[malyndia]

I was recently diagnosed with narcolepsy. No, I don't pass out everywhere, like most might think (or in some cases here actually experience) but I have other symptoms which while sitting down with my sleep doctor, I have had confirmed are caused by my narcolepsy. I was reading more online about the disorder and found info that it is connected to a disruption in the hypothalimus which causes the brain to never really register the sensation of being rested... it is in this same spot that the sensation of hunger is controlled as well... my question is could there be a correlation between the narcolepsy and overeating, could there be a dissruption in both sensations? I never really feel full until I am stuffed and physically hurting, and I am never really hungery until I am famished, and I wondered if anyone else was experiencing this? Thanks for any help. I was going to ask about this at my next follow up, but wanted to see if it was just me.

[narcofarkle]

Yes, I read that somewhere, but I don't remember where. It's just my opinion, of course, but I believe when all's been said and done, future research will reveal links to many other abnormalities.

[pugmom]

I am new to this forum. I was diagnosed with narcolepsy about 3 weeks ago. My N symptoms really started becoming a problem about six months ago. Since that time, I've gained almost 30 lbs! I've experienced almost the exact same thing that you're describing. I want to eat ALL THE TIME... I hardly ever feel "full." Please know that you're not alone. I wonder if there's anything that can be done for this - is it controllable, or even reversable?

[narcofarkle]

That is the part of the brain that controls appetite and other things. So it's not just you. Many narcoleptics have problems with appetite control. Actually, narcoleptics have problems with lots of things. When that part of the brain is malfunctioning, it's bound to affect some or all of the other things it controls, as well as the sleep/wake cycle.

[Hibit]

I have recently been diagnosed with Narcolepsy, so I have been spending hours researching it. I have read that many people with Narcolepsy are also overweight, so there is a correlation. I know that people with Narcolepsy have less of the protein that produces the neurotransmitters that separate the 'sleep' and 'wake' parts of the brain.
I don't know if that is located in the hypothalamus or not.

Personally, I have never had a weight problem or eating problem. Though I always get up in the middle of the night and eat cookies...