Question 1

is narcolepsy inherited?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Up to 10% of narcolepsy patients have family members with the illness.  Twins have an even higher chance of both having the illness.

Question 2

is narcolepsy a disability?

Accepted Answer

Not usually : Usually we can control daytime sleepiness and cataplexy with meds. Most narcoleptics don't need disability.

Question 3

what can be done for narcolepsy?

Accepted Answer

Medication: After being "officially" diagnosed, there are medications that are quite successful in treating the disorder.

Question 4

does narcolepsy can go as it came?

Accepted Answer

No: Once you have it it does not go away

Question 5

what do you recommend for narcolepsy?

Accepted Answer

See your doctor: Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder which results in excessive daytime sleepiness, vivid dreams, sleep paralysis, and poor sleep. It occurs in 1 in 2, 000 people. If you think you have narcolepsy, see your doctor. You may need a referral to a sleep center to have tests performed. These tests would distinguish between narcolepsy and other sleep problems.

Question 6

what are the pros & cons of narcolepsy?

Accepted Answer

Narcolepsy: I know of no positives for narcolepsy. It can be embarrassing and dangerous.

Question 7

are there different types of narcolepsy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but see below: There are genetic forms, and also reported, are post-traumatic forms.  Some pts just possess the sleep attacks, others have additional cataplexy, and may or may not have sleep paralysis, and vivid dreams.  Sleep disorders are, however, complex, and often a sleep study reveals the full answers.

Question 8

symptoms of narcolepsy include what things?

Accepted Answer

Several: Narcolepsy is a chronic medical condition caused by the loss of a chemical in the brain (orexin/hypocretin). The symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, vivid dreams, sleep paralysis, and sometimes the brief loss of muscle tone (cataplexy). A sleep study can make the diagnosis. See your doctor if concerned as there are treatments. www.wakeupnarcolepsy.org is a good source of information.

Question 9

what are some meds to help with narcolepsy?

Accepted Answer

Several: Stimulants are most commonly used such as dexedrine, (dextroamphetamine) methylphenidate (ritalin) or variations of these. Provigil and Nuvigil are more recent additions to treatment which are also helpful. If cataplexy is present zyrem (sodium oxybate) is very helpful.

Question 10

in what way can i know if i have narcolepsy?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms + testing: Excessive daytime sleepiness despite obtaining adequate sleep at night, cataplexy (losing muscle tone in response to a strong emotion), and sleep paralysis are some symptoms. Consider an evaluation by a sleep specialist who will evaluate your symptoms and order testing as well as treatment (if appropriate).

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Doctor answers about:

Narcolepsy

A member asked:

Is narcolepsy inherited?

A member asked:

Is narcolepsy a disability?

A member asked:

What can be done for narcolepsy?

A member asked:

Does narcolepsy can go as it came?

A member asked:

What do you recommend for narcolepsy?

A member asked:

What are the pros & cons of narcolepsy?

A member asked:

Are there different types of narcolepsy?

A member asked:

Symptoms of narcolepsy include what things?

A member asked:

What are some meds to help with narcolepsy?

A member asked:

In what way can i know if i have narcolepsy?

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