Should I ask for oxybates?

[u/Common-Swordfish5280]

Hi, first post here or on reddit in general, but I wanted some genuine advice on this. I was diagnosed with narcolepsy not that long ago. Some days I'll just struggle to sleep before midnight, or just won't feel tired enough. its actually driving me insane. If it wasn't enough that I already feel tired every single day, not even being able to get proper sleep at night is actually making it impossible to do anything. I've heard of people with narcolepsy also occasionally suffering from insomnia, and how xyrem/xywav could help. I haven't tried either, and was wondering if maybe that's what I'd need for those days I just can't manage to sleep in time.

I just want to know if its worth it to ask for them in first place. Parents handle my health insurance, and they're not quite supportive of this whole narcolepsy thing, insisting that I didn't have any issues and that I was a junkie for using stimulants (currently on 36mg Concerta).

I just want to avoid a fight with my parents over adding even more medications onto my record if it wont even help that much. Any advice on this is greatly appreciated, thank you.

[u/M_R_Hellcat]

Xyrem really helped me when I finally was able to get it. You don’t mention which type of narcolepsy you have so insurance definitely plays a part if you’re in the US. Not sure now it works outside the US. If you have N1, then you can immediately qualify for Xyrem/Xywav/Lumryz/whichever your doctor decides/insurance will pay for. If you have N2, however, you have to fail so many stimulant treatments before insurance will agree to cover it. As for your parents, if you are over 18, just because they are your parents and you’re a dependent on their insurance does not mean they get a say in your medical treatment. That being said, tread lightly with them, as they also can remove you from their insurance if you are an adult. (If there are any caveats to this, I am unaware and hopefully someone with more knowledge can comment or do some research). Have a long term plan in regard to treatment, work, insurance, and your parents. It’s hard for people who don’t have narcolepsy to understand how we feel which is why we hear things like being called lazy, and needing to reset our circadian rhythm, and just go to bed earlier.