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Are Hallucinations, Sleep Paralysis And Daytime Sleepiness Symptoms Of Narcolepsy?
Question: Thanks for your response. I feel I left out a few pertinent details and want to quickly address them, then mention 2 diagnostic possibilities I fear and ask your opinion on them. First off, I was in a car accident in 2006 which severely fractured my facial bones and, despite no obvious brain bleeds on the MRI, I was told there could be some minor brain damage. All my issues began directly after the accident. I have PTSD, namely a fear or riding in cars with strangers or driving too fast. I have anxiety attacks (treated with Klonopin) and I doubt the issue was overdose because my doctor halved the dose of it a few months ago. SSRI and SNRIs give me several side effects including weight gain and bladder retention issues so I felt most comfortable with the Klonopin- better anxiety control, less wetting myself. I have a history of drug abuse, but this was limited to opiates (for the first 6 months after my accident, at which poi
nt I quit cold turkey), ecstasy (always reagent tested to verify MDMA presence without adulterants) and psychedelics. All that being said, my 2 fears from these sudden, unexpected and novel dizziness, fainting, visual disturbances and muscle weakness are the following: 1)Transient Ischemic Attacks (seems to fit fairly well with you suggestion of pseudostrokes). The 2nd is Narcolepsy. I suffer from hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and chronic daytime sleepiness, even when I get a full night's sleep. I avoided this possibility before , but the "episodes" as I call them fit extremely well with Cataplexy, the defining feature of Narcolepsy. So now, after that long message, my question is do you think there is a chance of this being Narcolepsy or TIAs?
nt I quit cold turkey), ecstasy (always reagent tested to verify MDMA presence without adulterants) and psychedelics. All that being said, my 2 fears from these sudden, unexpected and novel dizziness, fainting, visual disturbances and muscle weakness are the following: 1)Transient Ischemic Attacks (seems to fit fairly well with you suggestion of pseudostrokes). The 2nd is Narcolepsy. I suffer from hypnagogic hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and chronic daytime sleepiness, even when I get a full night's sleep. I avoided this possibility before , but the "episodes" as I call them fit extremely well with Cataplexy, the defining feature of Narcolepsy. So now, after that long message, my question is do you think there is a chance of this being Narcolepsy or TIAs?
Brief Answer:
I think it may be narcolepsy but need to evaluate more
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for your query.
First of all i would like to tell you that klonopin is for temporary relief of anxiety, for permanent relief you need to start some other SSRI, SNRI, SPARI etc..
AS you described that you had side effects with SSRI and SNRI, you can start new molecule named Vilazodone ( SPARI group ) which has least side effects.
As your problem started after an accident then it may be possible that it is not of narcolepsy or TIA.
It may be some individual anxiety disorder for which you need to take proper treatment.
Sometimes due to addiction to different substance also cause such kind of anxiety problems.
Need to know detail like since when you discontinue substance, is there any other symptoms or signs, any medical problems?
For proper diagnosis and treatment need to valuate in detail.
Consult local psychiatrist for detail history and mental status examination.
Thank you
I think it may be narcolepsy but need to evaluate more
Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thank you for your query.
First of all i would like to tell you that klonopin is for temporary relief of anxiety, for permanent relief you need to start some other SSRI, SNRI, SPARI etc..
AS you described that you had side effects with SSRI and SNRI, you can start new molecule named Vilazodone ( SPARI group ) which has least side effects.
As your problem started after an accident then it may be possible that it is not of narcolepsy or TIA.
It may be some individual anxiety disorder for which you need to take proper treatment.
Sometimes due to addiction to different substance also cause such kind of anxiety problems.
Need to know detail like since when you discontinue substance, is there any other symptoms or signs, any medical problems?
For proper diagnosis and treatment need to valuate in detail.
Consult local psychiatrist for detail history and mental status examination.
Thank you
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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