Both narcolepsy and fibromyalgia affect sleep at night and cause wakefulness during the day. Although the reason is unknown, people with narcolepsy are more likely to get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
Narcolepsy is a neurological condition that affects roughly 126,000 people in the United States. It affects your body’s sleeping and waking cycles, leading to fragmented sleep at night and excessive sleepiness during the day.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain throughout the body. The effects of fibromyalgia can lead to fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Experts estimate that
It’s possible to have both narcolepsy and fibromyalgia at the same time. In fact, fibromyalgia is one of the most common conditions associated with narcolepsy.
This article explores the relationship between narcolepsy and fibromyalgia. It also reviews the symptoms of both conditions and how doctors might treat them.
You can have narcolepsy and fibromyalgia at the same time. When health conditions coexist with each other, it’s called comorbidity.
Fibromyalgia is actually a common comorbidity in people with narcolepsy. In fact, a 2017 survey study found that 7.4% of people with narcolepsy reporting a comorbidity said they’d had a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
A more recent 2024 study supports this observation. In this study, the researchers used electronic health records and artificial intelligence (AI) to determine common comorbidities with narcolepsy.
After analyzing the data, the researchers found that, compared with people who didn’t have narcolepsy, those with narcolepsy were almost two times more likely to have fibromyalgia.
Although people with narcolepsy may be more likely to get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, narcolepsy isn’t currently listed as a risk factor for fibromyalgia. More research is needed to understand how these two conditions may be connected.
The
- being between the ages of 30 and 50 years
- being assigned female at birth
- having a family history of fibromyalgia
- having an existing rheumatic condition, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or osteoarthritis
Fibromyalgia isn’t the only condition that’s often associated with narcolepsy. The 2024 study discussed above also found several other common comorbidities that were significantly linked with narcolepsy. These included:
- other pain-related conditions, like migraine, chronic pain syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome
- sleep disorders, like insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome
- mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety
- irritable bowel syndrome
- asthma
- cervical spondylosis
- fainting (syncope)
- underactive thyroid
A 2022 review article also notes that, in addition to sleep disorders and mental health conditions, people who have narcolepsy type 1 may also be more likely to have cardiovascular and metabolic conditions like:
- obesity
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- high lipid levels (hyperlipidemia)
What sleep disorders are associated with fibromyalgia?
Sleep problems are highly prevalent in people with fibromyalgia. For example, one 2020 study of 326 people living with fibromyalgia found that 92.9% of them had a sleep disorder.
Chronic pain can be highly disruptive to sleep. A 2023 review article notes that prior research has linked chronic pain to sleep disorders like insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Fibromyalgia is no different. Various studies have found that insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea are all prevalent in people with fibromyalgia.
The table below compares and contrasts the common symptoms of narcolepsy and fibromyalgia. As you can see, there’s some overlap regarding how both conditions affect sleep.
| Narcolepsy | Fibromyalgia | |
| Excessive daytime sleepiness | X | X |
| Sleep attacks | X | |
| Sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy) | X (narcolepsy type 1) | |
| Difficulty sleeping at night | X | X |
| Sleep paralysis | X | |
| Hallucinations | X | |
| Chronic, widespread pain | X | |
| Numbness and tingling sensations | X | |
| Difficulty with thinking, concentration, and memory (brain fog) | X | |
| Sensitivity to lights, smells, noise, or temperature | X | |
| Headache | X | |
| Digestive issues, like bloating, abdominal pain, or constipation | X |
What triggers narcolepsy?
The exact causes of narcolepsy aren’t well understood. Some experts believe that an autoimmune reaction triggered by genetics and environmental factors leads to narcolepsy.
The mechanism behind narcolepsy involves the chemical orexin, also called hypocretin, which is important for wakefulness and controlling the REM phase of the sleep cycle.
People with narcolepsy type 1 (with cataplexy) have low levels of orexin. Meanwhile, those with narcolepsy type 2 (without cataplexy) have normal levels of orexin. This suggests that type 2 is a
A combination of different treatments can help treat narcolepsy and fibromyalgia. Options may include:
- medications, such as:
- stimulants, antidepressants, and sodium oxybate to address excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in narcolepsy
- antidepressants, seizure medications, and potentially pain medications to reduce pain in fibromyalgia
- maintenance of a regular sleep schedule and good sleep hygiene
- talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy
- physical exercise
People with fibromyalgia may find that certain complementary and alternative therapies also help manage their symptoms. These may include:
Narcolepsy and fibromyalgia are two conditions that can have a significant impact on sleep and energy. Both cause disrupted sleep at night, leading to excessive daytime sleepiness that impairs daily activities.
You can have narcolepsy and fibromyalgia at the same time. In fact, fibromyalgia is a common comorbidity in people with narcolepsy. The exact reason for this is currently unknown.
You can manage both narcolepsy and fibromyalgia with a combination of different treatments. Options can include medications, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes.