Hello,
I have not posted in a long time and had to re-register!
After onset of RA in July 2002, was finally stabalized in Dec 2004.... was able to stop Prednisone, stop Bextra, cut back to 7.5 mg Methotrexate, and continue 400 mg Plaquenil. When condition started, doctor prescribed 50 mg Trazodone + 2 Benedryl @ night for sleep. When I cut back on meds after Dec 2004, I cut down to 25 mg Trazodone + cut back on Benedryl slowly until able to stop. Sleep was fine until Feb 2006... I have been struggling the last 3 months... and am not sure why.
Rheumy said I could try another sleep medication (Rozerem) ... said other patients are doing well with it.
Since I have been able to cut back on meds and my RA continues to be controlled, I have been reluctant to start another medication... I have a friend who has gotten into a new 'muli-level' program that has a sleep product called Sleepees [brochure says all-natural herbal sleep aid that delivers non habit-forming, completely restorative sleep... a proprietary blend of rare botanicals, herbs and nutrients : JuJube Date; Siberian Ginseng; Schisandra; Hops; Reishi Mushroom; Red Sage; Helicidum; Mother-oof-Pearl] ... she gave me a few samples & I slept 9-10 hours the first few nights (I was a bit sleep deprived @ this point). She then gave me a bottle to try & I have been using that for the last month... as the month went on, some nights were not as consistent as other. I ran out 2 nights ago and have tried another product I bought called Tranquilnite [Valerian; Hops; Lavender; Passion Flower; Chamomile; Peppermint; Ginger] ... I am able to go to sleep, but wake up early [2-4 AM] and cannot go back to sleep. I am pretty tired today and struggling.
December 2004, I started eating organic and am wanting to make informed choices that minimize any risk to my liver, kidneys etc.
Do any of you know of anything I could try other than trying a new prescription medication? Someone was telling me about 'tryptophan' (not sure if I spelled that correctly!).... an amino acid... anyone have experience with that?
I am a female in late 50's ... have not had any hormonal probs that I am aware of (no depression probs)... and sleep has been fine until just this past Feb.
Since then, I have tried some of what I have mentioned + have tried going back to 50 mg of Trazodone + Benedryl and my sleep has just not been consistent.
It is tough to function without sleep ... SURE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP!
Thanks so much,
SS
Triptophan is the stuff in turkey and milk that makes you sleepy. That is why everyone gets so lazy after Thanksgiving dinner. Anyways, have you tried things like exercise in the AM and only yoga or stretching at bed time, no TV in the bedroom, no caffine, daily journaling, etc? There are sleep clinics that help people with sleep disorders without drugs. Or you could just start eating a turkey dinner everynight...