A list of puns related to "Cataplexy"
So I've experienced what I'm pretty sure is cataplexy since I was a kid, but because I obviously had no clue what it really was over the years I (subconsciously?) tried to lessen my emotions and avoided situations where I knew it'd happen. Because of this and some other reasons I don't really experience emotions strong enough for it to happen reguarly. And whenever it does happen, I find a way to convince myself I'm doing it on purpose, or that it's for other reasons.
Last week for example I got high (lol) which is the only time I actually, truly laugh anymore and I laughed so hard I couldn't move my arms for like 15 minutes, and afterwards it still took ages for my hands to have proper grip again. Which is the exact same way it happens when I'm sober, but for whatever reason I'm still convinced it's just because I was high. And I know this is ironic but just now I was on the phone to my doctor who mentioned being unsure about my diagnosis because my irons low, and when it ended I was so petrified I'd just made the whole thing up my hands went limp, and even as I could feel myself trying to move my arms and not being able to, all I could think was "I'm doing this on purpose to convince myself". My hands still feel weak as I'm typing this.
I'm still waiting for my lumbar punch, but it's just so frustrating. Especially because I struggle with fully explaining the extent of my symptoms (worried I'm being dramatic) and I keep getting tossed from sleep doctor to sleep doctor. I haven't spoken with the same doctor more than twice. My doctor right now isn't even a sleep doctor, she's a pharmacist! Nobody wants to deal with me!
Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has struggled with knowing if their cataplexy is "real" enough?
Edit: Thank you all so much for your replies! They've all been incredibly helpful and reassuring.
It's been many years since I trained my last service dog (actually was pre-diagnosis, but I trained him to aid with the symptoms and the working diagnosis they had then...)
So help, what tasks do you find most useful that your service dog knows? I know I'll be doing a guard/stand over me for cataplexy. Maybe a lay down on/by me too? And I would like to do medicine alerts as well as mobility support for more minor cataplexy. Ideas?
My hypnic jerks are usually always followed by sleep onset and accompanied by hypnagogic hallucinations. Am I the only one? 😅
I was diagnosed with Nt2 since I can’t remember anytime I’ve ever fallen to the ground or felt my knees “buckle under me,” as is often described as the classic symptoms of cataplexy. However, after seeing several mentions that muscle weakness can take on different forms/degrees, now I’m starting to wonder if my “freeze” instinct could just be cataplexy. When I’m very angry or shook up or frightened my body’s natural response is to freeze, and it just feels like my feet are locked in place while the rest of my body has general weakness. If I’m very scared, for example, and I need to pick something up and hold it tightly to defend myself or pull myself out of a dangerous situation (ex: pulling a rope), it’s like my arm and hand muscles suddenly don’t work and I try to grasp the rope but it’s always a loose grip, when I try to pull my muscles just physically don’t work, like they’re paralyzed with weakness potion. Could this be cataplexy since I have narcolepsy or is it just the typical freeze response?
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/mlCB41P-xZQu7l5umHPrAtbU5yBrr119Zx33_R5VZmZMEgNaA7Rtu1Pkt14bH4xfPZeaSP-elyBoRI0zbfZCYmH_oM87DwFOHuCg7P7KBLnIW6HNmg
For those of y’all who’ve watched the Disney+ series “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” how does it’s depiction of N1 make you feel?
Personally, I felt that it was very well explained but used as a humor device multiple times. As a humorous tv show, it makes sense. But with so little media representation, it’s a little frustrating to see cataplexy like this.
Hi all,
I’m curious whether anyone here shares my situation or has an explanation for it.
I’m currently waiting for my sleep study, which has been reported due to COVID. I have periodic limb movements, RLS and generally bad sleep quality, as well as tiredness during the day.
One of the reasons they want to test me for narcolepsy is because I displayed cataplexy symptoms as a child. I remember that between age 5-15 more or less, I would lose sensation in my hands when I laughed. It was enough so that I couldn’t write anything or open an bottle of water, for instance. I had to wait 2 minutes or more for my normal dexterity to come back. At the time, I thought everyone experienced this.
I barely have this feeling today—still happens very slightly from time to time, but nowhere near what it was when I was younger. However, my understanding is that cataplexy is caused by the permanent destruction of some hormones (or matter) in the brain. Do you think this is cataplexy, or have you experienced anything like this? Could it be anything else, based on your knowledge or experience?
