does anyone here know anything about hypokalemia and sleep narcolepsy?

Question

I read that hyperkalemia resembles sleep narcolepsy. I was diagnosed with sleep narcolepsy, how ever, a person who falls asleep due to narcolepsy is supposed to wake up refreshed. In a research study, (peer reviewed) they found the symptoms of hypokalemia to immitate narcolepsy. but i noticed one important difference. People with hypokalemia, don't get the refreshing naps, but can have prolonged muscle weakness, (Which more resembles me) then sleep narcolepsy. I understand that pottassium plays a part in it. Does anyone have input? I am hoping i do not really have this, because it can be life threatening, where sleep paralysis in narcolepsy is not (unless one falls asleep at the wheel) but my sleep is more controlled then just instantly falling asleep. Any info. could really, really help. thanks

sorry, i tried to find the source, again. I thought i had saved it to favorites. Its not there. made sense to me though, because alot of the symptoms are alike. The study even found that during an attack, people REM like they do in narcolepsy. I wonder if alot of people are being misdiagnosed. If you want to find info on both just type in " narcolepsy and pottassium and hypokalemia. You may be able to find it like this.

Answer 1

HYPOkalemia=decreased levels of potassium in the blood.
HYPERkalemia=increased levels of potassium in the blood.
Muscle weakness, nausea, diarrhea and cardiac(heart) problems are associated with with Hyperkalemia. It can be very dangerous to experience either HYPER or HYPOkalemia because of the effects that both can have on your heart (as well as other systems). Fluid and electrolyte imbalances are serious and need to be diagnosed and managed by a physician, so I would direct further questions to your doctor. There are several endocrine abnormalities that can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances, so I would suggest seeking the advice of physician. Your primary physician can refer you to a specialist (endocrinologist or otherwise) should you need further intervention.

Answer 2

I have Narcolepsy and I have been told by my Dr., done my own research, and know from my experience that you normally aren't refreshed after a nap. Narcolepsy is excessive daytime sleepiness, and because you go straight into REM sleep and dont go through all the stages of sleep like a normal person, you dont feel refreshed. Sleep stages are like a hill and you have to go up and back down and then wake up and feel refreshed, well if you sleep for a long period of time, beyond your 6-8 hours, you start the stages over and if you wake up in the middle you are tired still. With Narcolepsy you arent going through the stages like you should, you are mostly in REM sleep, so you dont feel awake, thats why you are always tired.

As for the muscle weakness, have you talked to your doctor about Cataplexy. Alot of people with Narcolepsy have Cataplexy also, which the sudden loss of voluntary muscle tone.

Below is a link to a fact sheet on Narcolepsy with information about Cataplexy and other conditions normally associated with Narcolepsy.

Answer 3

I was told by the Dr. I had narcolepsy and they gave me meds but, I stoped taking them, I would just fall a sleep at boring stuff like waiting for dinner, or in a waiting room. I think I just get bored easy.

Answer 4

potassium problems are likely unrelated to sleep, arrythmias are more likely from hypo or hyper kalemias. you can start with your primary doctor to evalute electrlytes, thyroid and then consider a sleep specialist (mostly pulmonologist or neurologist) for further evaluation or treatment, good luck

Answer 5

Cite your source. Never heard of any association.