Rachel Nesmith was diagnosed with narcolepsy in 2002 at the age of 21 after experiencing various symptoms since 9/11/2001. She had a severe case of narcolepsy with cataplexy. Some of her symptoms included excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy where her knees would give out, hypnagogic hallucinations, and disrupted nighttime sleep. After a sleep study and multiple sleep latency test, she was formally diagnosed with narcolepsy. While her symptoms have improved with treatment, she still experiences symptoms daily and has not been able to drive since 2003 due to the severity of her cataplexy.

1. Rachel Nesmith

2. From the Suburb
Duncanville, TX
Lived with Sister,
Parents and Pets
Great Student with plans of
becoming a Physical Therapist,
Later Psychologist

3. When the Twin Towers came
down, my life crashed all around.
9/11 terrorists began WWIII I felt
the heat, fire, pain and heard the
noise of intruders shooting
firebombs at my family and I, as
we tried to flee
Dying Rat crawling up my leg in
bed
9/13/2001

4. Funny feeling of knees giving out
started November 2001
seemingly triggered by laughter,
anger
Grocery Store Collapse
Pomegranate tale- ‘The secret word
is Pomegranate.’
Difficulty keeping up in college,
taking notes very challenging,
extremely sleepy feelings led to
illegible scribbles.

5. Neurologist Ordered a Sleep Study
December 2001
Diagnosis was delayed when my
insurance excluded sleep disorders.
Grandma Suggested my collective
symptoms were actually Narcolepsy,
she was right. Knowing what we
suspected it was helped a lot and my
doctors really listened, and finally on
Feb 2, 2002 I was diagnosed. I had a
severe case of the condition at age 21.

6. ▪ Chronic, neurological disorder of the sleep-wake cycle
▪ Effects 1 in 2,000 people

7. ▪ Excessive daytime sleepiness
▪ Cataplexy
▪ Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations
▪ Sleep paralysis
▪ Disrupted nighttime sleep

8. Polysomnogram & Multiple Sleep Latency Test

9. ▪ Wake-promoters or stimulants for daytime sleepiness
▪ Sedatives for nighttime sleep
▪ Antidepressants for cataplexy
▪ Scheduled daytime naps

10. My symptoms of narcolepsy have
improved but I still experience
symptoms daily. Due to the severity
of my cataplexy, I have not been able
to drive since 2003.
Most people don’t seem to know
much about narcolepsy at hospitals
which is especially challenging.
**Supportive parents, husband, and
playful 3yr old toddler. They keep me
strong even when I feel down.

11. I believe as Eleanor Roosevelt said, The Future belongs to those
who believe in the beauty of their dreams. I take each day at a
time, focused on the silver linings of having Narcolepsy with
Cataplexy: increased Empathy, wonderful friendships, and an
unbreakable determination to make life better for everyone living
with invisible disabilities.

12. ▪ 3-5 year average between symptoms and diagnosis
▪ Under 50% of people currently diagnosed