I really need help with this very badly..... I have never been able to achieve a consistant sleep schedule and keep it. I have always been able to cope with it somehow, until RA.
I am sorry this is so long. I really need help with this very badly, and I am open to any ideas any of you may have. Constructive criticism is entirely welcome. I don't have a clue how to deal with this at all. Please help... And...Thank You for taking the time to read this... Sorry it was so long... I hope you all are well today..
Jen; I've taken something on a regular basis to help me sleep for years now. I use to take tylenol PM almost every night. After many years with this I had to start stronger pain medication to help with a back problem. Those medications make me sleepy; so I usually won't take the tylenol PM while I'm on those medications.
My doctor gave me a prescription for Ambien. I took one last night in fact and slept like a rock! It's difficult for me to get going in the mornings when I take those though; so I only take those when I haven't had a good nights sleep in a few nights.
Most of the prescription sleep aids are now intended for long term use and they claim they aren't addictive. I'm not sure if that's true or not.......but I have a hard time sleeping without some help mainly because I can't get comfortable.....not because I'm addicted.
My doctor encourages me to take something because if I'm rested I manage much better and I've found this to be true also.
There are plenty of OTC sleep aids. Some with pain relievers and some without. Advil which is my OTC drug of choice now has one. I haven't tried it yet......but something like that might be an option for you. I just take one; not the recommended 2 that it suggest. (When I take tylenol PM)
Hope this helps a little. Sweet Dreams!
Thanks Lovie... I'll put that on my list because honestly, I haven't tried Many of the new sleep aids. I haven't wrestled with this problem for a long time. It would definitely be worth a trip to the Doc. to ask.. I know I can't take Ambien, but there are so many new drugs out there.. I haven't been paying attention to what drug classes they fall into. Looks like reasearch time. Thanks... (:O)There are several different ones; and honestly if you have prescription insurance you can just about get them as cheap as you can get OTC ones. There are several designed for long term use so don't be afraid to ask about them.
If we get a good nights rest it makes all the difference in the world the next day. Good Luck.
I'm so sorry Jen. I use Klonopin and cut it in half. Have you tried any natural sleep aids yet? They didn't help me but may help you.Jen have you ever though about having a sleep study done. There may be a physical reason such as apnea that is causing your sleep problemsI would try "herbal" (THC) treatment. Herb (THC) helps me sleep very, very well at night and from studies conducted last year, it was shown cannabinoids help stop the progression of RA. This drug has been tested for thousands and thousands of years with little or no side effects (munchies, fatigue). Im not suggesting you should smoke a joint or anything, just look into it and you may find it could help you.
It works for literally MILLIONS of people every day with even WORSE pains and sleep deprivation. Why can't it work for you?
Rozeram is the newest rx sleep aid and its not supposed to be addictive and you can just take it when you need it. I tried it though and it didn't do anything for me but you might have better luck! I have been taking ambien on and off for almost 3 years, apparently the fda has recently approved it for long term use although I do find I need a higher dose than before but some nights, I don't take it at all. Hi - I was put on a benzodiazepine sleeping pill 6 years ago because I was waking with pain at 3am and not getting back to sleep & consequently ended up exhausted.Benedryl is the active ingredient in most of the over the counter sleep meds. I have used it in allergy season (which is starting right now in AZ). Regular use at bedtime helps with the itchy eyes and stuffy nose in the daytime too. Anti-histimines are not addictive. Some people have to use them all year long.
I didn't realize that about ambien Lorster; thank you. I don't like to take ambien because it makes me sleep like a rick. My husband will tell me the next day that I was snoring like a drunken sailer and I won't remember a thing he was talking about. It also causes me to be very slow to rise too. Often I'll hit the snooze until I don't have a second to spare.....and I HATE to start my morning that way. Kind of simular with tylenol PM too.
If I take my tramodal and muscle relaxers I'm awake right before the alarm goes off and feel rested....not groggy. I hate to get my body too use to them though because when I need them for pain they aren't as helpful as they use to be. I can take them relax and not fall a sleep for a couple hours. So let's say I can take them at 9:00....lay in bed, knit, watch General Hosital at 10:00 and then go to sleep at 11:00. I do appreciate the pain releif during those late evening relaxin hours. NOW if I take an ambien and lay down to watch TV I'll be out in 30 minutes.
I think you kind of have to experiment a little; don't ya? Figure out what you like best. BUt the info you're hearing here about certain ones is really good info.
Hey all!
Wow!!Thanks so much for the answers!
Lovie, you have a good point! Almost more expensive to get OTC's nowadays....Anything actually designed for long term use would be perfect if it indeed worked, That would be excellent. I feel 100% better on a full nights sleep also.
Bonny, No I haven't tried natural sleep aids. I wouldn't know where to start looking. Anything has a chance of working so if anyone knows of a good one? Pipe up! Let me know!
Buckeye, That's where I am headed next if I can't find at least one thing that works. A sleep study was the only thing on my list until I asked here, then saw this. So, I will ask the Doctor next week about it. I am sure I would have to travel to a city to have it done. I don't mind.. I am to that point...
