Personal Experience with Jet Lag and Narcolepsy Management

I traveled from London, departing on a Friday evening and arriving at my destination Australia, Queensland, at 7:00 AM Sunday. The journey was smooth, and I managed to stay awake the entire day upon arrival. However, I faced significant disruptions in my sleep pattern over the following days.

Struggling to adapt

Despite not drinking much water all day, I found myself waking up every 2-3 hours to use the toilet, which was puzzling given my minimal fluid intake. For the first four days, my body struggled to adapt. I continued to wake up frequently at night, and it felt like my body was still operating on London time. Even taking my medication as scheduled did not help initially. I went to bed at 8:00 PM, took Xyrem at 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM, and eventually, my body began to adjust.

Adding to the challenge, the family I was staying with had a very different routine. They went to bed around 8:00 PM and woke up early for work, which was unusual for me since I typically go to bed around 11:00 PM. This discrepancy made it tricky to balance my medication timing and sleep schedule, leading to some confusing days and nights.

By the end of the first week, I felt the jet lag starting to wear off, and I began to hope for a more regular sleep pattern. I found some stability by going to bed around 10:00 PM and incorporating naps into my day whenever possible. Activities like whale watching provided breaks that allowed me to rest and take my medicine at consistent times, helping my body gradually align with the new time zone.

The impact of jet lag

Jet lag disrupts the body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, leading to a misalignment between local time and the individual's biological clock. This misalignment between the internal clock and local time can result in various symptoms. They can include difficulty falling asleep, waking up too early, or experiencing fragmented sleep, as well as daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and digestive issues.¹

Doctors say gradually adjusting sleep and wake times to the destination's time zone a few days before travel may help ease the transition. Staying hydrated, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, can help. Some individuals may also use sleep aids like Melatonin, though talk to your doctor first.¹

Traveling across time zones can be particularly challenging for individuals with narcolepsy. The disruption of the circadian rhythm can exacerbate symptoms, making it harder to manage the condition. I think adjusting the timing of medication to align with the new local schedule can help maintain some regularity in sleep patterns, as well as incorporating structured naps into the daily routine to manage excessive daytime sleepiness. Establishing a consistent daily routine, even when traveling, can help stabilize my internal clock.

Have you experienced jet lag?

Narcolepsy and jet lag are distinct conditions that disrupt sleep patterns and affect daily functioning. While narcolepsy requires long-term management, jet lag is a temporary condition that can be mitigated with appropriate strategies.

Have you ever experienced jet lag? How did you manage it?