Thank you for your post! Sounds awfully scary to be falling asleep behind the wheel--I'm so sorry.
Have you been tested for Narcolepsy? They often perform an EEG, ECG, monitor your breathing and perform a genetic test (since Narcolepsy is often genetic). Your doctor may also perform a polysomnogram, which is a sleep study and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). This test measures how long it takes you to fall asleep during a daytime nap. Patients with narcolepsy fall asleep much faster than people without the condition.
There is no known cure for narcolepsy. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.
Lifestyle adjustments and learning to cope with the emotional and other effects of the disorder may help you function better in work and social activities. This involves:
Eating light or vegetarian meals during the day and avoiding heavy meals before important activities
Scheduling a brief nap (10 to 15 minutes) after meals, if possible
Planning naps to control daytime sleep and reduce the number of unplanned, sudden sleep attacks
Informing teachers and supervisors about the condition so you are not punished for being "lazy" at school or work
You may need to take prescription medications. The stimulant drug modafinil (Provigil) is the first choice of treatment for narcolepsy. It is much less likely to be abused than other stimulants. The medicine also helps you stay awake. Other stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, DextroStat) and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Antidepressant medications can help reduce episodes of cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. Antidepressants include:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine
Tricyclic antidepressants such as protriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, and desipramine
Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is prescribed to certain patients for use at night.
If you have narcolepsy, you may have driving restrictions. Restrictions vary from state to state.
For more information on Narcolepsy, visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001805/
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Hi Anon,
Thank you for your post! Sounds awfully scary to be falling asleep behind the wheel--I'm so sorry.
Have you been tested for Narcolepsy? They often perform an EEG, ECG, monitor your breathing and perform a genetic test (since Narcolepsy is often genetic). Your doctor may also perform a polysomnogram, which is a sleep study and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). This test measures how long it takes you to fall asleep during a daytime nap. Patients with narcolepsy fall asleep much faster than people without the condition.
There is no known cure for narcolepsy. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms.
Lifestyle adjustments and learning to cope with the emotional and other effects of the disorder may help you function better in work and social activities. This involves:
Eating light or vegetarian meals during the day and avoiding heavy meals before important activities
Scheduling a brief nap (10 to 15 minutes) after meals, if possible
Planning naps to control daytime sleep and reduce the number of unplanned, sudden sleep attacks
Informing teachers and supervisors about the condition so you are not punished for being "lazy" at school or work
You may need to take prescription medications. The stimulant drug modafinil (Provigil) is the first choice of treatment for narcolepsy. It is much less likely to be abused than other stimulants. The medicine also helps you stay awake. Other stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, DextroStat) and methylphenidate (Ritalin).
Antidepressant medications can help reduce episodes of cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. Antidepressants include:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine
Tricyclic antidepressants such as protriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, and desipramine
Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is prescribed to certain patients for use at night.
If you have narcolepsy, you may have driving restrictions. Restrictions vary from state to state.
For more information on Narcolepsy, visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001805/
Wishing you the best!
Rosa
June 8, 2011 - 6:39amThis Comment
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