3 replies to this topic

[BeautyCochran]

How long is the length of a Cataplectic Episode vs. a small 10 minute seizure?
Thanks!
Beauty

[greatbig47]

How long is the length of a Cataplectic Episode vs. a small 10 minute seizure?
Thanks!
Beauty

Hi BC!

A cataplectic attack can last anywhere from a couple seconds to minutes. The longest one I've ever had was about 3 minutes, but that was a rarety.

The terminology can be a little confusing with cataplexy; "attack" or "episode" or "siezure" ? To my knowledge, no one has ever solidified this.
These are the definitions in the dictionary...

ep·i·sode
–noun
1. an incident in the course of a series of events, in a person's life or experience, etc.
2. an incident, scene, etc., within a narrative, usually fully developed and either integrated within the main story or digressing from it.
3. one of a number of loosely connected, but usually thematically related, scenes or stories constituting a literary work.

sei·zure
–noun
1. the act or an instance of seizing.
2. the state of being seized.
3. a taking possession of an item, property, or person legally or by force.
4. a sudden attack, as of epilepsy or some other disease.

at·tack
–noun
1. Pathology. seizure by disease or illness: an attack of indigestion.
2. the beginning or initiating of any action; onset.
3. an aggressive move in a performance or contest.

I've heard all 3 used professionally. I tend to use the term siezure, just because the definition seems more appropriate to me.

When you ask "vs. a 10 minute siezure", that would depend on if it was an epileptic siezure, or another kind.

[BeautyCochran]

A friend of mine has ME-CFS also, and she started out with it with seizures (that was over 18 years ago) and then later in life she developed cataplexy also. I asked her "what is cataplexy? She said "seizures"? So are you also saying that there is not that much difference btw. the two?
Love and Huggles--Beauty :?:

[greatbig47]

I'm saying there could be huge differences. Cataplexy (call it a siezure, attack or episode) is 99.99% of the time a symptom of narcolepsy. Some experts even debate that it isn't cataplexy unless it's with narcolepsy. I think that's a big debate at the moment.

So if your friend truly has cataplexy, she's most likely got narcolepsy. For her sake, she really should see a sleep specialist and get it figured out. A really great sleep doctor can tell her if it is truly cataplexy or not. For the sake of her medication and treatment, it's important.

Sounds like either way she would benefit from knowing what is going on. Having a concerned friend like you to help is one of the best blessings!

heheh...love and huggles :oops: garsh