My episodes usually lasted 10 days.
I had 2 or 3 every year in a 2 months period.

My son’s episodes last 7 or 8 days, about every 2 weeks.

My episodes usually lasted 10 days with slight variation in the time it took to fully emerge. This was the pattern from 1990 until 2006. However, this past year I’ve had two extended episodes of over a month each time. The first one late Dec 06 - late Jan 07. This last one started on Oct 1st and I’m just out now. I hope to get back to the 10 day ones again!

We are still new to all of this - we have only had 3 so it is hard to call anything a pattern.  The first episode was a full two weeks and more severe.  The next two were about 12 days but I agree with what David decribes as a variable pattern when emerging.  Sometimes we think that he is OK but then he slips back into KLS behavior and symptoms for another day or two.

My son James is 15yrs old his episodes last between 10 & 14 days from start of episode to being episode free. At first we thought there was a pattern to the episodes as they seemed to happen every 5-6 weeks. His first episode was in November 2006 and they went on untill June 2007. Since then we believe he may had suffered what we call minor episodes were he felt tired and needed to sleep for a couple of days, without showing all the usual symptoms. Today James has started an episode and the signs seem to be that this is going to be a 10-14 day episode.

without the drug “modiodal”, I sleep during 5 days and 2 week all right then 5 days out etc

My daughter Melissa has been in an episode for 59 days so far.  We are all suffering so badly.  Melissa is so so upset as she hasn’t had any glimpses of reality in all this time.  Prior to this one she had been well for 17 mths.  In the last fours and a half years she has only had 4 other episodes. They all last longer but this one is double the previous longest one. 
Does anyone have any good tips to end her suffering?

To end my episodes I know the drug “Modiodal” 400 mg which works well on me.

melissa - 13 December 2007 10:45 AM

My daughter Melissa has been in an episode for 59 days so far.  We are all suffering so badly.  Melissa is so so upset as she hasn’t had any glimpses of reality in all this time.  Prior to this one she had been well for 17 mths.  In the last fours and a half years she has only had 4 other episodes. They all last longer but this one is double the previous longest one. 
Does anyone have any good tips to end her suffering?

Dear Melissa,

I am just reading your post about your daughter’s very long episode and my heart goes out to you and your family - how dificult this must be for you.

Have you thought about going to Stanford to see Dr. Mignot and see if there is anything he can suggest or do to help?  He is a world expert on KLS and a really nice guy.  I am sure that there are some medicines that you could try.  You can contact his nurse at or call there and see about an appointment.

I hope this helps and that your situation has improved in the last few weeks.

my episodes have ranged from 3 days to a month and occur on average every 6 weeks. i’ve lost so much dealing with this, my girlfriend, 3 jobs, so many late fees for every bill and car payment, my apartment, dropped out of college, and most importantly i’m losing my time with my son.

Dear Terrel,

Sounds like you are dealing with a very difficult situation.  Have you been to any specialists and/or someone who can prescribe medication that might help?  My son’s episodes are not that frequent but if they were I would be trying some meds, for sure.  There are some specialists on the East Coast.  What is your interest level in pursing a visit with a doctor who is willing to look at options with you?

i’ve seen a few specialist and they gave me provigil which helps a little. i still have a few more visits to some doctors within the next few weeks so i’ll have to wait and see.