Expert: Karel Sleis - 11/5/2009

Question
Hi, my name is Brittany.I'm 18 years old and I was diagnosed with narcolepsy as of 08/06/2008. I had both a multiple sleep latency test and an overnight sleep study with the result being an early onset of REM at 24 minutes and sleep onset for 4 out of 5 naps and REM onset for 4 out of 5 naps with a mean sleep latency of 9.3 minutes.I'm not sure if I truly do have Narcolepsy and have no clue on what to do.

Answer
You need to go back to the md that dianosed you, the sleep center and be placed on medication if he feels you need it.   Go to Y.A.W.N.  young americans with narcolepsy, sleepnet.com click on disorders narcolepsy. and narcolepsy network.org.    Your local hospital can give you the name of a sleep center if you didnt, get the test done by one.just bring the results.   Anyone with 4 out of 5 naps showing rem is considered narcoleptic,  but when I took my test it was rem in under 5 minutes. it may have changed.  But rest assured if you are constantly sleeping , and tired, if you go to these websites they explain it all much better.  feel free to email again karel