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When I read the messages about dozing off, I was reminded of the intriguing
condition called Narcolepsy. So many of the sleep and fatigue problems that
have been described by Barbara, Joyce, and Camilla sounded similar.

According to the Center for Narcolepsy Research at the University of
Illinois at Chicago, the signs of Narcolepsy include falling asleep at
inappropriate times,(like driving a car or while talking to someone --- or
as I recall from a long ago lecture on the subject, even while engaged in an
intensely romantic interlude!!) These episodes are accompanied by muscle
weakness. There may be hallucinations and shouting at the onset of sleep, or
on awakening. There often is disturbed nightime sleep and leg jerking.

The cause of narcolepsy is not known, but is believed it is due to
abnormalities in brain chemistry. (We all know the sort of problems that can
lead to.) It may be related to a genetic defect that triggers an
inappropriate immune response, according to some investigators.

The item that grabbed my attention was a report from the Stanford University
Sleep Disorder Center. In a study of dogs with Narcolepsy they found that
Dopamine D2 agonists are among the few classes of components that can
aggravate these episodes, whereas barbituates and benzodiazepines did not.

So, while PWPs do not have Narcolepsy, do some of us have a problem with
some of our medications precipitating seemingly similar attacks of fatigue
and "doze modes"? Its on my list to ask our neurologist, because some of
these signs are happening to my husband too. Does anyone have any
information about dopamine agonists like Permax and these attacks of muscle
weakness and sleep attacks??

Martha