Narcolepsy

[christinagrace]

Hey there. I am in the same boat - I haven't been diagnosed, but did see a sleep doctor for an initial visit but haven't been back yet. I too have the very strange sleep paralysis and hallucinations. I thought the EXACT same thing, like it felt I was having seizures and in fact that is how I described it to the doctor. He thought possibly narcolepsy. He also asked if I felt tingly or numb when I experience the ridiculous extreme sleepiness and yes, actually I do. It is so bad that literally if I were to be questioned by a cop when it happens I'd be arrested for being on drugs or drunk - my speech slurs and everything. My question is has anyone experienced this, but suffered insomnia at night time? I struggled for years to fall asleep at night and actually this is when the symptoms above started. I do now sleep at night with the help of prescribed sleep meds and can honestly say that the paralysis and hallucinations have reduced dramatically since I began taking them. It use to happen to me EVERY SINGLE TIME I TRIED FALLING ASLEEP. Ive always had very vivid dreams, even as child, but this sleeping disorder, the insomnia, and narcolepsy (if that's what it is) ONLY started during a time period when I had back problems and was on high doses of narcotic pain meds. I spent years on and off the meds, ultimately becomming hooked. I am now off all forms of narcotics, for over a year, but the sleep problems continue. My question would be, can frequent use of opiates CAUSE sleep disorders, such as insomnia and narcolepsy? My thinking is maybe yes since the opiates mess with the chemicals and receptors in your brain, so maybe it messed other stuff up in my brain resulting in the sleeping problems...Every doctor I've asked said no, but I still think I'm on to something..

[christoph]

christina , for what you describe it is definit signs of narcolepsy, I believe the more you think of your childhood days you may remember events that showed signs of narcolepsy, like vivid dreams, or paralized feeling. Or little more tired then other kids in your 5-12 years of life. Teenagers are normal to sleep alot . so I wouldn't reference my charactor during my teen days. But , ages 5-10 I experienced much of what I experience at 51 but a more indepth effect at this age. It is a liitle bit frustrating.
I may have mentioned befor beware of the drugs you do because they can quietly destroy you both mentally and physically. Walking is the best exersizes to help battle that fatigue take down.