Needless to say this last year has been quite a ride.
I began the year finding out that I did, indeed, have Narcolepsy. I began a medication that made HUGE improvements in my life.
Then in July we found out we were going to have a baby. So 6 months after my life changing diagnosis, I stopped my medication.
For the first two trimesters I have little to no N symptoms. However, this last trimester has brought them all flooding back.
I haven't posted in a while so I'll try to catch everyone up. I am now 30 weeks along. Finally looking and feeling pregnant. Lots of new symptoms (heartburn, leg cramps, back aches, difficulty sleeping). The last symptom was the most surprising to me. For someone who can normally fall asleep on demand, it's weird for me to be tired, exhausted really, but not be able to fall asleep when I lay down for a nap. I know that's what normal people go through, but it's so irritating. I also can't sleep through the night which is making each day a little harder.
I don't feel like I'm huge right now, I still feel like I'm not showing that much, just enough for people to know that I'm pregnant and not just chunky. However, my body is telling me differently and I now have to have my wonderfully understanding husband help me stand up from the couch or any other soft surface. He's great about helping me, even if he does giggle a little while doing it.
We haven't started working on the house yet for the baby and that has me a little stressed. But Brian did graduate from college a few weeks ago so that is a HUGE relief. Now we can hit the house hard and make it wonderful for baby.
So far all of my doctors appointments have pointed toward a healthy baby, and by the amount of movement I feel, a very bouncy baby. I did the glucose test and I don't have diabetes, but I am anemic, so I get to take an iron tablet daily. Nothing terrible.
We had our 3D ultrasound and that was pretty cool, like normal baby boy didn't want to cooperate, but we were able to get a couple face shots and I believe he looks just like his daddy, which makes me super happy! Now we just have to see if he gets his curly brown hair. :)
I think as the new year comes in the only thing I'm really worried about is being a good mom. I think it feels real that I'm pregnant, there's no denying that, but fully grasping that in 2 months we will have a baby that we are responsible for raising and teaching is so hard.
I want nothing more than to be a good mom and part of that is really wanting to breast feed as long as possible. This last trimester though has me seriously wondering if I will be able to. I worry that as soon as he is here, my sleepiness will come flooding back and I won't be able to function as a mom without my medication. I try to keep that in check, thinking that I made it through college without medication, but somehow motherhood seems like it will be more mentally, physically, and emotionally draining than college.
My goal is to do what I can. Try it and if my baby and my husband are suffering more for me not being on medication, then I go back. If I can hold out for at least a few months, I'd be thrilled.
This probably sounds awful, but I really am ready to start my medication again. I only had 6 months of it before this pregnancy, but it's amazing how different it made me feel.
I'm learning to understand my limits and try to take things one at a time. I have an amazing husband that has stuck by me, very patiently, I might add, through this entire process. I also have amazing parents and family who have been nothing but encouraging and supportive, and a small but mighty group of friends who have been there to help and encourage and make me have some fun.
I can't wait for this little boy to meet all these people, there may not be a ton of them in numbers, but I know he will truly be loved.
Symptoms: Heartburn, achy back and hips, leg and foot cramps, extreme tiredness, insomnia (if you can call it that, more like normal people sleep)
Cravings: Chocolate (doesn't help the heartburn part), Lucky Charms, and food in general
Monday, December 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
It's a.....!
Boy!
We found out last week that we are having a little boy! We are so excited! He is not a shy little guy at all. It took an hour to get all the measurements because the little guy is a wiggly little worm. It was incredibly amazing to see him. I can't wait til we have our 3-D ultrasound and of course until we meet our little man.
We also found out that we are right where we initially thought our due date was (3/8/13), rather than a week later like the doctors originally thought.
As for symptoms, things are going great. I still get nauseous in the mornings, but just until I eat something, then I am set for the day. My sleepiness from the narcolepsy is greatly reduced, however, I am still exhausted from what I'm assuming is normal pregnancy exhaustion. It's weird, but I can tell the difference between the different types of tired. They are two very different feelings that have different effects on my motivation and productivity.
There really isn't mush other news, just still trying to get the house ready and myself ready. I have taken one step toward getting ready for baby. My registry is started! YEY! It's a little overwhelming with all the stuff that babies need, but it's fun to look at everything. Once you get past the scary amounts of bottles and pacifiers and other not cute stuff, you get to pick out the cute bedding and highchairs and clothes. That stuff makes me smile.