I’m asking on here because as you all know, getting help from professionals on these matters is quite arduous. I haven’t been taken seriously by my doctor and didn’t get any information from my specialist when I asked the question. Maybe someone on here has an idea…
Thank you!
Edit: I’m currently 30 years old
One of my pet peeves with this condition is having a cataplectic attack and hearing everyone around you say, "there he goes falling asleep again!"
It's like, no, we've been over this - I can hear everything you're saying even if I can't move for half a minute. It can get so frustrating to repeatedly explain things to people who don't care to remember.
Normally I wouldn’t post about my mental health on this account at all, but this is such a strangely specific experience that is just really uniquely “narcolepsy.” Mental health gets bad, cataplexy is like “lmao go ahead, try, I dare you,” and then that’s it. You can’t do anything because cataplexy but you can’t calm down enough to do a thing because mental illness. The irony is absolutely hilarious when it’s not actively happening, but there’s something so indescribably frustrating about it in the moment.
My mental health is not awesome right now, my life sucks, and my fiancé I’d been with for 2.5 years broke up with me. Tonight I was sitting in the corner and leaning against the wall, struggling to hold my arm up to >!hold a gun to my head!<. I was 100% serious, it is what it is. But I couldn’t. Not because I didn’t want to, not because I changed my mind. My cataplexy had my muscles weak enough that I couldn’t physically >!pull the trigger!<. If I could calm down enough to have the muscle tone, I probably would change my mind. Not being able to accomplish the task is more upsetting, so more cataplexy, so you are less able, so more upset… you get the idea.
I so often say, “may irony never defeat you.”
…that’s ironic
I've noticed recently when I experience mild cataplexy, usually after I'm very stressed at work, I start to feel numb and like I'm floating in my chair. The sense of my skin touching my seat or even the air fades away and I feel like I'm just floating sort of speak, and my skin tingles a little bit. I usually feel more light headed. I think in part it ties into my dissociation.
Does anyone else experience this?
Does anyone know of an official cataplexy severity scale or one utilized in a study? I’m changing medications soon due to bad side effects but I need to see if my cataplexy actually improves with the new one. Otherwise, any ideas on how to quantify attacks? I vary between minor face or hand weakness to fairly severe attacks (fully body collapse) but I don’t know how to turn that into a number scale. Thanks!
I have finally been referred for a sleep study after waiting 5 years to be able to afford it. The specialist referred me based on when I first saw him and in his report he’s noted that I haven’t had any noticeable cataplexy. But I’ve noticed a few things recently I’m not sure about, and I’m wondering if I need to go back to him and ask before my test?
A couple months ago I was in a suddenly really upsetting situation. I sort of lost control on my arm. I could still move it but it felt heavy and was shaking really badly and I couldnt stop it. I also occasionally get this numb feeling in my legs, today I realised that the last 2 times it happened I was upset. It’s numb and heavy, but no tingling like it’s fallen asleep. I have to move my legs with my arms if I have to move and it takes a minute to go away. I’m unsure if it’s always when I’m upset or not though.
Do either of these sound like cataplexy or are they totally unrelated?
Hey everyone, I’ve been on stimulants for a few years and notice that as they wear off in the evening I have cataplexy attacks from small triggers that can go on all evening. Usually small and short attacks but it can be worse. I don’t really have them during the day when medicated apart from the odd tiny flicker. If I come off meds for a few weeks, it’s bad the first week and then levels off and the cataplexy is less severe again. Wondering if anyone else has this specifically related to amphetamine based stimulants (and who are not on modafinial or Xyrem because these aren’t supposed to cause REM rebound).
I (19F) was diagnosed with N1 about four months ago, but I cannot figure out if I'm really experiencing cataplexy. I have periods where I randomly feel weaker in my arms and hands/face and they feel less under control. It's like I lose the sense my arms are totally connected to my body and I only feel like dragging them around. My eyes are usually drooped.
I can control it to a relatively normal level if I have to, but I've heard that cataplexy is completely uncontrollable.
I also cannot figure out any specific triggers for when that happens. Nothing specifically happens before hand usually when I feel this happen. Sometimes if I'm laughing REALLY hard I feel the need to collapse on the ground (but I can keep myself standing if I actually have to) I'll feel my face become more slack and my speech slightly slurs, but I don't know if this is cataplexy.
My face and other parts of my body will randomly twitch and spasm, almost feeling like the muscles bubbling. And sometimes my thighs feel disconnected to my body and I really need to sit down. I'm also really clumsy and tend to run into things.
