It has been suggested that the cataplexy episodes are associated with muscular paralysis in the REM sleep cycle. The immune system is thought to be involved in this process and, in many cases, it is an autoimmune response triggered by an infection that causes the cell destruction. The reason for the destruction of the neurons that affect the production of hypocretin can vary greatly. In patients that suffer from cataplexy, these neurons are destroyed or disabled, which disrupts the production of hypocretin and can lead to episodes of cataplexy. There are several neurons in the hypothalamus that are usually involved in the process of production of hypocretin in the brain cells. Hypocretin in a neurotransmitter, also known as orexin, that plays an important role in the central nervous system to regulate the sleep-wake cycle and cause individuals to experience wakefulness.
Cataplexy stole my laughterĬataplexy was the tangible evidence of my brain’s inability to regulate my sleep and wake cycles.
When no physician wanted to listen to me, all I had to do was crack a joke in their sterile office room for them to understand. My 6 months of waiting for a diagnosis pales in comparison to the years and sometimes lifetimes that people go without one. It is a very specific and obvious symptom of type 1 narcolepsy, and it was part of the reason that I was able to be diagnosed and treated so quickly. In some messed up way, I am thankful that I have cataplexy. The next 6 months of my life would be filled with brain scans, blood tests, sleep tests, and more. An obvious diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1 Naming it allowed me to hate it with a passion that burned a hole in my chest where my careless joy used to reside. After extensive research, I was able to put a name to my temporary physical paralysis: it was cataplexy. The parade of nurses and doctors that I begged for help in those weeks had no idea what was wrong with me. I was falling asleep in organic chemistry and student government meetings. In this span of time, I lost my ability to drive without drifting off. Within 2 weeks, I was experiencing full-body paralysis from every giggle that dare escape me. Once it started happening, it never stopped. Then upon hearing a new joke and chortling with glee, it happened again. I convinced myself that it was nothing and continued watching my show.