Narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder, Stanford researcher says

[MyUsagirl]

stimulants dont work for very long........and sooner then later just make me feel irritable and weak

[missb8609]

OMG they might be on a verge of finding a cure! Hopefully it's something more permanent! Meds suck and are expensive.

[sparklingsspit]

What about 5 people in the same family having it? I have been diagnosed. 4 other people in my family have the my same symptoms as me (some worse) but have not gone to be diagnosed. I'm pretty confident you're on to something here. What kind of coincidence would that be if it only hits 1 in 2,000?

[fateola]

@sparklingsspit

There is definitely a genetic component - 85% of narcoleptics have a particular gene that is present in only a quarter of the general population. But it's not the whole story, because even with identical twins, if one has narcolepsy there is only a 1/3 chance the other will too.

[AngelaWilkins919]

I WILL BE YOUR LAB RAT!!!GET RID OF MY NARCOLEPSY PLEASE

[Rilleys]

I just wish there was a cure...

[TheTuttlevision]

My many thanks to Dr. Mignot and everyone at the Center for Narcolepsy at Stanford University.  I am so grateful that you "like challanges!" -- A hopeful parent.

[Martin420PockSMOT]

Can Narcolepsy occur from using drugs (meth) in the past?

[sweethindi]

@Martin420PockSMOT no, it is naturally occuring. due to the physical chemicals in the body that overreact. there is nothing external that can cause it.

[MeGoobie]

Narcolepsy is much, much worse than anything I have previously experienced, and I've been through a good deal of medical issues (Burkit's Lymphoma, HIV, etc.). This gives me hope though, especially as I'm HIV+, because knowing that both disorders attack T-cells could mean that getting my HIV under better control (I've had it since birth and have been having trouble keeping on medications to which I'm at least somewhat resistant) will allow me to take fewer stimulants. Ugh, I hate them...

[Tagarashi]

Do you have any more information to share since May?

[Tagarashi]

Please continue your research. Taking amphetamines everyday is no fun.

[mtv12344321]

Narcolepsy !! It is hell ....

[avalonsathena]

@mtv12344321 Yes, it is! I was diagnosed last fall, but have had it since my junior year in high school. It is difficult to keep up in school, because of it, even though I am a good student (graduated in my high school's top 10% etc.). I wish I had better coping strategies.