Is a spinal tap nessisary to diognose narcolepsy?do i see nuerologist or sleep specialist?

NARCOLEPSY DIAGNOSIS: A sleep specialist would be the best thing to do. There are certain tests that measure the electrical activity in the brain. These, as far as i know, are not invasive. Examining spinal fluid is a new diagnostic test for narcolepsy.

No: You can see a neurologist or a lung specialist. Narcolepsy is not a rare condition and it is characterized by sudden unexpeceted deep sleep along with relaxation of muscles so as to become imobile in its most intense form but less intense varieties are more common without total loss of muscle activity. I will need a sleep study.

Several answers: No, a spinal tap is not necessary to diagnose narcolepsy. The amount of hypocretin (or orexin) is low or absent in the spinal fluid of patients with narcolepsy, but the diagnosis can be made by a less painful sleep study. Your pcp can start the evaluation, but will probably need to be referred to a sleep center for diagnosis.