I'm really doubting myself right now and I don't know if I'm even really experiencing this.
Can someone explain in detail what cataplexy is?
Just wanted to redirect attention to this very good poster of where cataplexy can be located in the body: https://imgur.com/5QQoigG
Would anybody say that there are other places where cataplexy might present itself in the body? Or other sensations that could be tied to cataplexy not mentioned in the poster?
Can such a poster help you identify types of cataplexy you have experienced?
Hello! Been lurking on here for a while now, but this is my first post. I’m currently in the fortunate position of being offered either a spinal tap or a (second) sleep study, and I’m trying to work out which would be best in terms of trying to get to the bottom of my sleepiness.
The background: I had a sleep study in 2018 after 10 years of sleepiness/sleep paralysis and issues staying awake while driving/in meetings at work/basically whenever I’m not doing something ‘active’. It came back normal. Symptoms have persisted, and now knowing more about sleep, I’ve got some videos recorded of my sleep attacks and what I think may be mild cataplexy (I lose control of my eyes/cheek/mouth/knees when telling jokes). As a result of this I was referred back to a neurologist, and got a blood test that confirmed the HLA marker associated with type 1 narcolepsy.
My issue now is that I’m really anxious about a second sleep study. I was pretty anxious the first time, but it feels higher stakes now, and would also invoke me coming off some SSRIs I’m currently taking. The spinal tap seems great in that I can’t ‘mess it up’, but I don’t know how likely it is to show anything given that I think my possible cataplexy is mild (never a full body collapse, I’ve only had issues with knees, neck and face, and only in the very specific situation of thinking I’m being really funny, lol, or if I’m hysterically laughing). It also seems like quite an invasive procedure.
Would really appreciate hearing anyone’s experience of spinal tap and/or sleep study with anxiety issues.
Mine isn’t extreme, but I burned my hand on the grill because I had a sleep attack while eating Korean barbecue with some friends.
Since I’ve finally figured out meds that work for my narcolepsy, I’m able to drive and do many things without a problem. I remember a few summers ago when I was scared to go canoeing/ swimming because I thought I would fall asleep and drown.
okay SO... i’ve definitely been experiencing some cataplexy as of late. it happens pretty randomly and it hasn’t been too severe or drastic yet. HOWEVER i have noticed that when i kiss the boy i like my legs get weirdly numb and weak, so much so that i went to stand up the other day after kissing him and stumbled over.
please understand that i’m dead serious about this. i don’t know if it’s cataplexy or just normal crush stuff, because i’m only 20 and honestly didn’t really like my ex-boyfriends all that much.
it sounds goofy, but is this an example of cataplexy, or do people LITERALLY get weak in the knees after kissing someone they like?
thanks guys 😅🤦♀️
Dear Internet,
I am in my 40ties and was diagnosed with depression 8 years ago. My #1 challenge in life is chronic fatigue. No matter what I do, I am dead tired all day long.
Earlier this year, I experienced two episodes that I would describe as something between cataplexy and a panic attack. Both were triggered by the realisation that I will have to live with various issues for the rest of my life, and that things will only get worse in the future (like hypothyroidism, that will hit me in a few years).
Both times, I was sitting on a chair, when I started feeling dizzy and weak. It felt like I could faint any moment. I left the building to get some fresh air, but had to sit down immediately. My hands, feet and tongue were tingling and numb. I felt like my body wanted to hyperventilate, but I could control my breathing with some effort. I also started crying uncontrollably. These episodes lasted about half an hour, before I felt "normal enough" to stand up and walk again.
I think the crying and that it lasted that long is more typical of a panic or anxiety attack. However, I didn't feel chest pain or any other kind of pain. And I didn't experience panic, anxiety, terror, or any related emotion at all. From what I remember, I did not feel more tired or like falling asleep either. What I remember distinctively was the disconnection between my body and brain. The second episode happened at the doctor's while taking a blood sample. I new what was coming, told the doctor I had to get fresh air and wait until it is over. Outside the doctor's office, I was very aware of all the people passing by, and that I had no control over my body. At the same time I just thought "damn it, now I am stuck here for half an hour. I need to do the groceries and go home.". It felt weird telling concerned passers-by that "everything was fine and I don't need help", while sobbing uncontrollably and with a tongue that felt like a lifeless slab of meat in my mouth.
Does any of this resonate with anyone here?
