r/Narcolepsy

46K archived posts · Aug 2011 – Sep 2026

Narcolepsy

r/Narcolepsy

The online community for those who either have Narcolepsy or Idiopathic Hypersomnia or have a family member with one of these diagnoses. We are not here to diagnose or confirm your self-diagnosis. We have a wiki section about Narcolepsy which may help those who suspect they suffer from a sleep disorder such as Narcolepsy but we are not a substitute for seeing a doctor.

Created Feb 10, 2010

34KMembers (last snapshot)

46KArchived posts

###New to Narcolepsy? Please read our Wiki page!

##Subreddit Links

/r/Narcolepsy Discord Server

##User FAQ

Great user posts/responses are going to be posted here from now until the wiki is up and running.
Please read the following posts before asking questions. Your question may have already been answered. Use the search bar above to find out.
Thanks
[Do I have Narcolepsy? by u/waitwuh](http://www.reddit.com/r/Narcolepsy/comments/1ro91j/i_wish_people_would_stop_asking_do_i_have/)

##Useful Videos

What is Narcolepsy?
Diagnosing Narcolepsy
Sleep Study or Polysomnogram, What to Expect & How to Prepare
Living With Narcolepsy
Treating Narcolepsy
With thanks, Harvard Medical School

##Definition

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological sleep disorder that affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. The name is from the ancient Greek narco- (to put to sleep) & -lepsis (to have a seizure). Narcoleptics suffer from the inability to remain awake during the day and to stay asleep through the night.

##Causes

Most people who have narcolepsy have low levels of hypocretin. This is a chemical in the brain that helps promote wakefulness. What causes low hypocretin levels isn't well understood.
It is thought that a combination of the following factors cause low levels of hypocretin:
Heredity/Genes
Infections
Brain injuries
Autoimmune disorders
Low histamine levels
Some research suggests that environmental toxins may also trigger narcolepsy.
"Toxins may include heavy metals, pesticides and weed killers, and secondhand smoke."
Heredity/Genes create a disposition towards developing narcolepsy, rather than causing the disorder itself.
Source: US National Institute of Health: NHLBI

##Symptoms

Common symptoms of Narcolepsy are:
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Abnormal REM sleep
Cataplexy (loss of muscle tone)
Hallucinations
Sleep paralysis
Microsleep
Nighttime wakefulness
Rapid entry into REM Sleep
Source Helpguide.org's Narcolepsy

##Diagnosis

If symptoms of narcolepsy are visible, provide evidence & ask your doctor to refer you for further testing with a specialist.
This testing often takes place overnight at a sleep clinic, under the watch of professional medical staff.
The following are used in determining a diagnosis of narcolepsy:
Sleep history
Sleep records
Polysomnogram
Multiple sleep latency test
Hypocretin test
These tests help doctors rule out signs and symptoms that could be linked to similar other sleep disorders.
Source: MayoClinic.com's Narcolepsy: Tests & Diagnosis

##Treatment

Currently there is no cure for Narcolepsy, but the symptoms of narcolepsy are controllable with medication. You should try to maintain a structured sleep schedule, which can include napping during the day if required.

##Support

##Reddits

Other communities

Reddit Rebuilt is an independent, non-commercial archive and is not affiliated with Reddit, Inc. Content belongs to its original authors.