Hi everyone,
Here it is, autumn. It always was my favorite season. Since 2000 Tara has had an episode every fall. Usually spring AND fall. This time we had made it almost one year, but she went into an episode almost 2 weeks ago. It seems to me, as watching her, they are so much milder then they were when she first got them. The long sleep isn’t as long. She still feels crappy, out of it, and out of control. From my end I see a significant change in the intensity of the episodes. Has anyone else found this to be the case? Let me know. Thanks, Denise

Hi Denise,
My husband has had KLS since he was 17. He has generally had 10 day episodes once or twice a year. Two years ago he seemed to have short light episodes like you described and we became very hopefully that it was just going to ‘go away’. He then went a whole year with no episodes at all! Unfortunately he then had a very long deep episode from 23 Dec - 1st Feb 2007 and has gone into another deep episode 1st Oct. He is still sleeping now and we both feel quite disappointed. It may not be the same for Tara and hope is really important for us all. Sorry not to be more encouraging. We just keep going. -C.

Hi Denise...I have noticed a decrease in intensity for my daughter as well. She is 18 and has had KLS for many years. Even though we have gone through a very active year of episodes, they have been milder in ways. She has not been sleeping as much and the derealization does not stay as long. Even though the episodes have been more frequent and lasting longer, I feel as if it is burning out. Feel free to contact me if you’d like.

hi! Denise
Yes my episodes have decraesed with age. sometimes 3 a year; but shorter, Although I remain in a fog for several days.
I have noticed that what I eat has alot to do with me going into an episode or what i call a spin.
I have not been able to figure out what foods it is since we eat full meals (veggies, meats, rice).
If anyone feels different with food please give me a note.

From my observation of my kids having KLS episodes for many years, the episodes did become “less intense” or milder.  They slept less hours, but continued to suffer from other KLS symptoms.  Sleeping less actually made it worse for them, because there were more wakeful hours to deal with feeling terrible and yet not being able to function.  At the same time the episodes became longer over time.

Mine have decreased with age - I am now 27 (almost 28) and have had episodes since I was 17.  Last episode was february this year and before that July 2006.  This last one had changed a bit compared to the rest, which seemed to come as quick as they went - total lasting 2 weeks.  This one lasted 3 weeks but only the first week was spent sleeping.  The last 2 weeks I still felt horrible but not so much I couldn’t operate around the house.  I still was not able to go out though or resume my normal everyday life though.  I agree with Varda that the less sleep I had, the more it was that I had to deal with the awful symptoms that accompany it. xxx