We found out last week that we are having a little boy! We are so excited! He is not a shy little guy at all. It took an hour to get all the measurements because the little guy is a wiggly little worm. It was incredibly amazing to see him. I can't wait til we have our 3-D ultrasound and of course until we meet our little man.
We also found out that we are right where we initially thought our due date was (3/8/13), rather than a week later like the doctors originally thought.
As for symptoms, things are going great. I still get nauseous in the mornings, but just until I eat something, then I am set for the day. My sleepiness from the narcolepsy is greatly reduced, however, I am still exhausted from what I'm assuming is normal pregnancy exhaustion. It's weird, but I can tell the difference between the different types of tired. They are two very different feelings that have different effects on my motivation and productivity.
There really isn't mush other news, just still trying to get the house ready and myself ready. I have taken one step toward getting ready for baby. My registry is started! YEY! It's a little overwhelming with all the stuff that babies need, but it's fun to look at everything. Once you get past the scary amounts of bottles and pacifiers and other not cute stuff, you get to pick out the cute bedding and highchairs and clothes. That stuff makes me smile.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Dancing Baby
So, you know that Ally McBeal episode with the dancing baby? Well I feel like that's what's going on in my tummy. Nut may only be 18 weeks along but he hits and kicks and wiggles a LOT. While I have only been able to feel him/her for about a week, there is already a noticeable schedule. Mid-morning and evening are the prime moving times.
It was pretty cool because on the day that I first felt something, Brian was able to feel it too. His smile was priceless.
In two weeks we find out what we are having! I am so impatient. I want to know so bad.
In other news, I decided to take a break from my Master's program. The decision is a combination of lack of medication with the pregnancy and it being harder to stay motivated and being harder to focus in classes and the realization that I don't know that I want to be a counselor. So, I am taking some time to focus on me and my husband and the baby and figure out what I really want to do.
So far, the Narcolepsy is staying pretty well under control. Driving doesn't seem to be quite as bad, and while my sleepiness is still pretty high, my motivation is higher than normal so I am able to get some things done around the house. It's still a constant battle day to day, but I am making it.
Current Cravings: Anything food, more specifically doughnuts, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and fruit.
Current Symptoms: Indigestion
In case you don't know the dancing baby....here's a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqPqAOCDd5Y&noredirect=1
It was pretty cool because on the day that I first felt something, Brian was able to feel it too. His smile was priceless.
In two weeks we find out what we are having! I am so impatient. I want to know so bad.
In other news, I decided to take a break from my Master's program. The decision is a combination of lack of medication with the pregnancy and it being harder to stay motivated and being harder to focus in classes and the realization that I don't know that I want to be a counselor. So, I am taking some time to focus on me and my husband and the baby and figure out what I really want to do.
So far, the Narcolepsy is staying pretty well under control. Driving doesn't seem to be quite as bad, and while my sleepiness is still pretty high, my motivation is higher than normal so I am able to get some things done around the house. It's still a constant battle day to day, but I am making it.
Current Cravings: Anything food, more specifically doughnuts, waffles, biscuits and gravy, and fruit.
Current Symptoms: Indigestion
In case you don't know the dancing baby....here's a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqPqAOCDd5Y&noredirect=1
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Heartbeat
I don't really know what all has happened since I last posted so I will try to hit the major things.
The biggest thing is that I finally got to hear the heartbeat! That was pretty amazing. I also got my 20 week ultrasound scheduled so that we can find out if we are having a boy or girl! That is what makes me the most excited! So far, Brian and I are divided. I think it's a girl, he thinks boy. It will be fun to see who is right on this one. ;)
Sleep has kinda leveled out. I'm still tired all the time and my motivation sucks but I think I'm holding it together. I am still getting almost daily migraines but I think it might be linked to sleep. If I get a nap in the afternoon, I tend to avoid the migraine, or at least have a less severe one. I have noticed though that I do have more energy and motivation to get the house in order. This might have been what everyone was talking about when they said that you get more energy the second trimester.
My appetite is back full force and I seem to be able to eat anything I want. Which I am loving! I have also gained 5 pounds which is awesome. I was really hoping I would start gaining weight.
Current Cravings: Coco Pebbles
Current Symptoms: Migraines, Nausea, Fatigue
Looking forward to: The end of October!
