This is my contribution to Julie Flygare's blogathon. I've been diagnosised 12 years, most of which I spent silently struggling in vain attempts to protect family members. I hope this helps someone, somewhere; particularly if someone is in the early days of their diagnosis and considering hiding symptoms from others.
http://crazynarcolepsy.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/dear-me-letter-to-my-younger-self.html