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Re: Thanks, Linda

Posted by Linda on May 19, 1998 at 20:02:00:

In Reply to: Thanks, Linda posted by one sleepy chick on May 18, 1998 at 05:43:54:

Hi, again,
So sorry I've taken so long to respond, but I
was looking for more info so I could give you a better answer. Couldn't find anything. All I know is that the MSLT measures your sleep onset. If you have a short onset (less than 5 minutes), you show signs of sleep deprivation. I'm not sure how they determine which sleep disorder you have. However, I would imagine that the night-time test (polysom......) would indicate any lapses in breathing, which would indicate sleep apnea. Narcolepsy has several symptoms but not everyone has all of them or the same degree of severity. Of course, excessive daytime sleepiness is a big clue. Some have no control over sleep onset and others (like me) seem to be able to hold off until
I can lay down. Not everyone has cataplexy (sudden paralysis or loss of control of the voluntary or skeletal muscles), but if you have it
it indicates narcolepsy. For some people, any strong emotion may trigger cataplexy. Other possible symptoms include hallucinations, paralysis while falling asleep or on waking, disrupted nighttime sleep, and automatic behavior, (doing something usually routine and not remembering doing it). Other symptoms can include: depression, weakness, dizziness, headaches, shortened attention span, confusion and ability to concentrate, blurred and double vision, temporary verbal memory loss. In narcolepsy, REM sleep and dreaming begin within minutes or sometimes even as the head touches the pillow with less deep, restful sleep. (Alot of this info I found on the internet at Florida Narcolepsy Assoc.
site.) I don't know if I've helped at all or not but try to keep searching the sites on the internet or the various forum discussions. I guess the only way to know for sure is to be tested. I know you've had tests but it's questionable if they did the definitive tests that would indicate narcolepsy. Perhaps, you can try to scan through the forum to find someone who sounds extremely knowledgable and E-mail them.

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  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


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