The biggest thing is that I finally got to hear the heartbeat! That was pretty amazing. I also got my 20 week ultrasound scheduled so that we can find out if we are having a boy or girl! That is what makes me the most excited! So far, Brian and I are divided. I think it's a girl, he thinks boy. It will be fun to see who is right on this one. ;)
Sleep has kinda leveled out. I'm still tired all the time and my motivation sucks but I think I'm holding it together. I am still getting almost daily migraines but I think it might be linked to sleep. If I get a nap in the afternoon, I tend to avoid the migraine, or at least have a less severe one. I have noticed though that I do have more energy and motivation to get the house in order. This might have been what everyone was talking about when they said that you get more energy the second trimester.
My appetite is back full force and I seem to be able to eat anything I want. Which I am loving! I have also gained 5 pounds which is awesome. I was really hoping I would start gaining weight.
Current Cravings: Coco Pebbles
Current Symptoms: Migraines, Nausea, Fatigue
Looking forward to: The end of October!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
2nd Trimester
I am officially beginning my second trimester. With the few resources I have on being pregnant with narcolepsy, I have learned that this trimester is supposed to contain a "burst of energy." I am still waiting for that. So far, my symptoms have gotten worse. My motivation is shot and I could and it is likely that I will sleep for an entire day. Although, in my defense, the almost daily migraines don't help my need to nap.
I was excited for other symptoms to lessen as well. That has not happened. While my appetite is back and I'm able to eat salty foods again, my nausea has turned into full on morning sickness. I'm hoping that since I am still so early in the trimester that everything will even out and things will go smoothly here pretty soon, but I've never been known to be an optimist.
I started school again last week. So far, so good. I am super stressed about that since I don't have medication to keep me awake and focused during classes. I am also stressed about everything we need to get done with the house before March. While March still seems so far away, I know it will take all of that time, if not more, to finish all the projects. Luckily, we are going into winter which means we will be stuck at home for the most part with nothing better to do than put down tile, paint, fix bathrooms, and whatnot.
We did have our first ultrasound at 10 weeks. That really made it real for Brian, I'm still feeling kinda weird. I know it's real, but it's still kinda dream-like (yes, even with all the obvious symptoms). I'm looking forward to my future appointments and being able to have updates. I figure eventually those will help make it more real.
One of my biggest dislikes about all of this nausea and morning sickness is that I can't stand on my feet for long periods of time which means it is hard for me to cook. I love cooking for Brian and I and since we found out, I have done very little cooking. I have a ton of recipes I'd love to try, but actually prepping and cooking is a near impossible task. I can't wait to start cooking again.
Well, I guess that's all I have for now. I need to get to the pharmacy and pick up my happy anti-nausea pills so I can get to cleaning this house before Brian gets home from his hunting weekend. Poor guy did so well hunting and I'm not going to be able to stomach cooking or eating what he brings home. At least he knew well enough in advance to ask so he didn't bring home a bunch of extras. I think he's going to leave most of what he has with family. He's such a good husband.
*I just re-read this post and it seems a lot more down than I intended it to be. Brian and I are incredibly excited. We know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but that doesn't stop us. I asked Brian the other day to help me come up with a "cutesy" name for baby. He decided to go super original and pick "Peanut" BUT, he will call it "Nut." It's kinda cute when he actually does call it Nut. I also love watching him with our dogs, it makes me smile. He is so incredible with them, I can only imagine he will be 100 times better with our baby.
Current Cravings: Sweet foods, baked goods (don't have the energy to make them though :) ), pickles, spaghettio's
Current Aversions: Nothing comes to mind, but, if I think about eating something that's when I'll figure out whether it's an aversion or not.
Current Symptoms: Dead tired, nose bleeds, morning sickness
I was excited for other symptoms to lessen as well. That has not happened. While my appetite is back and I'm able to eat salty foods again, my nausea has turned into full on morning sickness. I'm hoping that since I am still so early in the trimester that everything will even out and things will go smoothly here pretty soon, but I've never been known to be an optimist.
I started school again last week. So far, so good. I am super stressed about that since I don't have medication to keep me awake and focused during classes. I am also stressed about everything we need to get done with the house before March. While March still seems so far away, I know it will take all of that time, if not more, to finish all the projects. Luckily, we are going into winter which means we will be stuck at home for the most part with nothing better to do than put down tile, paint, fix bathrooms, and whatnot.
