I have narcolepsy without cataplexy, but have never lucid dreamed

[Zedd]

Hi guys my first post, just had a question... So early December 2010 I went to a sleep laboratory for the second in that year because I've always had problems with my sleep schedule. Staying on track with the everyday regular hours seems difficult for me to adhere to. Some months I've even had a reverse schedule, where I would go to bed when I get back from school and then sleep for however long I please. I would wake up in the dark do whatever work needed to be done and then went to school when it was time. It actually helped me be awake during lectures, but kinda lonely... nobody is up at 3:00am. Except all you weirdos trying to LD. <3 Anyways originally it was believe that I had sleep apnea, however after getting the M.S.L.T.(multi sleep latency test) tests back it showed that I went into REM sleep 4 out of 5 times upon falling asleep. Multi sleep latency test is where you wake somebody up after a nights sleep and then tell them to sleep in intervals, reawakening them after a short time. Most people eventually wake up I guess after a good nights sleep, and can easily fall asleep again after remaining awake for just under ~45 mins, and will only start the sleep cycle 1-2 times out of 5. I assume it's because their brains are ready for day-mode so it starts the thinking process again. So i was prescribed ritalin and modafinil, for narcolepsy without cataplexy (cataplexy is the sudden loss of muscle definition when feeling high emotions, resulting in the physical collapse of the persons body. Dangerous when driving, for obvious reasons.) Narcolepsy without cataplexy seems a bit of a contradictory I think, but I guess it's because I have a tough time falling asleep, and a tough time waking up. At least that's the side effects of my 'narcolepsy'. In any case the medication actually changed my life, I'm much less lazy now and am able to do things with energy. FINALLY MY QUESTION(s): How much does taking ritalin/modafinil affect my ability to LD? Are there any other Narcoleptics here that have not had any LD experiences? --I'm assuming that I myself have not had a lucid dream. I can never remember my dreams the way I want to, they always kinda just escape me when I awake, but I can always remember the 'taste' or remember in what 'sense' that the dream was about. Like whether it was about space, sex, relationships, or just some sort of feeling that I can relate with, but can't properly describe. ----In highschool I used to get very very frustrated in the mornings. When I heard my mom calling me in the morning to wake me up, often I felt like I was 'expecting' it, kinda just biding my time, figuring that if I just acted like I slept, I would eventually fall asleep. So hearing my mother calling me I'd get up, take a shower, eat breakfast, wait for the bus, and then wake up, my mother angrily yelling at me that I had said I was already awake and brushing my teeth and why do i lie to her etc. Most frustrating thing ever DREAMING about the most mundane tasks in such specific detail that you think it's real. Is this what lucid dreaming is? I mean, I figure I was controlling the dreams because I was doing exactly what I thought I needed to do, just I dreamed it. But was unaware that it's a dream. Anyways people have always been telling me that lucid dreaming should come naturally for a narcoleptic. But i'm an extremely non-visual person, ie i think conceptually all the time and never remember anything remarkable about any place I'm in unless it's connected with a strong memory. (My most vibrant visual memory is probably canoeing in pouring rainstorm chilled to the bone, because I remember just having pure instinctual thoughts of wanting food/warmth/shelter. Also cuz of lots of thunder/lightning) So my last question: Is there any particular way I can use my narcolepsy to my advantage? To be more specific, are there any techniques that you think would fit my situation best, or that you would recommend? Imma try Jeff's "Free Falling" WILD technique tonight. Seems promising. Dream on guys! Thanks for reading.

[Spyguy]

Just read up on the subject a little. It seems to be something that varies hugely from patient to patient. It could be annoying for LD because REM is a bit screwed up, especially with the bad recall you describe. I am certain that it's not impossible though. You said you went into REM 4 out of 5 times, so I guess you can very well lucid dream. I read that people with narcolepsy see hypnagogic imagenary quite often. If that's the case, then WILD is a good place to start. So it might be a bit tougher for you, but you can definitely get there. Good luck!