Conditions
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.
The cause of narcolepsy is unknown but recent studies suggest that it may be a genetic disorder. Medical research has also linked narcolepsy to a imbalance of chemicals in the brain and to major life events. For example, some sufferers have begun to show symptoms of narcolepsy days or weeks after events such as pregnancy, periods of psychological stress, sudden changes in sleep patterns and head trauma. Contrary to popular belief, narcolepsy is not caused by depression, seizures, fainting or simple lack of sleep.
The symptoms can vary from being mild to very severe and can include ‘sleep attacks’, where the sufferer falls asleep suddenly, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and muscle weakness when responding to emotion e.g. laughter. Other reported symptoms are hallucinations, sleep paralysis, difficulty concentrating and restless sleep. These symptoms normally begin to develop during adolescence but it can start earlier and in rare cases even in middle-age. While narcolepsy does not usually cause physical health problems, the affect on a sufferer’s personal and private life can be very significant. School and work can become difficult as sufferers can be perceived as being lazy. Relationships can also come under strain as a result of excessive drowsiness so it is important to talk through how the condition personal affects those suffering with the condition with family and friends.
Unfortunately, there is no cure as yet for narcolepsy but there are a number of treatments available to control the symptoms. These include taking frequent day-time naps, having a healthy and active lifestyle, taking medication and using prescribed stimulants to combat drowsiness. Sticking to a sleep schedule can help, and it is advisable to avoid using nicotine and alcohol as these have been proven to worsen symptoms.
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Hi I am still at school and sometimes start to nod off to sleep during class and fall in and out of sleep it is normally about 3 minutes before I realise to wake up. I don't go to bed too late and don't feel tried at all also this happens on 2 of 3 occasions a day and the rest of the day I'm fine. I don't feel tried but I really struggle to keep my eyes awake and loose focus in my eyesight while trying to stay awake. I also suffer from astigmatism and wear glasses so I don't know whether this helps. It is so embarrassing when you are sitting next to someone in class and you start to fall asleep. Please help!
I am a 45 year old woman have had a blood test to find out that my vitamin D level is 19. I have been prescribed alfacalcidol. Do you think that will do the trick?
Hi, I am 14 years old, I keep falling asleep everywhere. Anytime. Especially during class. Because of this my grades have dropped. When asked why, I would have no idea how to answer because no one understands what I go through. They just look at me as if Im crazy. I dont know how to explain this to my parents either. This has been going on for years, but its been getting worse. Nowadays when I fall asleep I just have no idea how to stay awake, there isnt anything i can do no matter how much I want to stay awake. my lack of concentration is extremely disappointing. Please help me understand what is happening here.
hi im 21 years old im just wondering if there could be something wrong with me as i always feel tied some days i can manage to keep my eyes open when feeling sleepy but other days i have to have atleast to naps in the day 1 of them is not long after i wake i have 2 young children and dont feel like i have any energy to do anything in the day
I've never randomly fallen asleep but I do fall asleep within minutes of lying down. I turned 19 last month and since I was 14 I've experienced sleep paralysis. I've been having it alot, and I think I experience OBEs and I have flew, it's really lucid and I'm getting scared that it could be the start of narcolepsy. It's quite alot, and my sleep pattern is regular. I can't speak when it happens and my mums said she's heard me making a crackling noise in my throat, which happens when I try to scream. Should I ignore this or tell someone?
