Narcolepsy: What is it like to have a cataplexy attack - BBC News

Narcoleptic Lucy Tonge has shared the moment she has a cataplexic episode, a condition associated with narcolepsy. NHS Choices defines cataplexy as a sudden, temporary muscle weakness or loss of muscular control. Typical symptoms include: Jaw dropping, the head slumping down, legs collapsing uncontrollably, slurred speech, finding it difficult to focus, or double vision. Cataplexy attacks are usually triggered by an emotion, such as excitement, laughter, anger or surprise. Attacks can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

[stephaniegonewild]

Narcolepsy is very hard to deal with let alone cataplexy attacks. I get cataplexy but my legs get numb warning me. I get depressive a lot. It makes my narcolepsy turn into sleeping beauty syndrome. I can sleep frim fri eve to sun easily which I did this weekend. I lose much of my life and feel hopeless like I want to die. There's just not enough help.

[BBCNews]

Narcoleptic Lucy Tonge has shared the moment she has a cataplexic episode, a condition associated with narcolepsy. NHS Choices defines cataplexy as a sudden, temporary muscle weakness or loss of muscular control. Typical symptoms include: Jaw dropping, the head slumping down, legs collapsing uncontrollably, slurred speech, finding it difficult to focus, or double vision. Cataplexy attacks are usually triggered by an emotion, such as excitement, laughter, anger or surprise. Attacks can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

[hellosunshine]

This runs in my family. My great aunt would go out every time we made her laugh or something scared her. She would get in BIG trouble at school for it. My two cousins have it too. It robs you of so many experiences!

[sameworld]

Just learnt about this in Neurology, I didn't know such a condition existed. Thank you for sharing your story🙏🏿

[bjmartinphotography]

I had a drivers ed teacher that had narcolepsy. It can be scary. It looks fake but is all so real.

[kyfy]

I have both too. You literally described every single day of my life. It's nice to not feel alone

[meganmurphy]

Yessss finally found something that looks like my brother when he has cataplexy attacks

[spacepd]

I'm pretty sure I don't have it, but someti

[namjoonparrapiouwu]

Omgggg I don’t want to think that my dad has this but seeing this I think he does. He sleeps out of nowhere and literally falls asleep immediately. He does those things like jaw dropping. I’m worried since he was in a car accident because he fell asleep while driving. Idk what to do, he doesn’t listen to me to go to the doctor.

[qaskas]

I've had cataplexy on a plane before. Thank God the co-pilot was there.

[bharatpillai]

Thank you for sharing this video. Helps us a lot, as aspiring medical students.
Big respect. Stay strong!

[linelespaper]

Not all the time but sometimes I laugh and I lose muscle control in my face and it last like a half a second but continues every other second, it’s scary

[kryptonarie]

Status cataplecticus is another form of cataplexy with narcolepsy, which I have. S.C. is an extremely rare and severe form of rebound cataplexy. Meaning, rather than having one cataplexy attack, one which lasts from a few seconds to several minutes, and then is followed by the rapid return of normal muscle tone and function. The sufferer instead has a string of continuous overlapping cataplectic attacks, attacks that look like one considerably long attack, one that lasts for several hours. Also in the most severe of cases, if the trigger causing the attacks isn't addressed and/or removed, the paralysis of status cataplecticus may last for as long as even days too.

[zzzleepyhead]

My cataplexy has gotten so much worse lately. I used to not have attacks really but within the past year they've become full body. I haven't collapsed yet but I have started dropping drinks and things in my house as well as losing feeling in my body. I get some pain sometimes too. It sucks.

[ahmadfaris]

Remember when squidward trying to paly his clarinet, and patrick fell asleep, jaw dropped and head bang to the back.

[Dr.PrettyPsychiatrist]

Thank you Lucy for sharing this video and raising awareness

[joewatson]

I'm am praying for you and have a great Christmas

[wildboarA]

I just had a cataplexy attack at work and i kept falling and trying to get back up only to fall down again and hit my head repeatedly. I couldn’t control my arms and legs and I was in an extreme state of panic

[BabyBunch]

I’ve fallen asleep standing up and woke up mid fall

[lankytor]

It’s so important we need to educate people and it’s a very dangerous situation. I hope this would help others. Thank you for sharing your experience. I met a friend online and this is something that is so misunderstood. Be safe ❤