I'm kind of scared right now, I have a bad feeling I just had a cataplexic attack and I'm worried. I was diagnosed with N2 almost 2 years ago and never had an episode. I'm a recently discharged veteran and I'm currently trying to get established at a doctor with the VA but they keep giving me the runaround on my meds. I'm almost out of them so I'm taking half the dosage I normally would to try and just make it through until they can finally prescribe me more. I'm on 45mg of Adderall XR but since I'm low I'm taking half. Sorry for the long backstory, but the incident I'm worried about happened just now while I was at work. I travel a lot for my job with 2 other guys and they said something funny and right when I went to go laugh I felt my face and neck muscles go completely limp and it was like my vision went into a swirl. My stomach dropped and I felt like I couldn't move for a good 15-30secs.
Any suggestions or advice? I normally don't post but everyone on this forum has already helped me so much and I'm grateful that I can open up a little with people who have the same problems
Hi. So I was diagnosed with narcolepsy w/o cataplexy like three months ago, but I’m beginning to think I may have cataplexy after all. I have sudden bouts where I can’t hold my head up or sometimes can’t sit up without leaning on something, but I don’t think it’s related to smiling or laughing or surprise. I guess it could be stress related as I am a college senior w/ bad anxiety and constantly stressed. I am also on lexapro most of the time which I read may suppress it so that may affect things. Anyway, I guess my question is what does cataplexy feel like, can it be triggered by something other than sudden strong emotion, and is it possible that I have it? Thanks for the help
Yo so im pretty sure I also have cataplexy, I mean it’s either that or partial seizures (I’m conscious). Anyway, the other night I had an episode, it was full body and pretty intense. When I get the feeling it’s about to happen, I try as hard as I can to sit down so I won’t get as hurt. During this episode, especially during the period of trying to get down, I was hearing very loud auditory effects/hallucinations. It was a very odd sound, like metal clashing/jangling, but also kind of electronic. Basically, it sounded like a bunch of silverware banging against each other, but slightly electronic if that makes sense? I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I can’t remember, but I feel like I’ve heard things before. But they were more like a static/white noise.
I (19F) was diagnosed N1 about three months ago. But my experience with cataplexy isn't as severe as the standard definition of it and it makes me question whether I really have it.
Usually I can't not tell what triggers my symptoms. I'll become weak in the arms and hands, and I feel like I'll have to drag my hands around to be able to type or do anything on my computer (as part of my job) My head starts to feel like a bobble head and my eyes droop. My face will become more drooped as well but if I really have to I can pull myself together and seem pretty much normal.
I feel pretty weak overall, but can't tell what causes it. It usually just happens randomly when I'm sitting at my desk at work. Other times I notice when I've laughed a lot I feel weaker and like I can't put effort into my laugh anymore, which makes sense but this doesn't happen as often.
But other people have defined triggers and more pronounced symptoms. Is my experience even cataplexy, and if it is why is cataplexy so different for people when it's only described as one thing?
I'd really appreciate feedback on this cause I don't know what I'm experiencing.
Most of my life I thought I was living normal, it turns out- definitely not. I’m female in my mid 20’s, been living with narcolepsy for 13+ years before being diagnosed and medicated. It took me a long time to adjust to non-narcoleptic life, and understand a lot of things, so I hope the AMA is useful/enlightening/entertaining in helping others understand this condition.
What is Narcolepsy?
Main symptoms:
Associated conditions:
Onset happens around puberty, often triggered by an infection/virus..
How many has problems out in public?
🤦🏻♀️😂
I just wondered whether anybody else found sitting (or standing) in forms of transportation (bus, car, metro,...etc.) to be triggering for their EDS or even their cataplexy?
I noticed when I take the bus, taxi (or similar modes of transportation), metro, (haven't tried flying yet but soon will), my eyelids feel heavy, my jaw sags, my head feels too heavy and my neck muscles too weak and I can't control them really, my had nods and bobs around.
Soon, I will have a long distance flight, and now I am wondering whether these weird muscle behaviors will happen there, too.
I have some questions about cataplexy:
Does cataplexy progress over time?
How long does it take for it to progress into its maxium expression?
Is it different for everyone how and if it progresses?
It's just that I have noticed that my cataplexy has progressed more or less quickly in the span of a year. I had very very mild cataplexy for years (or so it seems) and now it has progressed. I had only eyelid/eyebrow cataplexy, and over the course of one and a half year, the cataplexy has "spread" to the neck, my jaw, and my hands, and arms. And now I wonder if this is it or what can I expect?