Hi.. I have been researching my own condition and Narcolepsy was one of the issues I considered too. Do you have muscle weakness (Cataplexic drops)as well? That is a real good indicator as Cataplexy is often diagnosed as a symptom of Narcolepsy. The thing to do is get a referral to a Neurologist who will order particular tests...which will eliminate other more serious conditions and make an accurate diagnosis first time. It may be that you go to a sleep clinic too so that sleep patterns and REM can be monitored. Narcolepsy can be treated/managed....Best of luck
Hi before I was first diagnosed with narcolepsy I had exactly the same experiences.I couldn't believe that it was not real. I could feel the wind rushing around my body as I what I thought was actually flying.. Also the same paralysis occurred . Even though I was trying so hard to speak or even move only my eyes were working. I am not a doctor but you MUST go and see your gp and tell him/her you think you may have narcolepsy. The tests are painless so there is nothing to be scared of. Despite what the site says about causes of Narcolepsy they are wrong and any suggestion that this is genetic or from life changing events is totally false. Narcolepsy is an anti-immune illness. Basically the body attacks the cells that control the sleep/wake part of the brain. I have suffered from Narcolepsy for 25 years and have researched my illness like most of us have to because info is hard to find in the UK. Also those suffering from cataplexy (muscle drop/weakness) I take Xyrem its ghb or date rape drug. Controlled substance. My cataplexy has improved 95%. It is very expensive and I at the time of being prescribed (3 years ago) was one of only 60 people in the country on this drug. I hope this helps you. Good luck
hi im mark i want to now if anyone can help with a condition i have which is been diagnosed as pseudo seizures this happens to me sometimes with out warnings and ive had numerous of tests but no answer yet please could i get some help of ur doctors or advice of what to do next ive had this for 12 years now they say its not in anyway epilepsy but it gets me down and i dont feel safe sometimes with it thanks mark
I'm 14 years old and I have been experiencing problems with sleep. One second I would be fine the next I would start to fall asleep and I sometimes have about 7-8 naps a day. they sometimes occur in class and I have to literally hold my eye lids open! this has been getting worse lately and Im unsure if I have a sleeping disorder like narcolepsy. I checked on the Internet and I had a lot of the other symptoms like lake of concentration. do I have narcolepsy??? please help!!!
It would be a good idea to see your gp, i was falling asleep at work alot and one night whilst my partner and i stayed at her parents for the night; her mother noticed that i would snore loudly and hold my breath for short periods. I went to the doctor who refered me to a special respiratory clinic where i was diagnosed as having sleep apnea. I have a machine now that the clinic gave me which gently falses the airwaves open. It change my life, i have so much energy now
I'm 14 years old and I have been experiencing problems with sleep. One second I would be fine the next I would start to fall asleep and I sometimes have about 7-8 naps a day. they sometimes occur in class and I have to literally hold my eye lids open! this has been getting worse lately and Im unsure if I have a sleeping disorder like narcolepsy. I checked on the Internet and I had a lot of the other symptoms like lake of concentration. do I have narcolepsy??? please help!!!
hi i'm 17 and have been diagnosed with narcolepsy for nearly 2 years now. it took them about 2 years to get me to a specialist. i know what you mean about practically having to hold open your eyelids. I went through most of my GCSE study years without a diagnosis and found shaking my legs and drinking lots of water helped also studying in a cool environment helped the warmth regularly sent me to sleep. it helps especially being at school to have a healthy sleeping programme and should help you minimise the amount of naps needed in a day. i also understand it is hard to organise planned naps with being at school. discuss it with friends and teachers at school as being actively involved in school will help you stay awake in lessons and the occasional poke can't do any harm. also don't be ashamed to talk about it i used to be so annoyed by it as i didn't have a name for it. Try and get the tissue test as my neurologist said it pretty much confirms whether you do have it or not. its onlya simple blood test.
I have recently been diagnosed with Narcolepsy with Cataplexy.. only had cataplexy symptoms for 18 months but they have got a LOT worse.
Worst thing I ever done was to try mediation for cataplexy, as when it didn't work and now not on anything for it I am so so bad, I can't get the reccommended medication BECAUSE I LIVE IN WALES SO I SPEND ALL MY TIME TRYING NOT TO FIND ANYTHING FIUNNY, or anything happy, feeling of pride, all the happy emotions are causing full attacks complete drop to the floor. I also have another condition which I can't get answers to... EMBARRESSING BODIES WHERE ARE YOU???
I have both Narcolepsy and cataplexy for 20 years, and i was really bad with cataplexy. All i can do to help you is tell you the prescribed drug i am on, and its really great. Its called Imipramine, 25mg, once a day before going to bed. No side affects at all, with me. Ask your doctor, as thay may let you try this. I hope i have helped you. Keith.
I am a 25 year old woman, as soon as i relax (especially after dinner)i feel really tierd and fall asleep really easy.I become so teird i really struggle to keep my self awake. I sleep really well at night and am more of a morning person than night but i could fall asleep at 8pm and sleep through till 7am no problem. It does not affect me through the day if i am at work or out and about, it is just as soon as i relax, if i am off work i can get tierd after lunch. Could i have some sort of sleep disorder?
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