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Conditions

Narcolepsy

The problem with narcolepsy

Cocooned in our warm bed covers, it’s a wonder we ever choose to leave the wondrous ‘Land of Nod’ in the mornings. But for some people, even when awake, that land is never too far away and could suck them back in at any time. Narcolepsy is a neurological condition associated with a fault in the mechanisms in the brain which control wakefulness and sleep. This commonly causes people to have an irresistible tendency to fall asleep at any time of day, often at inappropriate times, such as eating or in the middle of a conversation. Most people experience the onset of symptoms between the ages of 15 and 30, but it’s only since the late 1990s that great strides in the understanding of this condition have been made. Various stimulating drug treatments and an adherence to strict patterns of sleep can help alleviate the condition.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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hey im 19 and got diagnosed with narcolepsy and cataplexy just under a year ago. i can honestly say my heart goes out to all of you who have commented on this page. i was tested for everything you can think of from i was 13 and know how frustrated you all must feel. i think i can relate to all of the examples on this page and just wanted to wish you all the best of luck.





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iam 25 and can sleep for england i have disturbed sleep some night and it takes me ages to fall asleep everytime i go doctors they tell me am fine but clearly am not, i go to bed about ten ish and wake up just before lunch all day i will be so tierd that sometimes i can just go back to bed i have also for the last two yrs suffered from tension headaces i have them everyday am really starting to get down about it as my doctors dont take any notice of my concerns someone help me





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can any one help me i cant get to sleep at night i get to my bed at 5 am /6 am evey night and then back up at 10 am i have tryed all kings of massage and relaxing and my g.p is not doing anything for me i need help





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i regularly sleep in excess of 20 hrs a day, and it makes me feel sick, almost hung over. i always aim for 4-7 hrs. once in a blue moon i will wake after a few hrs. once since puberty i had a working week in which 7 hrs was averaged. during the latter half of primary, and all of secondary school and college i would miss lessons and sometimes halves of the working day because i just couldnt wake up. my parents tried everything, even elecric muscle stimulators. every time i just wake enough to stop whatever wakes me and sleep again immediately, i beat both my parents, and i'm really not a violent person by any means. once i kicked my mum in the head for offering me a cup of tea... which i'd asked for when she'd tried to wake me shortly before. i have terrible trouble getting to sleep, every night, i often wont fall asleep until the sun starts to come up, and wont wake until its gone down, sometime until its coming up again.





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im 27, and healthy, and ive had random sleep syndrome for a few years, i get 9 hours sleep sometimes more, but during the day i could be watching tv or even traveling i just nod off,or even when im out talking to freinds. I sometimes know when im about to fall asleep by my legs twitching(feels like small electric shocks) that are quite painfull at times, and then i drift off for like about 20 - 40 mins, i could have a full relaxing day or even a working day and feel sleepy at the end of it. I usually have a time zone it happens also (about 3-4 o'clock). im just wondering does anybody else have roughly the same as me. and is there any way i can control it more.





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Hello. i am 18 and I seem to sleep up to 20 hours a day. i can sleep from 10pm till 6pm the the next day i don't know how. is this normal?





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I'm 53 and suffer from Sleep Apnea.I also fall asleep at the drop of a hat! I was given a CPAP Machine but once I fell asleep with it working,it would force oxygen at such a force it suffercated me,my checks were forced out,and my tongue was stuck to the top of my mouth.This was very frightening.The Sleep Clinic,took the CPAP off me.Has anyone experienced similar and can you advise me what should happen next? Thanks Y.





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Hey Im constantly tired and cannot last a day with out falling asleep after school i get 8 hours sleep almost every night . Im 16 and i dont like the fact that i cant just come home and go out with my friends . Please help





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Heyy could any body help me please. I am unsure on whether I have this or not,, as I don't sleep everyday bad, but I weould say most days. I am always at my boyfirends house and then when I watch T.V or just lie down I fall to sleep. Also, when I am waiting for something for a long time, could it be that I am getting bored? If I do not sleep enough I suffer the next day as I cannot do anything as I just feel like I could fall to sleeps whilst walking out, or even donig the pots or housework. Thanks





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To Tonnie, I am 39 & have had narcolepsy since I was 15. I have cataplexy, but not all narcoleptics do. A lumbar puncture seems a bit invasive & isn't necessary to prove narcolepsy, although it could rule out a few other possibilities! Try to get on the net & find a Sleep Centre - a referral to one could get you a 24 hour sleep study (You stay overnight with wires attached to your head & body). This will show quite clearly what the score is & avoids sticking needles in you - good luck!





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that disrupts your normal sleeping pattern. It can cause you to fall asleep suddenly, without warning (known as "sleep attacks") and also tends to make you feel excessively drowsy during the day time. Read More »

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