I understand that cataplexy is different for everyone. But I wonder if there are studies on maybe types of cataplexy and how they progress.
This post may not belong here, but I figured there's really no better place to ask for opinions, so here I am.
When I was a child, I had mild cataplexy fairly regularly. Whenever I had extreme emotions, laughter, anger, or fear, my hands would lose all strength. I could not hold a pen in my hand, let alone write with one.
I remember I had a really nasty teacher when I was 8, and she was once screaming at me asking me to write something down, and she kept getting angrier because I couldn't obey, which was making things even worse for me.
I also experienced hallucinations when trying to fall asleep, and sleep paralysis when trying to wake up. Both of which happened several times, but not THAT often. I don't believe these are that uncommon but I figured I'd make a mention of it.
But here's the thing, I do not believe I've ever had Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, which means I would probably not be diagnosed with Narcolepsy (not then nor now).
The other good news is that pretty much all of these stopped happening during/after teenagehood.
Now my question: assuming that narcolepsy is like a spectrum, would it be possible that I have an extremely mild version of it, which may flare up again (or get worse) if I go through a stressful period? (my childhood was a stressful period of my life)
In the few recent days I've become aware that a "tic," that involved going partially or fully limp for a few seconds when I'm excited or laughing is most likely cataplexy and there's a hefty chance I have narcolepsy. I've had this "tic," longer than any of my others and it doesn't quite function like one, but it has some interesting overlap? It seemed to play off my tics in an interesting way, I'll often cycle between a jerky motor tic and going limp back and forth a few times. I've also realized it can be triggered in a way similarly to tics, by fixating on it, it happens significantly more. I know that Narcolepsy and Tourettes affect similar parts of the brain, so I think the potential play between them is interesting. I'm going to go to a doctor in a few days to get a referral to a neurologist about the possibility of narcolepsy considering I have moderate cataplexy and funky™ sleep. If anyone else has tourette's/tics and cataplexy I'm interested and how they interact for you. Thoughts?
My teen suffers chronic pain and we do a lot of holistic type care. I’ve experienced float tanks and think this would be a great experience for my kid. However I am not narcoleptic.
I was wondering if there would be reason to worry in my teen doing a float? (Not the pod style, the pool size.) I guess I am worried they might have an attack or somehow flip over? Falling asleep is common as it is in a float tank. Could be a needless worry… I wanted to make sure my teen was safe. I had planned to be nearby or in the room for the 1st time or two to make sure they were ok.
Has anyone tried this or have any thoughts or advice on this? TIA!
Hello all, I have N1 and Cataplexy that triggers when experiencing strong emotions, specifically of joy or surprise. The post earlier about the relaxation floatation tanks for chronic pain had me wondering if anyone else has ever experienced almost drowning because of their Cataplexy and any additional tips/tricks you may have? At this point I tend to just avoid swimming unless my I’m with someone or staying where I can stand easily.
For context, I currently take Modafinil and am considering Xywave because many say their Cataplexy was reduced significantly. Thanks!
for those of you who have seen my posts before, hi again :) if not, to summarize: i’ve been trying to figure out whether something i experience could be cataplexy, as I’ve had other different “episodes” which my doctor said might be cataplexy, but she hasn’t seen them happen firsthand and i was diagnosed with IH because the MSLT sucks blah blah ANYWAY. if you want you can check my post history, you’ll see more info there.
when i think about or see something that triggers an actual emotional response, i get a weird almost electrical-like pulsing sensation through various parts of my body, like a wave. it typically starts somewhere in my back, and either goes up or down, then branches out into my arms or legs, sometimes but very rarely my face. sometimes it starts in my chest or in my upper arms or legs, but that’s usually after one has already happened starting in my back somewhere. there’s a big wave first and then after the weird feeling usually lingers a while, sometimes it happens again and keeps happening especially if i continue engaging with whatever thought triggered it in the first place.
at first i thought it was just ASMR somehow, but now i’m not so sure. it never starts in my head and when i DO get ASMR it feels a little different. hearing or thinking about the sound of static electricity (i can “hear” it in my mind) triggers ASMR for me for example, and it’s not the same sensation. i can’t think of anything that feels quite like what i’m trying to describe, but ASMR is close enough i guess.
basically i want to get feedback from those who experience cataplexy and see what you think, whether this is something worth mentioning to my doctor (as she told me to keep an eye out for possible cataplexy) or if it’s just something physiologically normal/that happens to everybody and i shouldn’t worry about it.
i started noticing it around middle school, which in hindsight is when my other symptoms started, but it’s been more noticeable within the past couple years, and the other things which have happened to me that i’ve spoken with my doctor about happened fairly recently as well. during one of these i briefly went limp in my neck and arms. i am 24 now, for reference.
thanks everybody! happy to provide more info if requested
I get weak during sex. Like borderline full on paralysis. I’m a pretty masculine guy. And people generally assume I’m some dominant badass.
