Narcolepsy related to Parkinson's and/or Lupus?

[Sandmans_puppet]

I began developing symptoms of narcolepsy in high school, however, due to a lack of understanding at the time, it was not diagnosed until I was 23. My grandfather on maternal side had Parkinson's as long as I can remember, and I recently learned of a history of Lupus on paternal side; including grandmother, two aunts and my father himself. As a child, I always remember my grandfather, with his tremors, being prone to falling asleep any time he sat down. We used to tease that he had a button on his bottom. Recently my father has suggested that he thinks he might have my problem, meaning Narcolepsy. I am curious to know how many people, with either Parkinson's or Lupus, has also been diagnosed with or shown symptoms of Narcolepsy. I have read recently that Narcolepsy has been determined to be auto-immune in nature, and wonder if the presence of one or both of these disorders in my genetics was the cause of my Narcolepsy. Has there been any research done on the subject?

[Alyiss_20]

Hi!

My brother an I have narcolepsy. He also has parkinsons and I am being tested for Lupus. I definitely have and additional Autoimmune disease but not sure what. So it is possible. We have been told our illnesses may be possibly from mitochondrial disease but we are yet to be diagnosed with mito as it is a very long process.

Cheers,
Laura

[TheLightSeeker]

Autoimmune diseases have been linked to the impaired ability of the body to remove cellular debris
(dead and unwanted cells) which
could explain the immune system's "auto-attack".
The cleansing of cellular debris
and increasing enzyme activity, including the one responsible for
this function, is the job of the thyroid.
--Source: Nature Genetics June 2000--
Deposition of excess mucin  in the connective tissues is associated with many A/I connective  tissue conditions like RA , Lupus, Polymyositis etc.
Please refer to my previous posts
in this thread for suggestions.
Best wishes,
Niko

[TheLightSeeker]

Hi Donna, if you read my previous post, you'll understand why, your Hashimoto's (autoimmune hypothyroid) is likely under-regulated.
This may have to do with  stressed adrenals which are down-regulating thyroid function, for ...adrenal recovery.
This process involves the conversion of  thyroxine (T4) into reverse T3, which reduces your free  or bioavailable triiodothyronine (T3)
So if you are on Synthroid or Levothyroxine or other thyroid med that contains
mostly T4, you might be compromising your thyroid regulation further!

Your BP is indeed low, you may have hyponatremia, so try a bit of additional natural sea-salt in your diet.

Low BP is a symptom of low adreanal function.

You sure need a good Endo-I would look for a reputable Functional Medicine Doctor who has training in Holistic Endocrinology.

BTW, have you done a sleep study?

best wishes,
Niko

[donna_723]

I am new here and just reading this. I also have Narcolepsy, but was told it was caused by my Hashimoto's disease. My temperature is always around 97.4. My normal BP is around 90/60, which is very low considering I am 62. I have been tested for Lupus and between the rheumatologist and nephrologist, they couldn't decide. Nephrologist said yes (I had the butterfly rash) and his testing was positive. Rheumatologist said his testing was negative,but then said he was giving me a test that never failed, and it came back inconclusive. Five markers were positive; four were negative. I hope you have found your answers. I have yet to find an endocrinologist that knows what he's really doing. Good luck!!

[napforthat]

I found your post, and though it is months later...
I am diagnosed with Lupus and Narcolepsy. Only recently(the last year) has any doctor ever acknowledged that there may be a connectioin. The neurologist that I see for Narcolepsy believes that since both are autoimune diseases it is very likely they are related. My tiredness from Lupus is nothing at all like a sleep attack from Narcolepsy, but lucky me I get both!! Hope you have found more, better answers than mine, just wanted to communicate my experience!

[TheLightSeeker]

There's speculation that reduced numbers -due to autoimmune response- of specific neurons which produce an appetite or sleep pattern regulating protein - Orexin A- may be a co-factor in Narcolepsy.

Most people who have narcolepsy with cataplexy have the HLA-DQB1*06:02  gene variation.
--Source:  U.S. National Library of Medicine/Genetics Home Reference ---

Also--> "Complex HLA-DR and -DQ interactions confer risk of narcolepsy-cataplexy in three ethnic groups."
--Ref: PMID: 11179016 --  Free Article

Any links to Lupus or Parkison's are difficult to establish scientifically, however I would suggest you look into unregulated or underegulated thyroid function, often underlying these 2 conditions.
If your blood tests are normal try the Barnes basal temperature test.
Just do an online search for details.
Unusually low temps < 97.8 may indicate subclinical hypothyroidism.
Dr. Mark Starr: "A host of other problems have been linked with hypothyroidism. In Dr. Barnes' opinion, 99 times out of 100, when a low basal temperature is associated with an illness, a trial of thyroid medication is called for. I agree completely."

The dopaminergic system which drives the liver's cytochrome P-450  detoxification function( also affecting brain detox!) is dependant on adequate thyroid function.
Methylation factors, sulfation and detoxification protocols along with optimized thyroid function might well justify a trial.

Should you need more specific information on this, let me know, however,  please note that my comments and suggestions are not intended to replace medical advice.

Best wishes
Niko