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Sleep Paralysis?

Waitingindreams

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Waitingindreams Enthusiast
Waitingindreams
Posted

I've had a semi-frequent issue with sleep paralysis for years now. That, mixed with my chronic fatigue and inability to stay awake even when struggling - led me to believe I had narcolepsy. I was tested for narcolepsy and diagnosed with Idiopathic Central Nervous System Hypersomnia..which is close to narcolepsy. This was in August of 2012.

 

I was prescribed a drug called Nuvigil, which I was paranoid about taking because of the side effects - not to mention it was very expensive. Now that I have been diagnosed with celiac disease, the sleep/fatigue issues are still there, but to a lesser extent.

 

I haven't noticed the sleep paralysis for awhile, but just today when I was napping (I'm sick, so I missed work) it happened a few times. It's terrifying, and I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Is there any connection to celiac disease/gluten at all? It's really, really scary - because sometimes I stop breathing in my sleep and I have to force myself awake. It's unsettling. (And no, I don't have sleep apnea or any other issues, I've been tested)

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shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

I would get it every so often before i went gluten free. So far, I think i've only had it once in about two years or so.

Waitingindreams Enthusiast
Waitingindreams
Posted
  • Author

That's certainly good to hear. It hasn't happened with me in awhile either - this is the first time since I've been diagnosed, I think. It was happening pretty frequently before. What is scary is that sometimes I toss and turn and end up on my stomach with my face in the pillow..and then the paralysis would set in and I was suffocating, I couldn't breathe -- and I had to force myself awake so that I could move my face and breathe. This happened multiple times...but I sometimes stop breathing even when my face ISN'T in the pillow...like if I'm having a dream where I'm underwater or something. Ridiculous. The sleep specialist gave me no help or insight on this at all, so i do hope it will go away with time/a healthier diet.

  • 4 weeks later...
Cary Newbie
Cary
Posted

I used to have all sorts of issues when I was in my 20s, before I figured out all my problems.  I had serious constipation before the Celiac was ever discovered, and I therefore don't know if I always had Celiac or the Celiac only popped up after my gallbladder surgery.  But I always had headaches, migraines, insomnia, daytime falling asleep (even standing up), malaise, low weight, couldn't gain weight, skin problems, Raynaud's, and on and on. 

 

I noticed a problem with peanuts causing headaches when I was little, although family members scoffed over this. 

 

I also had some improvement with phlegm and maybe some other things by stopping dairy. 

 

Since having my gallbladder out and having the surgeon tell me I had Celiac disease and stopping gluten, I stopped having Raynaud's.  My insomnia seems more linked to constipation, but I supplement all my deficiencies, and that seems to be helping the insomnia also.  My pain issues (aching bones) is resolved now.  I take magnesium in the morning, calcium and vitamin D (2000 IU) at night, and 25 of zinc. 

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