It’s a mix of narcolepsy (cataplexy) + nerve damage from TBIs. But it’s absolutely humiliating. Positive emotions cause it. But my ego can’t take it. I crumble almost every time physically and emotionally. I just feel helpless and scared. I don’t know what I’d do if I was laughed at. It hurts me to my core that i have this barrier between physical contact.
It’s worth noting all sexual organs function during these episodes. I just slowly turn into a (fully aware) corpse and lose control of voluntary muscles.
Anyone have any thoughts on tackling the humiliation? I usually warn dates because it’s something involuntary from me and if it’s a problem I don’t want to be insulted etc for it. It already hurts emotionally for me but I just want to feel comforted and I’d be more than happy to share the favor.
I started Xyrem about 6 months ago, and it has worked really well for me in terms of quality of sleep! I think my cataplexy is on the severe end, I could easily have a few full body collapses a day before starting xyrem, and it never went away fully after starting, but it definitely got more manageable.
About 4 months after starting my cataplexy got worse again, but I was having issues getting xyrem at the time so I was missing doses fairly regularly, which I assumed was the reason. Around this time I increased my dose to 3g, got the access issues sorted, and I've been taking it very consistently for the last 2 months. Again, my cataplexy wasn't gone, and it didn't seem as under control as it did right after starting, but it wasn't too much of an issue.
This week it's gotten worse than I think I've ever had it before - I'm regularly having a few full body collapses per hour, and I'm starting to have it regularly in situations where I almost never had it before. I can't think of a reason it would be happening, I've had no medication changes since increasing my dose, and the only major lifestyle change I've had was going back to work 6 weeks ago after being unemployed for a while. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas why it might be happening?
I’ve had narcolepsy for about 5/6 years now and I used to have mild cataplexy but honestly I haven’t had an attack in over a year. I don’t know why, has anyone else seen a random decrease or stop in attacks?
I just saw a tiktok of a dude in a barber shop with the caption “don’t forget to tell your barber if you got narcolepsy” and in the video he just fully passed out mr. benedict style which made me wonder what other ppl’s sleep attacks/cataplexy is like.
I was diagnosed with N1 about two and a half months ago. I was shown to fall asleep within 3 minutes, and have been on 200mg Armodafinil ever since.
But the more I read up on cataplexy specifically, what I feel doesnt always align with the definitions of it. Usually, I feel a steady progression of muscle weakness that takes around 15 minutes before it reaches its worse point. My face, hands, arms, neck, etc. Gradually begin to feel weaker and weaker, and when I try to move my head it feels like a bobble-head.
I become dizzy usually, and feel the strong need to lay down and/or gradually collapse. This usually lasts a half an hour or so, but ranges in severity. Right now as I write this I'm feeling an attack and my face is very drooped, but I can still move if I put effort into it.
Other times I have to fall down wherever I am and wait until it goes away. The longest this has last is maybe 45 minutes or so.
But from what I've read cataplexy lasts only a few seconds or minutes. Does this still sound like cataplexy?
How does your hand cataplexy manifest?
Today, I was having breakfast (I usually don't have breakfast immediately after waking up, but rather half an hour or an hour after waking up), and while taking my tea cup to take a sip, the cup slipped from my hands and I spilled the tea (literally).
This hadn't happened to me before. I was very sleepy in that moment, so could have been lingering sleep paralysis but I was able to hold the cup before that moment, so I am not sure. It was a moment when I felt particularly stressed, as well.
Now, I feel somehwat exhausted.
So, how does your hand cataplexy manifest? Or how does your sleep paralysis in the morning manifest? Especially in the hands?