We did have our first ultrasound at 10 weeks. That really made it real for Brian, I'm still feeling kinda weird. I know it's real, but it's still kinda dream-like (yes, even with all the obvious symptoms). I'm looking forward to my future appointments and being able to have updates. I figure eventually those will help make it more real.
One of my biggest dislikes about all of this nausea and morning sickness is that I can't stand on my feet for long periods of time which means it is hard for me to cook. I love cooking for Brian and I and since we found out, I have done very little cooking. I have a ton of recipes I'd love to try, but actually prepping and cooking is a near impossible task. I can't wait to start cooking again.
Well, I guess that's all I have for now. I need to get to the pharmacy and pick up my happy anti-nausea pills so I can get to cleaning this house before Brian gets home from his hunting weekend. Poor guy did so well hunting and I'm not going to be able to stomach cooking or eating what he brings home. At least he knew well enough in advance to ask so he didn't bring home a bunch of extras. I think he's going to leave most of what he has with family. He's such a good husband.
*I just re-read this post and it seems a lot more down than I intended it to be. Brian and I are incredibly excited. We know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but that doesn't stop us. I asked Brian the other day to help me come up with a "cutesy" name for baby. He decided to go super original and pick "Peanut" BUT, he will call it "Nut." It's kinda cute when he actually does call it Nut. I also love watching him with our dogs, it makes me smile. He is so incredible with them, I can only imagine he will be 100 times better with our baby.
Current Cravings: Sweet foods, baked goods (don't have the energy to make them though :) ), pickles, spaghettio's
Current Aversions: Nothing comes to mind, but, if I think about eating something that's when I'll figure out whether it's an aversion or not.
Current Symptoms: Dead tired, nose bleeds, morning sickness
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Mom with Narcolepsy
My plan with this blog is well...to actually use it, but other than that, to catalog my journey through pregnancy and motherhood as a mom with narcolepsy.
My biggest motivation for this blog is that I could not find any like it. Because I've only been diagnosed for 8 months, and pregnant for 2 of those, I don't have a very good handle on everything narcolepsy. I figured it would be good to see how other MWN (Mothers with Narcolepsy) have handled everything from pregnancy to late night feedings and everything in between. I have looked so many places and there just isn't anything there.
So, here it goes.
The first two months have been...different. When we first found out, I stopped taking my medication. Taking narcotics while pregnant is not the best thing. I was delighted to find out that I was not sleepy, even without medication. Much to my surprise, I was able to take a two hour trip to and from CoMo without being the least bit tired. This was huge! I was so excited. This lasted for about a month and a half.
Last week everything changed. The sleepiness is back full force, driving is getting harder, and to add to that I have major morning sickness and daily migraines which only make you want to sleep more.
According to my sleep doctor, there is nothing I can do medication wise to help with the extreme sleepiness and I'm okay with that. I dealt with these symptoms throughout my entire undergrad schooling and my first semester of grad school. I'm used to it. I don't like it, or any of the other symptoms, but I am determined to stay positive. This is all a necessary piece of becoming a mom, and while it may not be fun, it is all worth it.
My hope is that this blog will not only help me keep track of what works and what doesn't during this new adventure, but may also someday help other moms in the same situation.
My biggest motivation for this blog is that I could not find any like it. Because I've only been diagnosed for 8 months, and pregnant for 2 of those, I don't have a very good handle on everything narcolepsy. I figured it would be good to see how other MWN (Mothers with Narcolepsy) have handled everything from pregnancy to late night feedings and everything in between. I have looked so many places and there just isn't anything there.
So, here it goes.
The first two months have been...different. When we first found out, I stopped taking my medication. Taking narcotics while pregnant is not the best thing. I was delighted to find out that I was not sleepy, even without medication. Much to my surprise, I was able to take a two hour trip to and from CoMo without being the least bit tired. This was huge! I was so excited. This lasted for about a month and a half.
Last week everything changed. The sleepiness is back full force, driving is getting harder, and to add to that I have major morning sickness and daily migraines which only make you want to sleep more.
According to my sleep doctor, there is nothing I can do medication wise to help with the extreme sleepiness and I'm okay with that. I dealt with these symptoms throughout my entire undergrad schooling and my first semester of grad school. I'm used to it. I don't like it, or any of the other symptoms, but I am determined to stay positive. This is all a necessary piece of becoming a mom, and while it may not be fun, it is all worth it.
My hope is that this blog will not only help me keep track of what works and what doesn't during this new adventure, but may also someday help other moms in the same situation.
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