Sleeping with Prednisone | Arthritis Information

I wake up at 3am it seems about every morning. I lay there and count sheep. Think about a lovely garden, pretend I'm listening to the ocean on a vacation, etc etc. But no sleep.
About this time I have had about 5 hours sleep. Does anyone have any suggestions for sleeping without medication? I dont drink caffeine before going to sleep . Only have 1 cup in the morning.
BarbORGASMS......sorry but it does work!

Maybe some chamomile tea? Personally, I take Benadryl when I am wired but that is additional medication that you don't want.

Thinkthinn,I'm a night owl anyway,I don't go to bed till at least 3 am then takes about an hour to fall asleep,I heard that enbrel (thats what I'm on to ) has something to do with it but I don't know for sure like I said I'm a night owl by trade,I have made a cd of songs I like to listen to and when I go to bed I put my headphones on and listen to them and before I get to the second sond I'm out,thats what I do

I seem to have the opposite problem - I've been struggling to sleep for the past few months because the shoulder pain makes it impossible to feel comfortable - I'd toss and turn all night. I've been taking more Pred this week (30mg) and have slept like a baby: 11-12 hours a night! Warm baths or showers, gentle music, herbal teas and reading are all things that are supposed to help you sleep, but also don't go to bed until you feel you can sleep - hard I know, because most often you need to but just can't

Hope you get a good night soon

I am now taking 15 mg in th morning. Before I was taking 10mg morning and 10mg afternoon. But this switch didnt help. I'll have to tell my hubby no afternoon sex. Must be at night.
Really I think during the week I am going to have to try to stay up longer as much as I hate to do this. I have Valerian root but I'm afraid to take it. Since Ive been on these meds I'm afraid to take anything I'm not sure of.

I dont nap during the day and I'm very active. Not much sitting around. Im always working on one project or another.
Hi Barb, I've been on 20 mg. of pred for 8 weeks now. I was taking 10mg twice a day, but never getting more than 2 hours of sleep that way. I now take all 20mg. in the morning and I had to give in to taking Lunesta at night. Some nights even that does not work. I will be very glad to get off the pred, I have not had much success with it ( although most people do) and I've gained 15 pounds since starting. Good luck in finding what works for you, I wish you the best, Rain Rain, It sounds like we are destined to be night owls till we get off this stuff. I hope it is soon for us both.
The best to you Rain.

Hi Barb,

I also wake up at about 3 AM. I take 2 extra strength Tylenols when I go to bed and then another 2 at 3AM. I also take a hot bath right before I go to bed to relax all my muscles. Of course I avoid any caffiene after about lunch and I take only 1 mg of prednisone at dinner. The rest I take in the morning.I guess most of us have sleep problems due to pain. I used to sleep with a comfort me pillow which evenly distributes my weight. Now I've discovered an egg crate pad that goes over the matress and under my top sheet. I've slept better since using it. Also, one of those memory foam neck pillows helps. Good luck and sweet dreams.

[QUOTE=emmasa01] ORGASMS......sorry but it does work![/QUOTE]
Dosent work for me, although it makes me fall asleep right away. But I get up at 3AM. Well we tried anyway. Thanks for the fun suggestion.

I am on High blood pressure meds also and I dont think i'm suppose to take tylenol.
I am going to call the pharmacist to find out. I will try anything.
Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have trouble sleeping on even 5mg taken in the am. But I don't really get tired when I'm on it..

I find benedryal helps me sleep 25mgs is enough.

I swear by Trazadone. I've been taking it for about 12 years because I had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I didn't have RA then either, only the last 2 years. It gets me to sleep quickly and no hangover in the morning. Started out with 50 mg at night, but have since progressed to 150 mg and have been on that forever. I'd be lost without. I had to go off it for 3 weeks because of taking another med and didn't sleep hardly at all night. Ask you dr. about it. Hope this helps

Susan

OK, I tried the benedryl last night and it worked. I talked to the pharmacist and he said it wasnt addictive and it would be fine with all the meds I am taking. I could take 50mg or 25mg whatever worked. I took 50 mg as I was in need of sleep and didnt want to take chances of waking up. It worked great and tonight i'm gonna try 25mg and I think that will do OK.
I hope this helps anyone who is looking for some sleep. And nothing seems to work.

Barb

Gee what is sleep?...I'm not on prednisone now but always had trouble sleeping when i was on it. I'm lucky to get 4 hours sleep out of the 24 hour day. Will be discussing this with my docs when I see them...and I mean all of them. But up till now I have gone back and forth with sleeping somewhat normally but usually not sleeping well at all. Good luck I know it isn't fun or good for your health.

ginger