Narcolepsy

Question: Since narcolepsy is genetic, could it be caused by a mutated recessive mitochondrial DNA gene? Even though Men don't pass on mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA), and only females do; both sexes are still inherited the gene. As a female, if both your parents don't currently have narcolepsy; could it be that it is a recessive gene inherited from the mitochrondrial DNA? Also my grandparents don't have narcolepsy however, it has been diagnosed as being genetic.... what's a good explanation for that?

Answer: Since you inherit your mother's mitochondrial DNA, and it's the same in all her body thus all the same in your body, if it were mutated, I don't think it would be considered recessive. I think it would be dominant and would be in all of the female's children because all would inherit her defective mitochondrial DNA. If a gene is recessive, you have to have 2 defective copies of it (for chromosomal genes) or if it is on the X chromosome and you are male (because males only have one copy of the X chromosome). On wikipedia it says that narcolepsy might be linked to an area on chromosome 6 that includes a gene called HLA.

Question: What is the pathophysiological basis for narcolepsy or hypersomnolence? I'm trying to understand these conditions beyond textbook exerpt and internet sites describing narcolepsy in scant detail. Please help provide some more details if you can. I am highly interested in these disorders and what exactly causes them. Also, what is the best treatment?

Answer: Narcolepsy is thought to result from genetic predisposition, abnormal neurotransmitter functioning and sensitivity, and abnormal immune modulation. Current data implicate certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) subtypes and abnormalities in monoamine synaptic transmission, particularly in the pontine reticular activating system.

Question: Narcolepsy and the effects on a military carrer? I want to hear from people that understand the effects of narcolepsy and the people I would like to hear from are those who were in the military and discharged because of it. I have been rated at 10% disabled due to narcolepsy but they havent been able to treat the problem with medication. I have been an 5 or more drugs and all at very high dose to max doses of the drug and I still feel the same. I want to hear your thoughts on what amount of disability you think a person should receive. I also started haveing narcolepsy symptoms after returning from a tour in Iraq. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: The following medical conditions could result in initiation of a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), and could result in medical discharge: Narcolepsy. When attacks are no Narcolepsy. When attacks are not controlled by medication.t controlled by medication. Any other neurological condition, regardless of etiology, when after adequate treatment, there remain residuals, such as persistent severe headaches, weakness or paralysis of important muscle groups, deformity, incoordination, pain or sensory disturbance, disturbance of consciousness, speech, or mental defects, or personality changes of such a degree as to definitely interfere with the performance of duty. I think that you could find a lawyer that would help you get a larger precentage for your disability benfit. I read also were they have more drugs comming out for marcolepsy control.

Question: Can you help with narcolepsy and possible catoplexy? Falling asleep when I don't want to, same time every day, I'm told its narcolepsy. Now I feel like I can't move, like I'm paralyzed, in my sleep, but not a dream. Ifyou have one or both, can you give me tips on what I can take to make it better.

Answer: First of all who told you that you had narcolepsy or even catoplexy. You need to see a pulmonologist who is also a board certified sleep specialist. Only then after a battery of test will you have a definite diagnosis. There are medications that can be taken, these are by prescription only. They are not to be treated lightly. I understand your concerns and frustration. My husband has sleep apnea with pickwickian syndrome. Pickwickian is very similar to narcolepsy. He is much better now that he is under the care of a MD and is following his advice. Contact your MD and ask for a referral as they usually take about a month to get into see one. Best of luck.

Question: Is it legal to drive in Canada after being diagnosed with narcolepsy? I had a friend recently diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplex, is she legally allowed to obtain a licence in Canada?

Answer: Narcolepsy goes in the same category at epilepsy and legally she should not be allowed to obtain a license.

Question: What happens in the brain when you have narcolepsy? Im doing a research project in school and I need info about what happens in the brain when you have narcolepsy. I've been searching and searching on google and all of the articles say the same things like what it is, symptoms, and other stuff like that. i really need help!

Answer: depends on what you mean by "what happens in the brain." if you're asking about how this comes to be and what exactly is going on in our physiology, then the latest theory is that our brains are missing a particular peptide (amino acids) called hypocretins or orexins. researchers think this is caused by our auto-immune systems destroying them during the fetal development of that particular part of the brain, possibly in response to exposure to a virus. (those born in march have a higher rate of being born with this, partly because the mother is in her second trimester during the big cold/flu season...while those born in september have the lowest, which puts the pregnant mom in her second trimester during a low cold/flu time of year.) the orexins regulate things like the body's ability to stay awake. hence, no orexins, no fighting sleep. here's a few websites on that: http://www.npi.ucla.edu/sleepresearch/NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY25/NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY25.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orexin http://www.phschool.com/science/science_news/articles/narcolepsy_science.html if you're asking about what it's like to go thru it, that's a different and much longer story. feel free to IM me if that's what's you're looking for. :-)

Question: What is a good OTC stimulant for Narcolepsy? I have narcolepsy and cannot really afford the prescription drugs. Any suggestions?

Answer: Caffeine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine. Vigorous excercise several times a day also helps.

Question: Is there another medical term used for narcolepsy? I was dx's with a sleeping disorder about a year ago that has the same symptoms at Narcolepsy but I am sure my Doc didn't call it Narcolepsy. Is there another medical name for it? I was perscribed Provigil for it.

Answer: Hangover.

Question: What are the current drugs for cataplexy and mild Narcolepsy? I've had mild narcolepsy and cataplexy. I manage it w/o drugs, mostly, with naps and sometimes a good night's sleep. In the beginning I took some antidepressants against the cataplexy and a stimulant against the daytime sleepiness, but quit when I started having babies. Now, three years later, I'm finished nursing my children and will look into something to help the daytime sleepiness in the afternoons (driving, etc.) What's out there now for cataplexy. I hated taking antidepressants and would rather not start them again. Any advice? Sarina I have heard about Xyrem. Any experience with that or other drugs from those who know about narcolepsy and have experience with the current drugs would be much appreciated.