I was diagnosed with type 2 narcolepsy. Tho I’m not sure if I have had cataplexy, which is why the doctor types me as type 2. He had tried to get me to laugh a couple times but it’s nothing that was really funny I just gave a fake little chuckle. I’ve had certain moments where my knees would buckle when I’d talk to a crush or got scared, or I’d get in a crouching position when laughing but that’s rare. I do get a lot of muscle and facial twitching all over my body and was curious is this is a part of narcolepsy or just something else. It is something that is still present even without caffeine and I’ve had it since before taking provigil. Any advice or comments would help.
I have a couple questions and don’t have a doctor appointment until November, so I figured I would try posting here. I’ve never posted before so forgive me if this is not the correct format.
I have narcolepsy (type 2) but I do get body twitches anytime I start to relax my muscles too much, like when I start dozing off. I am wondering if this could be cataplexy? I also have some other health issues that it could be related to, but it sounds like it could be possible cataplexy.
I also was wondering if anyone with anxiety has had an experience with Wakix. I have not been able to find a stimulant that doesn’t make my anxiety worse, but xywav by itself is not cutting it anymore. My fatigue and brain fog have been getting worse over the last couple months, any advice?
My doctor said these episodes I’ve been having are cataplexy, but I didn’t know they fell under that.
Basically my eyelids get very heavy and hard to hold open, neck hurts and head feels heavy, and sometimes it carries down my left arm. Everything is just heavy and weak and tired.
Hey guys, im in the stage that go next month in the sleep laboratory because of all my symptoms.. the cataplexy that i have are not very strong, they come out when i laugh hard, it began with my knees and went up to my shoulder and now my lower back. Sometimes i have all 3 parts and sometimes only 1 part that is affected. I’m afraid that it will become more and more till the the whole body is affected.. i just would like to ask if someone of you the cataplexy staid “mild” over the years? Or does it always become strong after the years? Till now this stays kind of funny with the cataplexy but i am worried about because im only 32. The sleepiness i can control it very good for now and just slept in once while talking with my father in the 3 to 4 months that it showed up. Also the sleep paralysis i startet to know when it happens and can most of the time stop it before it’s to late. The most i am worried about is about the future of the cataplexy. I would love to hear an confirmation that it ‘’ could “ stay like that.
I was diagnosed with N1 roughly a year ago and I’ve experienced full collapse from cataplexy just a few times in my life so I’m aware of what that feels like but lately I’ve been having weird electric shock like sensations… they do correlate with periods of profound stress or exhaustion. It feels similar to the feeling you get when you’re falling asleep and you have a hypnic jerk- however, it occurs without a muscle contraction, I’m just weak all over but able to stand (barely). I spoke with my sleep specialist about it this past week and he thinks it’s my body trying to go into REM. I’m just curious if anyone else has had a similar experience? It’s an uncomfortable (but non-painful) feeling and has been giving me a lot of anxiety! I’m trying to manage my symptoms with just stimulants so I’m not taking Xywav/SSRI’s just yet.
I have looked through a few posts in this reddit page and have noticed that there seems to be more type 2 narcolepsy than type 1 narcolepsy. I'm not sure if that's how it is in general, but I was wondering how common it was to have cataplexy and how severe the condition is for most people who do have it?
Personally, I have cataplexy and it's pretty bad. I have it almost every day at least once. If it's not that bad, then it lasts about 30 or so seconds but if it's bad, I have it for a few minutes. I'm not sure if my meds help with it since I have not tried comparing it to before I stay consistent with my meds (I go on and off it for no particular reason other than forgetting to take them.)
The effects of cataplexy range in intensity, but generally I get blurry vision and can't focus my eyes, my face loosens and I can't control my expression, my head just kinda dangles a bit because of loss of muscle strength in my neck, I can't lift my arms, I slouch and have to lean on something just to keep myself standing but sometimes I'm forced to plop down on the floor until I calm myself down for a minute or longer. If it's really bad, I collapse on the floor and can't get up for a few minutes (not sure exactly how long.) Even when I get back up and calm myself down, I feel like my mind is in a haze and similar to how I would be when I'm sleepy. My eyes still can't focus as well but enough to see properly and I wobble around. Usually I sit down or lie down somewhere afterwards.
I had read online back when I first started looking into the possibility of me having narcolepsy that really bad cataplexy has people collapsing but that people generally just have blurry vision and loss of muscle control in neck or legs. I was wondering how it was for other people since I don't know anyone else with narcolepsy nor have I seen anyone experiencing cataplexy.
Hey has anyone experienced cataplexy without narcolepsy (or symptoms of narcolepsy) what was the result
Thanks
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