Narcolepsy: A Funny Disorder That's No Laughing Matter (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

I would recommend that all patients with narcolepsy read the book.... Moreover, sleep professionals--physicians, nurses, technologists--will benefit... -- Allan I. Pack, M.D., Ph.D., Dir. of Sleep & Respiratory Neurobiology, Univ. of PA Med Ctr

Reading your book has made me feel better about having narcolepsy. -- From a reader with narcolepsy

Product Description

This book provides accurate facts about all aspects of narcolepsy, a little-known neurological sleep disorder. It is estimated that 150,000-250,000 people in the U.S. have narcolepsy, but most of those have not yet been diagnosed. In the past, patients have seen an average of five or more physicians over a decade or longer before receiving a correct diagnosis of narcolepsy. As the public becomes better informed and more doctors are entering the field of sleep medicine, people are being diagnosed quicker and at an easlier age.

A wealth of information about narcolepsy is available on the internet, but this 166-page book is the most comprehensive, single source of information to be found. In addition to facts, the author relates her personal experiences with all the symptoms and describes how the disorder has impacted her life. It is an excellent reference source and a self-help book rolled into one.

People with narcolepsy usually have great difficulty reading a book without falling asleep. If anything can keep them awake, this book will. It is written in layman's terms, with a positive approach and amusing stories that encourage you to read on. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Marguerite Jones Utley (June 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964332809
• ISBN-13: 978-0964332805
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #553,594 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written study of a little-known disorder by a layman., September 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Narcolepsy: A Funny Disorder That's No Laughing Matter (Hardcover)

This small book is a must read for both the victim of the disorder and the professionals who treat it. A narcoleptic herself, Utley writes about situations and cases that all of us who suffer with narcolepsy will identify with over and over. She discusses symptoms, medications and their effectiveness and side-effects; the psychological effect of dealing with narcolepsy; how the family can help the victim and how important it is to have loving support; how to deal with both scary- and ever-present episodes of catalepsy, the muscle-weakness that accompanies narcolepsy, and the problems that can ruin any kind of social life. One result of reading the book is that the narcoleptic will be able to say, "Ohmigosh, I didn't realize other people experienced this," or "I didn't know THAT was part of the disorder; why, I've been doing that for years!"

The shortcoming in Utley's work is her failure to explain exactly how catalepsy affects various people...she talks about it only in vague generalities -- surprising for someone who invested so much time in spelling out the rest of the circumstances surrounding the average narcoleptic's life.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A balanced treatment of life with an incurable disorder., May 11, 1998

By A Customer

Although this book is biographical in content, it is marvelously reassuring to anyone diagnosed with Narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is indeed no laughing matter, but Ms. Utley does her best to make the reader see the humor and humanity in living with a medical condition that is viciously difficult to explain to those not afflicted.<P>Narcolepsy is a rare disorder of REM sleep, and connecting with others who have the disorder is very difficult. The author's style is insightful and compassionate and enables the reader to connect with a knowledgable member of a very sparse group.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A GOD SEND, A true inspration, there are Angles among us!, June 24, 2000

By	Tammy (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

No one can possibly understand another Narcoleptic like one. Most people don't even tell the doctor alot of the symptoms for fear they will be locked away, considered nuts. Ms. Utley is honest and frank. She has a compassion and ability to touch your very soul. I Thank God every day for her and her book. This is a must read and must have book.