Zeekman, I didn't like it in Highschool, I don't think I would now....Although my doc would love to see munchies happen, Im sure! (grin) Thanks for the suggestion!
micheleb, On the list! Thanks! I will ask the Doc. about it next week.
Cassandra. You got it! Benzodiazapines are "the" huge No No here... I refuse to take any new ones. I still yet fight to get off one of them entirely. It lost all beneficial effects 9 years ago. I wasn't told it was addictive and I was pretty young when I was started on it. (14 yrs. old maybe younger?...) I sure wish doctors would have told me about Benzo's. I would never have started them. The pseudo-withdrawals and side effects of long term use are very horrid, I agree.. And I will repeat your warning. Anyone thinking about one of them as a help? .. please, study them closely first. I wish I had...I Simply wasn't told beforehand. Thanks so much for your strategies! I like those..
lorster you have a point also, Premenopause is a possibility, and might be why I think this is worse now. I too had that surgery, but two years ago. They left the ovaries intact, but I have never depended on those for anything!...
Thank You All So Much!!! I sure appreciate you all helping me put together some possible solutions. This has been quite a trial.(sigh)..Thank You!
More suggestions are welcome...Anyone?
I've found when I take medication has a lot to do with sleeping. If possible I take them early in the day. Good luckI'm not a sleeper so I know how you feel. I've found that going to bed at the same time, no tv and listening to background music...no lyrics to sing to and swallowing a unisom or another OTC sleep aid helps. I try not to take medication all the time. Usually I'll go through a stretch of non sleeping, and start the medication for about 4 or 5 nights in a row gets me into a pattern of better sleep, back off the meds and wait till the next time I'm not sleeping.
Make sense? probably not, lol.....haven't had coffee yet.
Howdy!..I sure appreciate your continued interest and help..This had been really productive. And That so Rocks! (:OD
Marian, Benadryl is the one thing I have used that works on a limited basis. I do use it at times when it will work for me.. Good suggestion.. (:O)
Hurts you are right! However I have meds to take 3 times a day as I have had a previous chronic illness. But you are right, Sleep has everything to do with the med shedule. I hope you are "feelingbetter" soon! (:O) I like reading your updates when you feel better, It cheers me up!
Debrakay, That makes all the sense in the world, actually. Sensory deprivation is probably the perfect thing for me some days when even the most mundane things can be engrossing. I like the fact that your routine isn't too militant, Yet, is structured enough so to maintain a schedule. I am concidering every idea very openly. This is a good idea. Structure has been the key to most of my successes. Uncaffinated responses are welcome always!...lol.
You remember correctly Deanna. (:O) Yes, My Psychologist and I are working very closely together finding solutions to the multitude of issues that have recently arisen due to these new physical challenges. There are alot!
I visit the nurse at the mental health center and keep in close contact should I need extra assistance. I have delegated that responsibility to them temporarily before during crisis moments, and it does work well. I may have to have that help for awhile until I get more stabilized with the new challenges that RA presents. However, This is my last ditch attempt to find an answer to this that I can manage on my own. If I cant do it, I can't. I will be the first to admit when I am unable to do it, and get the necessary assistance. I have been getting my medications consistantly on a "daily" basis, which is good. I don't miss any, but as you know The sleep factor plays a huge role in getting them 'on time'. That has been more chaotic lately. What a balancing act this mess is eh? You have my utmost respect. I can't imagine doing it for two people. Thanks for the reminder, because it easy to forget all the help I actually have if only I would ask for it. The trick is to realize I need it before I get into some difficulty. So I am really glad you brought that up at this time... (:O) Good Timing!
I have worked all of my life to "get" independant, made it there, and am trying to remain that way until it is no longer possible. What a blow RA has been. But I am determined to find a way if I can.I Think it's entirely possible!
Zeekman, I re-read your suggestion and I am going to study up more on (THC) for medical purposes, I have to admit. I don't know a thing about it. if there are actually "medications" out there that have no psychological side effects, I haven't heard about them. I have to be very careful about mixing psychopharmaceuticals with anything. However, I know I might not have read your suggestion as open mindedly as I should.I do apologize for that.
I will ask about it at my MD's office. He would be able to inform me "open mindedly also" about the research, availablilty, legal concerns, health considerations, and so forth. he would be thrilled to see the 16 Lbs I lost in the last two weeks re-appear. So would I. He's a creative Doctor, but he might not have considered it either due to the fact that I imagine he deosn't get asked about them alot by the elderly, who seems to make up the majority of his clientelle...
Thank you all for your brainstorming and good info! Once again, You all have really given me a great list of things to concider and I am now armed with several Ideas on how I can deal with this situation. All of you have had some very valid Ideas which I can incorperate to manage this problem. I always encourage more Ideas...and I thank you for all of your help! I value all of your information. Thanks folks!!! I am always open to suggestions....
I appreciate YOURS! (:O)
Peace, and I hope everyone is having a good day!