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Is it common for narcolepsy symptoms to change over time ? Mine have !

A MyNarcolepsyTeam Member asked a question 💭
Houston, TX

I’ll go years, and then I have periods lasting from a few months to almost a year long where I fall down every couple days, and l can’t even put my arms out to brace my fall. Sometime I don’t even remember falling till I’m already on the ground. Also, I used to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. I was tested at an average of 0.4 seconds at first test, but now I have a hard time going to sleep and usually wake up from an hour to 3 hours every night. I’ll usually get 4 hours at the… read more

August 25, 2025
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MyNarcolepsyTeam

Yes, narcolepsy symptoms can fluctuate over time. The episodes you're describing where you fall down without being able to brace yourself are symptoms of cataplexy, which is characteristic of type 1 narcolepsy. These episodes can indeed vary in frequency and severity over different periods.

Your experience with disrupted Show Full Answer

Yes, narcolepsy symptoms can fluctuate over time. The episodes you're describing where you fall down without being able to brace yourself are symptoms of cataplexy, which is characteristic of type 1 narcolepsy. These episodes can indeed vary in frequency and severity over different periods.

Your experience with disrupted nighttime sleep (DNS) is also common in narcolepsy. Studies show that between 30-95% of people with narcolepsy experience DNS, including difficulty staying asleep and frequent night wakings. The changes in your sleep patterns reflect how narcolepsy affects the brain's ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Your better sleep during daylight hours suggests your circadian rhythm (internal body clock) may be affected. In narcolepsy, the brain's "sleep switch" in the hypothalamus doesn't function properly due to dysregulated hypocretin, which can lead to unstable sleep patterns and varying symptoms over time.

August 25, 2025

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