Is It Safe To Take Medications For Narcolepsy During Pregnancy?

You have to make sacrifices when you are pregnant and have narcolepsy.

Pregnancy is period of joy and numerous challenges.

These challenges are intensified when narcolepsy is diagnosed.

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness accompanied by cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control.

Narcolepsy must be treated with medication. People with narcolepsy are prescribed stimulants such as provogil and ritaline to treat daytime sleepiness.

Antidepressants are prescribed to treat cataplexy. The effects of these drugs are unknown on a developing fetus, so it is better to stop taking the medication during pregnancy.

It is quite miserable for women with narcolepsy without medication, which begins with the decision to become pregnant and last until birth. Some women don’t prefer to use medications as they don’t want to take any risks for their baby.

Before conception, women with narcolepsy need to talk with their physician and evaluate their situation. Woman with narcolepsy should consider the health of the baby as well as consider own health and safety.

There are risks associated if you stop taking narcolepsy drugs, though the risks vary by drug. When you stop taking anti-depressants for cataplexy, serious effects are felt. If you stop abruptly taking anti-depressants, it can lead to bad cataplexy.

When you stop short acting stimulants like Dexedrine, it causes sleepiness. When you stop provogil and xyrem, the change is less dramatic. The best thing to stop the medication is gradually come off.

Pregnant women should work closely with doctors and sleep specialist. If you are suffering with narcolepsy and are considering motherhood, you should have support network in place.

You have to work with your family members, friends and neighbors. Explain your condition to them. Teach them what is narcolepsy and what are the signs to recognize when you need help.

Join a support group to know that you are not the only woman with narcolepsy can be comforting. Share your experience with other members of the group and learn how they manage to live normal lives.

Lifestyle Changes to Control Narcolepsy:

• You should avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine before going to bed. These substances are stimulants that prevents from falling asleep.
• You can have short naps during the day which improves your alertness and decrease the feeling of being tired.
• Keep a sleep diary and note down when you are going to sleep and when you are waking up to help physicians understand your condition.
• You have to establish regular sleep schedule that is going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time.
• Exercise at least three hours before bedtime. Exercise makes you tired and fall asleep immediately. Do not exercise close to bedtime.
• Make your sleep environment cool, quiet and dark which should be conducive to sleep.