What happens when you have narcolepsy with cataplexy?

People with narcolepsy wake up often during the night and are extremely tired during the day. They may have attacks where they suddenly fall asleep in the daytime. Some people with narcolepsy also have cataplexy — episodes of muscle weakness that are triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, surprise, or crying.

Is narcolepsy with cataplexy considered a disability?

Narcolepsy isn’t one of the conditions the SSA considers a disability. But if your symptoms interfere with your ability to do your job, you may still qualify for benefits. The Disability Benefits Help website offers a free evaluation to help you determine whether your condition is considered a disability.

How rare is narcolepsy with cataplexy?

Narcolepsy with cataplexy or narcolepsy type 1 in a rare, disabling sleep disorder, with a prevalence of 20 to 30 per 100,000. Its onset peaks in the second decade. The main features are excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy or sudden less of muscle tone triggered by emotional situations.

What does it feel like to have cataplexy?

Cataplexy is sudden muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions like embarrassment, laughter, surprise, or anger. Cataplexy can cause your head to drop, your face to droop, your jaw to weaken, or your knees to give way. Attacks can also affect your whole body and cause you to fall down.

What happens in the brain during cataplexy?

Cataplexy and sleep paralysis are unusual states in which the brain circuits that produce paralysis during REM sleep become active during wakefulness. During REM sleep, most muscles are paralyzed by circuits in the lower brainstem and spinal cord.

Can narcolepsy be fatal?

Narcolepsy isn’t a deadly disease by itself, but episodes can lead to accidents, injuries, or life-threatening situations. Additionally, people with narcolepsy may have difficulty maintaining jobs, doing well in school, and have problems maintaining relationships due to episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness.

What does narcolepsy with cataplexy look like?

Other symptoms may include sudden muscle weakness while awake that makes a person go limp or unable to move (cataplexy), vivid dream-like images or hallucinations, and total paralysis just before falling asleep or just after waking up (sleep paralysis).

Is cataplexy a disability?

Your Legal Rights. Narcolepsy is a recognized disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Under this law, your employer must make reasonable accommodations, like letting you adjust your schedule or take brief rest breaks, to deal with your narcolepsy symptoms.