I Have Cataplexy, Ergo I Tumble.

I am a 20-year-old with Narcolepsy (abbreviated N) and Cataplexy (C). I am an Ecology & Environmental Sciences Major pursuing an undergrad degree in the USA at present. This Tumblr is one way I try to educate people about this disorder, as well as to express myself and my own experiences with N & C. Note: PWN = Person(s) with Narcolepsy

[audreycataplexy]

[audreycataplexy]

Cataplexy Alert Keychain

Larger than a necklace, but can be worn as such. This alert is much easier to read than the smaller necklaces.

[shortvideosandstuff]

[butim-justharry-deactivated2019]

THIS GUY IS LIKE DEATH’S SON OR SOMETHING AND NOTHING YOU SAY CAN CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE

[ava-dakedavra]

I like how this guy is concerned but not concerned enough to let go of his cart

[autvmnalsky]

he’s like “why does this keep happening to me”

[audreycataplexy]

To me, this looks like a bunch of people getting cataplectic. 

[kelluoe]

Good informative article about narcolepsy and how often people have trouble getting diagnosed

[dbtanddeadlifts]

I tend to be either 3,4,5 or 6 (the four across the top going from the top right corner).

What about you guys?s

[audreycataplexy]

Well, it doesn't matter now that I've been talking about this kind of idea for a year or so, because Google just made it. Still, I'm glad it exists.

[audreycataplexy]

When I think of something funny and haven't had a chance to articulate it before I fall down, people can get pretty confused. Out of nowhere, it seems, Audrey falls down. "What is it this time?" they ask. Then they have to wait until I stop laughing in my paralysis for me to tell them what was funny. Often I start laughing again, so I don't even try to get up before I explain the trigger.

[audreycataplexy]

http://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/narcolepsy/movies/dogs.avi

[audreycataplexy]

[audreycataplexy]

The Doctor Who Coaches Athletes on Sleep

As the NBA and NHL playoffs start, a Harvard sleep specialist advises rest, not more practice, for championship teams.

[audreycataplexy]

"Summary: Sleep deprivation is known to impair a range of functions, including immune regulation and metabolic control, as well as neurocognitive processes, such as learning and memory [1]. But evidence for the role of sleep in regulating our emotional brain-state is surprisingly scarce, and while the dysregulation of affective stability following sleep loss has received subjective documentation [2,3], any neural examination remains absent. Clinical evidence suggests that sleep and emotion interact; nearly all psychiatric and neurological disorders expressing sleep disruption display corresponding symptoms of affective imbalance [4]. Independent of sleep, knowledge of the basic neural and cognitive mechanisms regulating emotion is remarkably advanced. The amygdala has a well-documented role in the processing of emotionally salient information, particularly aversive stimuli [5,6]. The extent of amygdala engagement can also be influenced by a variety of connected systems, particularly the medial-prefrontal cortex (MPFC); the MPFC is proposed to exert an inhibitory, top-down control of amygdala function, resulting in contextually appropriate emotional responses [5,6]. We have focused on this network and using functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI) have obtained evidence, reported here, that a lack of sleep inappropriately modulates the human emotional brain response to negative aversive stimuli (see Supplemental data available on-line with this issue)." http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2007.08.007

[cfsfmmcsandrelatedstudies]

Successful Gene Therapy in a Narcolepsy Animal Model

"Narcolepsy is caused by selective loss of the orexin/hypocretin-producing neurons of the hypothalamus."

In mice, “We used gene therapy to restore orexin signaling in a mouse model of narcolepsy.”

"These substantial improvements in sleepiness and other symptoms of narcolepsy demonstrate the effectiveness of orexin gene therapy in a mouse model of narcolepsy.." (Kantor et al.)

[lesfleursdumal-fleurs]

[waitinforthebus-deactivated2020]

what a great nap, i feel totally disoriented and i’m frothing with hate 

[audreycataplexy]

Sleep Country Canada | Sleep Health and Sleeping Tips | Sleep Articles

[audreycataplexy]

How to succeed? Get more sleep

In this short talk, Arianna Huffington shares a small idea that can awaken much bigger ones: the power of a good night's sleep. Instead of bragging about our sleep deficits, she urges us to shut our eyes and see the big picture: We can sleep our way to increased productivity and happiness -- and smarter decision-making.

[audreycataplexy]

NAPS: Narcolepsy Awareness Programs & Services in Canada

Narcolepsy Awareness Programs and Services