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Local Teenager Suffering From "Sleeping Beauty" Syndrome

NORTH FAYETTE (KDKA) -- A local teenager is dealing with a sleep disorder called Kleine-Levin or Sleeping Beauty Syndrome.

Nicole Delien, 17, of North Fayette, slept 64 days in her longest sleeping episode.

Her mom, Vicki, says Nicole will sleep 18 or 19 hours a day, and when she does wake up to eat, she says Nicole is in a sleepwalking state which she doesn't remember.

Vicki Delien says it was very frustrating just getting a diagnosis.

They went to various hospitals until a doctor at Allegheny General Hospital finally realized what was going on.

Nicole says she's missed out on Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays and even the first family trip to Disney World.

Medication helps spread the sleeping episodes further apart. The last one was in March, but Nicole says she's scared of when it will happen again.

The family recently went on a national talk show because they want other families to know about the rare disorder.

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