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The Man Who Slept Standing

It was just another day on the ship, sailing through calm waters under the burning orange hue of a setting sun. Mr. Firat, a 30-year-old Merchant Navy officer, stood near the railings, watching the horizon. Within seconds, his eyes grew heavy—not because he was tired from work, but because something deeper was wrong.

This wasn’t the first time.

For the past few years, Firat had been battling something invisible. Something that crept into his life quietly, stealing his energy and shattering his peace. He had begun to break into sleep just two hours after going to bed, leaving him wide awake until morning. At first, he blamed stress. After all, life on a ship wasn’t easy—months away from home, family stress piling up, and grief looming after he lost his mother a year ago.

But it got worse.

His daytime sleepiness became overwhelming. Firat would doze off during meetings, even with people talking around him. Once, he fell asleep while walking, hit his head, and had to be checked for a concussion. On another occasion, he nodded off while driving a two-wheeler and had a road accident. These incidents became more frequent, more dangerous, and harder to ignore.

It wasn’t just tiredness anymore. It was a silent threat to his safety and those around him.

His symptoms had intensified over the past three years

  • He had sleep paralysis on occasion — that terrifying feeling of being awake but unable to move.
  • excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
  • Even falling asleep while riding his bike, He had experienced a road traffic accident due to one such episode
  • And during the day, even when sitting idle, he’d fall asleep without warning.
  • Though a non-smoker and teetotaler, and otherwise fit with regular exercise, his condition kept worsening.

    • At home, if he sat idle—even surrounded by people, he would nap involuntarily. He was now not just tired, but living in fear of his own sleep.

    Concerned for his safety and future, a relative recommended a reputed neurologist in Delhi, also expert in sleep medicine.

    During his consultation, Firat shared his story in detail.

    He was evaluated thoroughly and underwent an overnight Polysomnography (PSG)—a comprehensive sleep study conducted under the watchful eyes of experienced technicians.

    PSG Revealed: Abnormal overnight sleep study early sleep onset & REM onset with no significant sleep disordered breathing .

    The doctor recommended a follow-up test— MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test) — a specialized daytime study that measures how quickly someone falls asleep in a quiet environment during the day. It’s the gold standard test to diagnose conditions like narcolepsy.


    MSLT: What Is It?

    MSLT is usually done the day after an overnight sleep study. The patient is asked to take five short naps every two hours throughout the day. Each nap is monitored to check how quickly the patient falls asleep and whether they enter REM sleep too early.

    Firat's MSLT results were starting:
  • Abnormally fast sleep onset
  • 3 out of 4 naps showed early REM sleep (SOREMs)

    • This pattern strongly pointed to a diagnosis of NARCOLEPSY.

    Living with Narcolepsy and OSA

    Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. It is often misunderstood or mistaken for mere tiredness or laziness.

    Left undiagnosed, it can be dangerous—not just for the patient, but also for those around them. Especially when activities like - driving or working with machinery are involved.

    A Life Changed — Message to All

    Sleep disorders are not rare. In fact, many people around us may be suffering in silence — chalking up their symptoms to “just tiredness” or “normal snoring.” But the truth is, unexplained fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, sleep paralysis, or fragmented sleep can all be signs of something more serious.

    Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) affects millions and can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, memory problems and accidents due to fatigue. Narcolepsy, though less common, is deeply misunderstood and underdiagnosed, despite its profound impact on quality of life.

    If you or someone you know shows similar symptoms:
  • Don’t ignore excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Track your sleep patterns
  • Consult a sleep specialist
  • Consider a sleep study (PSG or MSLT)
  • Make lifestyle changes to support healthier sleep
    • In Firat’s Words

    “If even one person reads my story and realizes what’s been wrong in their life, it’s worth it. Falling asleep uncontrollably is not just dangerous—it’s terrifying. But now, I have answers. And I’m finally waking up.”

    Don’t let sleep take control of your life -- Listen to your body -- Sleep is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

    If you or a loved one is experiencing sleep-related issues, reach out to a certified sleep clinic or specialist today. Your safety — and your future — might depend on it.