I'm retired now, for 2.5 years (yay me!!) but I would nap on my lunch break and eat lunch at my desk while working. Sometimes catch a little microscope on a 15 minute break. I also had FMLA with time for naps built in when needed. I was fortunate to have a private office for some of my work time ...other times I napped in my car and hoped my alarm woke me!! It generally did. I somehow kept myself from falling into a deep sleep. Some days I had to pull over on my way home to catch a nap, and most everyday I fell into bed as soon as I got home for a nap.

I’m a teacher and I have an accommodation to take 2, 20 minute naps each day. They have been helping me. The days like day when I didn’t take them all goes to hell and I’m falling asleep standing while trying to teach. The students know to say “ wake up Ms.” The antidepressant Effexor saves me from the hundreds of cataplexy attacks I was having everyday. I’ve currently been off of it so that I can hopefully begin a clinical trial for a new medication becoming no medication seems to truly help the daytime sleepiness. I currently take 200 of the modifinal and it only takes the edge off. I also have severe ADHD so I take Concerta and ritilin too.

I've read different Meds work for all of us and some have no affect at all. Each individual differ. For ex: xyrem was prescribed for me....I suffered severe side effects and was recommended to be removed from the liquid.

Bring a nurse, I am honest about when I feel like I need to step away for 15 mins and shut my eyes. I find a coworker to keep watch over my patients. If it’s too busy to step away, I have a prn adderall to take. My cataplexy symptoms have gotten much much better since starting xyrem.

I also start my day with ( 2) Modfaninil 200 mg along with fluoxentine (20mg) and just 2wks ago because My Cataplexy had gotten severe I now take Adderall. I don't like taking medication anyway, I couldn't perform my duties as a CNA , I have to be focused at all times.