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Suggest Treatment For Cataplexy
Question: I seem to have all the symptoms of cataplexy, are there drugs that control these episodes? Are there tests for cataplexy? I am 79 year old white male.
Brief Answer:
yes if it is part of narcolepsy, it can be treated
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Cataplexy is a brief and sudden loss of muscle tone and represents REM sleep intrusion during wakefulness.Cataplexy is seen in about 70% of patients with narcolepsy.
Its presence in conjunction with excessive daytime sleepiness strongly suggests the diagnosis of narcolepsy.
Other symptoms of narcolepsy are hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis.
Investigations required are sleep study,measurement of hypocretin (orexin) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and MRI brain to rule out other neurological causes.
Treatment of narcolepsy/cataplexy has both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic components. Sleep hygiene is important. Most patients improve if they maintain a regular sleep schedule, usually 7.5-8 hours of sleep per night. Scheduled naps during the day also may help.
Pharmacologic treatment of narcolepsy involves the use of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants such as methylphenidate, modafinil, dextroamphetamine sulfate, methamphetamine, and amphetamine. These medications help reduce daytime sleepiness, improving the symptom in 65-85% of patients.
If exclusive cataplexy is there without narcolepsy detail neurological examination is required.
- Since when are you suffering from this?
- Is there any other physical problem/disease? And are you taking any medicines from the same?
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
yes if it is part of narcolepsy, it can be treated
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Cataplexy is a brief and sudden loss of muscle tone and represents REM sleep intrusion during wakefulness.Cataplexy is seen in about 70% of patients with narcolepsy.
Its presence in conjunction with excessive daytime sleepiness strongly suggests the diagnosis of narcolepsy.
Other symptoms of narcolepsy are hypnagogic hallucinations and sleep paralysis.
Investigations required are sleep study,measurement of hypocretin (orexin) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and MRI brain to rule out other neurological causes.
Treatment of narcolepsy/cataplexy has both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic components. Sleep hygiene is important. Most patients improve if they maintain a regular sleep schedule, usually 7.5-8 hours of sleep per night. Scheduled naps during the day also may help.
Pharmacologic treatment of narcolepsy involves the use of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants such as methylphenidate, modafinil, dextroamphetamine sulfate, methamphetamine, and amphetamine. These medications help reduce daytime sleepiness, improving the symptom in 65-85% of patients.
If exclusive cataplexy is there without narcolepsy detail neurological examination is required.
- Since when are you suffering from this?
- Is there any other physical problem/disease? And are you taking any medicines from the same?
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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