Got Any Sleeping Tips??

Does anyone with IPF have any sleeping tips.

I used to sleep upstairs at night but the stairs have become unmanageable.

During the day I often slip out to the car - put on the air conditioning and with my portable oxygen machine grab 40 winks (30mins)

At night - I sleep upright on the sofa with a hugging back support. I wake every hour with a breathless panic and can’t get back to the land of nod for another hour or so.

Have you any tips? Does Melatonin work. I don’t want to take drugs or sedatives - but I would love just a few hours sleep in succession.

I'm ever so tired during the day - I just don't function. I've even taken the answer phone off my mobile so I don't have to call anyone back. Not enough energy to talk to people.

THANK UUU x

[Hidden]

Have you tried just a relaxation therapy maybe some music through head phones. It may may not send you to sleep but give you the time to recharge a little bit . Or slow breathing technique generally helps me of to sleep I hope you find a solution sleep deprivation is never nice xxx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Angie

[N123 in reply to Hidden]

I have been using an mindfulness app called Headspace, they have some techniques on sleeping. I think that there is a free trial available, it just needs to be downloaded from what ever App Store you have on your phone.

Hope it helps x

[Hidden in reply to N123]

Great - I'll check it out thanks

[knitter]

One meditation technique I read about was to breathe in gently for the count of four and then out gently for the count of six. Trouble is I have difficulty breathing in for four.....either try two and out for three or count a bit faster....then repeat.

I often wake up in a panic and try a bit of pursed lip breathing but I don't know how effective that is when using oxygen.

I have some old audio tapes....or I listen to you tube sounds of the sea or relaxation videos. And free Magic Puzzles for distraction from panic.

Best wishes.

[Hidden]

Thanks Knitter - I'll give a go. Cheers

[Hidden]

sedatives such as sleepers are out as they interfere with the breathing yet I have used herbal myself such as Valerian, please note see your doctor first there is so many drugs coming on the market these days, I myself have been prescribed a short term drug such as zolpidem this knocks you out the first part of the night which means I stir at about 3-4 am have a hot milky drink from the vacuum jug I take to bed with me. Sleep depravation is a serious thing do see your doctor first.

Ant

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ant. I've heard of Zolpidem but you're right - I should speak to my doctor first. Cheers

[skischool]

Nigel.Have you considered that it might be that sleeping on the sofa is the actual problem,the only reason i ask is that i slept on a sofa downstairs whilst looking after my dear wife and never had a decent nights sleep.Would you be able to manage a stair lift and some alterations to your normal bed to make you more comfortable and put you in a more natural environment for sleeping.This is obviously dependant on other factors such as space for said stair lift,cost etc etc.good luck i hope you find a solution......................skis

[N123 in reply to skischool]

Would it be worth getting assessed by the social services, specifically a occupational therapist. They could see if you qualify for a stair lift or any other arrangement. You might have to be persisten with this, it would be worth it for a good nights sleep.

[Hidden]

Gooooood Point Ski - We do have a spare downstairs room and we're looking into getting a sofa bed. You've made me think the bed could be the best option. Thanks

[judg69]

Nigel, I strongly suggest you get a good recliner. Sleep with your legs raised up and your upper body at a slight recline. Relax, read the paper, watch TV, surf the internet,and before long you will drift off. I have not slept upstairs in over 5 years and I have not slept in a prone position on a bed or sofa in over 5 years. Much easier for me to breathe when my upper body is in an erect or semi erect posture. Absolutely no comparison! All the Best and Kind Regards, judg69

[Hidden in reply to judg69]

Thanks for that Judg - I was looking in to getting a recliner. I think it could be the best route. Cheers

[knitter in reply to Hidden]

That's a good idea of judg, I remember Jennifer and Velvet liked their recliners too, for a daytime nap.

I tried sleeping on a sofa bed in our dining room at one time, and the sofa in the living room, but I am ok with the stairs now ( except I have done my back in again being stupid) and stair climbing is hard again.

I hope you have a better night . Take care.

[Hidden in reply to knitter]

Thanks Knitter. A recliner it is then.

[megshafer]

I always have had to do relaxation breathing and light stretching before bed, most of my life. I have also heard 2 hours sleep before midnight is worth many hours after, don't know if it's true, but maybe try. Bed time rituals have helped me, too, like brushing my teeth, etc. I would not taken anything without your doctor's permission. Hope you find something to work well. So, that you may have sweet dreams and a restful, rejuvenating sleep. I am also going to add I could never fall asleep without the white noise of a fan, not blowing on me!!

Meg

[Hidden in reply to megshafer]

Thank UUUU. I had another night of no sleeping - I shall heed your advice Megs

[winfar]

The only thing i can say is to make sure you get a good recliner as there are so many now. .i recently replaced my old favourite and unfortunately the one i have is no where nearly as good so i am thinking about going back to my last model which was an electric lazyboy recliner. it was not a mobility one like this one is but was big with wide arms and practically fully reclining and i am sure otherswill have knowledge of good recliners.

[Hidden]

Thanks for the advice - I'll check it out

[Salmo]

I tried melatonin it a few years back for a different reason (gastric reflux) and found that it had a major effect on my sleep pattern. Won't go into details but I found one tablet completely changed my sleep pattern (12PM - 5AM with multiple awakenings) to one of almost constant sleep (11-8) for at least a month or so. This pattern has largely been maintained though I suspect IPF progression and Pirfenidone are main reasons I sleep so well now.

In my case I understand that the reaction is more typical of how melatonin is supposed to work in people with a disturbed circadian cycle and it probably will have little effect in most people. Certainly, my sister in law sleeps even worse than me and she tried it for a few weeks but it had no effect on her so it's clearly not a miracle cure but might be worth trying for a day or so. Check with your GP first in case it interacts with any drugs you are taking or if there is a any risk that changing your sleep pattern may affect your night time O2 levels. I'd also say that the sensation with melatonin was pretty unpleasant - just before going to sleep I remember feeling a horrible sense of extreme tiredness and still felt groggy in the morning.

[Lin76]

Hi Nigel,melatonin does help,so does sunshine during day. You don't have to stay in it long,20 minutes preferably in am. It also helps boost your vit d levels. Let it hit your head. The sunshine that is. Take care Nigel and Mrs.

[Lin76]

Oh yeah Nigel,turn tv off and any electronics like computer or even phone off way before bed. I got to practice this one myself. My family is in Florida. They bracing for the largest hurricane to hit in 100 years. Ya think between the great north American eclipse and 2 hurricanes hitting U.S.A. maybe God trying to tell us something? I do. praying alot,adding you in there too Nigel,my buddy across the ocean

[Hidden in reply to Lin76]

Thanks Lin God Bless your family. My thought are with them - And thanks for advice toooooooooo