For five years, Toni Eberhard battled a crushing exhaustion that doctors attributed to anxiety or low iron. Her life took a significant turn when a sleep study finally revealed she had narcolepsy, a neurological condition affecting the brain's regulation of sleep and wakefulness.

Eberhard, who was a healthy and active teenager, began experiencing overwhelming fatigue around Year 11 of high school. She described the exhaustion as feeling like her "brain was stuck in cement," with everyday tasks feeling significantly more difficult. Initially, doctors suggested low iron, and she underwent treatments including iron infusions, but her condition did not improve.

As months turned into years, and blood tests yielded no definitive answers, the focus shifted to mental health, with suggestions of depression or anxiety. Eberhard, however, felt this didn't align with her generally happy disposition and trusted her instincts that something else was at play. Despite these medical discussions, she pursued higher education in radiation therapy and attempted to maintain a social life, but the exhaustion made it increasingly difficult. She reported falling asleep during lectures, in libraries, and at work, relying heavily on caffeine to stay awake.

By the time she moved to Sydney after university, the impact on her daily life was severe. She struggled to make social plans and often felt unsafe driving due to the risk of falling asleep. Her employers were understanding, but the lack of a clear diagnosis made it difficult to continue asking for accommodations.

At a breaking point, Eberhard found a new general practitioner who listened to her persistent concerns and referred her to a neurologist. This referral eventually led to a sleep study, a diagnostic tool she hadn't realized existed. After a lengthy waiting period, she underwent the overnight study and subsequent daytime naps, which were monitored extensively.

The results were definitive: her average time to fall asleep was only a few minutes, and she entered REM sleep much faster than normal during the naps, indicating a sleep disorder. A few months later, at age 23, she received the diagnosis of narcolepsy. This diagnosis provided a sense of relief, confirming her exhaustion was not imagined or a psychological issue.

While the diagnosis did not erase the years lost to fatigue, it allowed Eberhard to pursue treatment. Medication has helped manage her condition, enabling her to re-engage in activities like exercising, socializing, and pursuing her career. The experience also inspired her to develop Symptly, an app designed to help individuals with chronic illnesses track their symptoms and medical information, aiming to assist others in their diagnostic journeys.

Eberhard now encourages others to trust their own bodies and advocate for second opinions when they feel their health concerns are not being adequately addressed, emphasizing that patients often know their own bodies best.