1232 Improvement in Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in Two Narcoleptic Patients on Oral Contraceptives

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). We present two patients with narcolepsy with improvement in symptoms with the use of oral contraceptives. Report of Case Patient A is a 15-year-old female with a family history of narcolepsy who presents with excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexic episodes (eye twitching, abnormal sensations of the face, drop attacks). Her pediatric daytime sleepiness scale score (PDSS) was 29. The polysomnography (PSG) did not record sleep disordered breathing. Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) recorded 4 out 4 sleep onset rapid eye movement period (SOREMPS) and mean sleep onset latency (SOL) of 6.2 minutes. She was diagnosed with Narcolepsy Type 1 and started on stimulants as family was not interested in Xyrem. Over two years, her PDSS the doses of the stimulants were increased due to significant daytime sleepiness. Caregiver was not interested in Xyrem. Patient demonstrated increased sleepiness during menstrual cycles. She was treated with OCPs for menorrhagia. Her EDS improved, PDSS decreased from an average of 24.5 to 17.5 and the dose of the stimulants was decreased. Patient B is an 11-year-old female with excessive daytime sleepiness and fragmented sleep with multiple awakenings. She took frequent naps during the day. Her PDSS was 29. The PSG showed mild OSA and the MSLT recorded 3 out of 4 SOREMPS and SOL was less than 1 minute. She was diagnosed with Narcolepsy Type 2. During her treatment course, several medication regimens were trialed but were not effective including stimulants, Modafinil, and Armodafinil. Caregiver was not interested in Xyrem. At the age of 13 years, she started OCPs for dysmenorrhea. Her EDS improved and PDSS decreased from an average of 29 to 16.75. Conclusion We present two patients with narcolepsy who continued to have EDS in spite of treatment with wake promoting agents and daytime naps. Their EDS and PDSS improved after initiating OCP therapy Pubertal changes may have a significant influence on narcolepsy patients. The use of OCPs may be beneficial in conjunction to wake promoting agents.