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Re: Sleep Attack or Anxiety Attack?

Posted by pretending-2B-alive on June 21, 2007 at 02:23:50:

In Reply to: Sleep Attack or Anxiety Attack? posted by Joy on April 11, 2007 at 17:21:35:

It really sounds to me like you you could be one of the rare yet wonderful people who has narcolepsy. I'm not a Dr. but I have had all of the symptoms that you described and was finally diagnosed with it myself, about a year ago. I was told that the shallow breathing is very common with narcolepsy. I have had problems the last few weeks with my face feeling a little numb, and my dr. assured me that I wasn't having a stroke, (good news) but that it was probably related to the stimulants. I'm not sure about this though because I remember feeling this way about 10 years ago when I wasn't on any stimulants. I also suffer from loss of muscle tone which is not categorized as cataplexy because it can last for hours at a time. I do have problems with sleep paralysis, but this is when I am trying to walk or sometimes even lift a pencil. My body just feels very weak, it could be a type of sleep paralysis since my brain is randomly going into sleep cycles while I'm awake.

I have non-drug or alcohol related "blackouts" whichcan be really scary and also extremely awkward!!! I've even forgotten the names of close friends.

During my sleep attacks, I don't close my eyes or nod off. I have a very hard time concentrating which is a common problem with narcolepsy. In addition, I can be talking to someone and be in midsentence when I feel like I just woke up. I have asked the people who I am talking to if they saw any difference in me or the way I talked during those few seconds, but they all said that they couldn't tell.

I had been told since I was a child that I just had depression, but after several years of telling them that wasn't it, I finally got someone to recognize that I have anxiety, and not depression (although they keep trying to treat me for depression). I finally recieved word that I have narcolepsy about a year ago. It's weird to celebrate having a chronic disease, but it has explained so much!

Hopefully this all makes sense and helps! I am writing this while in an "awake-nap". Let me know if you want me to clarify or elaborate on anything.
~ :)

p.s. I wish that there was a spell check on this forum!


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Archived Narcolepsy Forum27 viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Narcolepsy Forum Homepage.
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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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