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Real members of MyNarcolepsyTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Would You Recommend People With Narcolepsy Not Have Kids If They Are Undecided If They Want Kids? If They Choose To Have Kids Any Tips?

A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
New Jersey, NJ

Im a young man in my 20’s and I'm married I don’t have any yet. Id like some my wife says she definitely wants some but i worry so much about my narcolepsy and how it would limit my ability to take care of them. I wouldnt want to hinder her or my children. Especially financially or just securing their safety. I don't want to put all the responsibility on my wife because my narcolepsy makes my reliability inconsistent. Any response or tips is helpful.

August 4
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A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

Absolutely not! My 3 sons might have had a sleepy Mommy, but she had a much richer life with her children. Children will add mental stimulation that will help keep you alert in situations you find difficult now. At least it did for me. And believe me, I can fall asleep standing, driving and in the middle of a sentence! True. I would not let your sleep disorder steal the opportunity to have children.

August 14
A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

I wouldn't take back my 2 wonderful children (adults now) for anything! I didn't know I had narcolepsy while they were young. We took A LOT of naps together and they now hate the phrases "we'll see", "maybe later", or "probably tomorrow" because I never had the energy to do everything they wanted to do. It's really hard looking back and thinking of the things I missed out on all through them growing up, but there's PLENTY of things we did, memories we made, and the absolute love that you can't even imagine you have for them until you're a parent yourself. There's nothing else like it. We have conversations about it now and neither one of them feel like they should have had any better childhoods (and they are brutally honest with me about everything lol). I even raised my first born by myself for 4 yrs before I met my husband, and after my second he worked a lot so it was all on me quite a bit. In the end I would urge any person (narcoleptics included) to have children if they really want and are ready to have them.

August 20
A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

Do you have support other than your wife or are you financially able to hire some support? I don't know how severe your narcolepsy is, so maybe talk to your doctor about this concern as well. Having kids isn't easy but they are such a blessing. I would never say don't have them because of narcolepsy. You may just need to get creative in how you care for them!

August 10
A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

Definitely do not let narcolepsy be a deciding factor in whether you have kids or not. I live without kids for a very long time and was happy. I now have a son and couldn’t be happier! Please please don’t think that narcolepsy is going to get in your way of having a beautiful relationship with your child.

October 8
A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member

Definitely go ahead and have children! There are many treatments for narcolepsy. Although it is a lifelong condition, it doesn't need to run your life that long! My children are older, but I have my grandkids often. I have never had a problem. And I am the first person in my family to have narcolepsy. It was not passed down to me, nor did I pass it down to my children. Don't let this run your life.

September 11

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