Woman with narcolepsy 'lives a full life' despite condition

Dorothy Young said she has not let narcolepsy stop her from living a normal life.

The 88-year-old was officially diagnosed with the neurological condition in her late 20s after years of suffering.

Narcolepsy is a rare long-term brain condition which can prevent a person from choosing when to wake or sleep.

Dorothy, who lives in Eastleigh, endured strong symptoms when she was pregnant with her first child, at age 18.

Eastleigh woman Dorothy Young has described her experience of living with narcolepsy (Image: Newsquest)

She underwent countless medical tests to receive a diagnosis and now must take around 12 tablets each day to manage her condition.

But she was not one to rest on her laurels.

Dorothy said: “I was told I must have been bitten by gnats, but I had not been abroad, and I told doctors I was not bitten.

“I went to Kings College Hospital in London and was eventually diagnosed.

“If someone were to say to me, ‘let’s go out to a dance tonight’, I would take it steady during the day and I could manage being out.

“I still decided to learn to drive, despite being told I would have an accident if I did.

“I only drove locally to the shops.

“I am very lucky living in Eastleigh as people in the town have always looked after me.

“Nearly every shop in Eastleigh I have had to lie-down in as I’ve had a funny turn, and all the staff know to leave me, and I will come back to my senses shortly.”

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Despite facing bouts of faintness and tiredness every day, Dorothy was keen to continue working – as a housewife and in a pub built by her ex-husband.

Dorothy said: “My former husband and I built the Brigadier Gerard pub and I worked there in the evenings for three years.

“I even did work with Avon as well.

“I was married for 29 years and I could go out with my two children. We went swimming, caught the bus together, and did lots of things.

“I know this is not much of a life to some people but it is a life.

“I have a nice home and friends of my own.

“For some people, having narcolepsy means being stuck at home and that is such a shame as you can lead a good life.”