Answer: Don't take medication geared towards mental health issues lightly. You really should be asking a professional. And if you don't trust the answer, seek a second opinion from another professional. Many of these drugs are addictive or they have very serious side effects. No matter what you decide to do, you need to have a professional observing the effects the drug has on your brain and your body. The people answering your question on this site, cannot make these observations even if they know what they are talking about (don't take that for granted). TALK TO A PROFESSIONAL!!!

Question: How does Narcolepsy affect the Nervous System? I am doing an assignment on Narcolepsy and i need to know how the nervous sytem of a Narcoleptic differs from a healthy nervous system. Please help, very urgent ! ! :-)

Answer: Here: http://sulcus.berkeley.edu/mcb/165_001/papers/manuscripts/_267.html There is a profound explanation for narcoleptic disorder. Under normal conditions, brain wave shows a regular rhythm when an individual is awake. When the person falls asleep, the brain waves become slower and less regular. This sleep state is called non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. When the person enters in deep sleep, the brain waves begin to show active pattern again. This sleep state is called rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep. Dreaming usually occurs at this state. In narcolepsy, the order and length of NREM and REM sleep periods are disturbed, with REM sleep occurring at the onset, instead of after, of NREM sleep. Thus, narcolepsy is a disorder with REM occurring at abnormal time. Neurological Aspects of Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is a central nervous system disorder with characteristic symptoms of cataplexy and abnormal REM latency. Neurochemical and electrophysiological studies have shown that narcolepsy is associated with an abnormal cholinergic supersensitivity and a monoaminergic (dopamine and norepinephrine) hypoactivity. (Nishino S et al. 1995)

Question: Narcolepsy ??????????? Narcolepsy ?????????????? wat is narcolepsy and wats does it affect a teen boy (sexually)

Answer: Narcolepsy is a disease most commonly recognized by short bits of extreme fatigue during a period of strong emotion (sometimes other times it just happens) More than likely this will cause the person to fall into a state of sleep. Narcolepsy runs in my family and I have dealt with a Great Grandma that had narcolepsy and my mom also has it (mildly). To other people who live with people who have Narcolepsy it can be very irritating to be honest. As far as sexually I am not really sure but I would assume it could cause him to fall into a state of sleep during sex because of the excitement.

Question: What do I do when his Narcolepsy kicks in? My boyfriend has had this condition for a while. Even was in action the first time I met him, but anyway, he's 6'5 and 228lbs worth of muscle EVERYWHERE, we are having a great sex life as a couple. At first this didn't get in the way, now he will literally be a second from orgasm and will become dead sleep weight on TOP during or before the orgasm. Mind you he's penetrated and all or even during oral fast asleep with everything as he left it, myself being 5'8 150lbs I can't really take it anymore; I've seen charts of him being sterile, but still, I don't want to take chances of getting pregnant through this; I've only been able to get away about 40% of the time because of position or how much muscles I have that night. What should I do when his Narcolepsy kicks in? On top is in with the 40%. There's a whole bunch of rolling a such...but I'm thinking....

Answer: Good on you for sticking by him through this setback. As someone has already suggested, the best thing would be for you have sex with you on top instead. You'll need to guide him in and be careful that you don't his penis doesn't bend, because it can literally break (a penile fracture) if it bends too much while erect. As for what to do when the narcolepsy kicks in....if he's now on the bottom, he'll no longer be falling on top of you. So you can either continue riding him to orgasm if he's happy with that (ask him in advance) or cease and withdraw. He may even orgasm while he is asleep, it is, of course, possible.

Question: Is there anything I can take for Narcolepsy while breastfeeding? I have a 7 mo old son and he is brestfed. Before I got pregnant I was going to talk to my doctor about possibly getting medicine for narcolepsy, but with everything going on, it became the last thing on my priority list, but now It's really bad. I find myself sleepy all the time, I am having trouble staying awake and remembering things.What can I do? HELP!

Answer: We have an in-law who took monavie juice with good results for her narcolepsy. It is an all natural juice product that nursing mothers can take. Be sure to get the one without the glucosamine and celadrin; there are some safety concerns with those items. See: monavie.com (warning: it is a little on the pricey side)

Question: What medications are safe to take while pregnant to treat narcolepsy? This a question about narcolepsy and pregnancy. I realize this is a valid question, but i am asking for someone else and am simply doing research. Thanxs for the concern.

Answer: ASK YOUR DOCTOR!

Question: Can someone suffer from insomnia and narcolepsy? Remember, there are different types of narcolepsy. It's not just where you fall asleep when you are walking around. Please only reply if you know what you are talking about or suffer from one of these conditions because I am truly interested in the answer.

Answer: http://alllinthis.blogspot.com you can get much information in this website,kindly stay a minute in website and check anyone link at a time

Question: I need to know is stress can cause more narcolepsy attacks? I have a 11 yr old who has narcolepsy and epilepsy. durring the summer we go and have 3 or 4 attacks a week. well when school starts the attacks go to 3 or 4 a day. She takes 2 naps at school, but the wake her up from them. any advice?? I have also notice that is she dont eay meals and snacks she has spells. does this affect it? She can go from being a bouncing off the wall 11 yr old, to a 11 yr having to be pushed in a wheel chair. because she is so weak. I have researched, asked, and the drs are trying to adjust meds. now. does anyone know anything that can help us, be half way normal???

Answer: Yes, stressful situations can cause narcolepsy attacks. Talk to your doctor about it as he/she may want to adjust the meds.