Am I narcoleptic?
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Am I narcoleptic?

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Posted by ripvanwinkle on May 19, 2008 at 17:03:24:

Recently I've been suspecting that I might have mild narcolepsy. Here's what I'm experiencing:

1) Excessive daytime sleepiness: usually need to take 4-5 10-15 minute naps during the day. If I don't get my nap then the sleepiness will persist for many hours until I can nap. If I'm at work in a meeting and this happens I'll just pinch my thigh (to the point of bruising) to stay awake. Pretty unpleasant. Also, hands and knees get weak and my face feels "droopy" with eyes rolling back into head or a almost irresistible urge to my eyes.

2) Sleep paralyis: I have been experiencing this for years. It happens almost on a daily basis and has been occurring since my early teens. It was unpleasant in the beginning but I've gotten used to it and can "pull out" pretty quickly if things start getting "sketchy."

3) Hypnogogic hallucinations: Oh yeah...big time. Usually this takes place at the same time as the SP when I am falling asleep (rarely when I awaken.) I feel an oppressive weight on my chest of abdomen or chest, hear a very loud noice, feel some vibrations, etc. After that all sorts of weird things can happen. Sometimes people come into my room and chat with me and I see them with my eyes open - usually friends or my wife. Typically nothing scary. I also do a lot of "astral travel" which I thought was pretty cool in the past but now I'm thinking its not so cool if its associated with EDS.

4) Low REM latency: I will often fall into REM within seconds of hitting the bed. It is not unusual for me to fall asleep have a short dream and then awake and repeat this cycle 5-10 times within 20 minutes of getting into bed. Sometimes rolling onto my side helps break the cycle, but not always; the dreams are very vivid but the sleep is not refreshing.

Any thoughts from the experts (or non-experts)? Is this possible narcolepsy? I'm in my mid-30's and otherwise very healthy. I do not drink or take any drugs (prescription or otherwise.)

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

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