I Couldn't Stay Awake No Matter How Much I Slept, Then I Learned Why

Riley Shaw, a 22-year-old content creator, once struggled with extreme daytime sleepiness and an overwhelming need to sleep, even after getting a full night's rest. This condition, diagnosed as idiopathic hypersomnia, left her feeling exhausted and struggling to stay awake, despite trying to manage her symptoms from the age of 13 to 17.

Riley's excessive sleepiness made it difficult for her to participate in activities she enjoyed, leading to canceled plans and social struggles. Her condition also caused brain fog, making it hard for her to focus and stay motivated. In high school, she even considered the possibility of having an attention disorder but was eventually diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia by an ear, nose, and throat specialist after a sleep study revealed issues with her sleep.

The diagnosis was unexpected and felt like a breakthrough, as it finally explained what Riley was experiencing. However, the condition progressed to narcolepsy, which included cataplexy, a symptom of sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions. This made it challenging for Riley to maintain a normal life, as she sometimes fell asleep while driving and had to quit cheerleading due to becoming an unreliable teammate.

Despite the difficulties, Riley found a supportive cheerleading team in 2023 and went on to become a two-time world champion competitive cheerleader. Living with narcolepsy meant adjusting her expectations and accepting a slower pace of life, which was challenging but helped her find meaning in helping others and raising awareness of the condition.

Riley now uses her platform to speak up for people living with chronic illnesses, hoping to help them feel less alone and encourage them to seek answers.