Could this be caused by sleep disorder? - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Citykittie · 04-13-2003, 02:10 AM

I don't have all the details but ...

My 50 yr old aunt has had sleeping problems and she ended up being put on some type of breathing machine while she slept. Apparently she wasn't getting enough oxygen while in the sleeping position.

So yesterday she was out and felt the side of her face go numb and she felt like she was loosing control of her legs. She went into a doctor who is running tests and is talking about nerve damage or thyroid problems.

Just thought since lack of oxygen and sleep disorder is a major problem for her if you guys had experienced anything like this????

Any help is appreciated

[This message has been edited by Citykittie (edited 04-13-2003).]

Jelibean · 04-13-2003, 02:20 AM

Hi

I don't have many details, but there is something called cataplexy which sometimes accompanies Narcolepsy. Cataplexy is " A sudden loss of muscle tone and strength, usually caused by an extreme emotional stimulus."

With the machine it sounds like she has sleep apnea "A temporary suspension of breathing occurring repeatedly during sleep that often affects overweight people or those having an obstruction in the breathing tract, an abnormally small throat opening, or a neurological disorder".

There are many good sites on sleep disorders such as: [url="http://www.sleepnet.com"]www.sleepnet.com[/url] or [url="http://www.sleepfoundation.org"]www.sleepfoundation.org[/url] or [url="http://www.talkaboutsleep.com"]www.talkaboutsleep.com[/url] and many others.

good luck

awakatnight447 · 04-19-2003, 02:04 PM

I would have to look in a direction other than Cataplexy. Can you provide more details on when her "numbness" and "weakness" symptoms first appeared, their duration and her state of consciousness? Also does she have hypertension, atrial fibrillaton or a prior stroke?