prime time for hormonal acne regardless of medication. Plus the acne could be caused by stress (as in, you're anxious about new medications). You'll probably have to be on the meds a bit longer to see if there are other side effects and figure out if there is a different trigger for the pimples, like diet or menstruation (you didn't specify). If there are other symptoms that indicate hormone imbalance like depression, unexplained weight change, hair loss, etc, then tell your doctors ASAP. You have probably already had lots of blood tests, but if your doctor is concerned about hormones then an endocrinologist can order blood tests.

For practical pimple help, Korean pimple patches have saved me, but they are only helpful on clearing pimples that are open/close to the skin's surface. They stop me from absent-mindedly touching my acne so that I don't make it worse. >< I buy these ones but there are other brands.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004JF3G08/ref=sr_ph_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1473684011&sr=sr-1&keywords=sphere+gadget+technologies

This one! A little pricey but it worked for me.