Cant help falling asleep: I have... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Cant help falling asleep

Buzza75 profile image
7 Replies

I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia which has helped explain why I have had years of fatigue, IBS symptoms, anxiety and depression, as well as the generalised pain and headaches. For me, the biggest issue to fatigue and its driving me crackers. I'm just so tired I cannot motivate myself to do anything, and it's getting worse. I have taken loads of time off work, and dont know what I can do to help myself. My husband says I am sleeping too much but I cant help it. If I dont sleep, I get cranky, clumsy, and can't concentrate. My work is really suffering, and I dont know how long I can keep it up for, and I feel under pressure to keep the money coming in. Any suggestions, or words of support would be most appreciated.

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Buzza75 profile image
Buzza75
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7 Replies
LeighBlyth profile image
LeighBlyth

Then sleep! Go to bed early, sleep as long as you can.

How many hours are sleeping for and when?

Is it a good sleep?

How do you feel when you wake?

(There are sleep disorders too....)

Buzza75 profile image
Buzza75 in reply to LeighBlyth

I sleep tons. Usually fall asleep around 10pm once the kids are sorted. I wake up around 3 or 4 times usually. Once to pee, but then I'm sure why otherwise. I still feel shattered in the morning, and it's a struggle to drag myself out of bed. If I do go to work, I usually fall asleep not long after getting home. On days off, or when I've taken sick leave I have slept all day long. I dont think I am getting enough slow wave (deep) sleep but have tried keeping myself awake in the day, tried pink noise, avoiding alcohol and caffeine. All to no avail. X

LeighBlyth profile image
LeighBlyth in reply to Buzza75

Firstly reset your mindset - Sleep is both something you need and something you deserve. Sleeping is good.

I doubt you sleep tons if you have kids - and you don't say what time you wake.

If you have the chance to sleep during the day, then why not take it? Many countries enjoy the siesta schedule.

8.30pm is a good bedtime IMO! Can your husband get the kids to bed sometimes?

Have you had blood tests for anaemia and vitamin deficiencies etc?

Drink plenty of water in the mornings and afternoon but avoid too much in the evenings.

Rosepetal60 profile image
Rosepetal60 in reply to Buzza75

Have you tried taking the high strength Q10 from a Health store from what I remember . Its pricey but worth it. Good chance of keeping you awake in the afternoons. It has worked for me in the past.

johnsmith profile image
johnsmith

Surrender to the fatigue. You have a health disability called IBS. You have to spend mental resources managing that. The brain is using an area that is needed to monitor your condition. This area is doing work so it is building up waste products. Research has determined that the brain only gets rid of waste products when it is asleep. Hence the fatigue the requirement which demands sleep.

This is where it gets interesting, There is the normal sleep which refreshes the standard bits of the brain which is not overworked. Normal sleep will also refresh the brain that is overworked. However, the overworked bit builds up waste products far more quickly and requires catnaps to remove the very fast buildup of waste product. The brain is signalling fatigue to say I must get rid of waste product by sleep.

You can only investigate yourself to determine if this theory has some variability or whether it is totally wrong. I have to manage a health disability and there are days where I spend a lot of the day in bed. In my case I suspect it is the brain saying I have had enough and it demands that I do nothing in order for it to recover from the monitoring load I put on it.

Going for a walk can be helpful in the fatigue department. A light facial massage with your own hand can also be helpful. One can only experiment and see what works for yourself.

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers

Have you had your Thyroid checked?

Yeah if you push through you’ll fail. You have to slowly increase activity and time awake. I have ibs severe now from stress pushing myself it’s worse. So the body says take it slower and nurture self care relaxation fun. Your gut is very important i think fibromyalgia stems from it myself and blocked neurological pathways. Be very mindful of stress and what you’re putting into your body very clean food and little to no sugar not all sugars are the same either. No wheat no dairy except odd bit of yogurt and Swiss cheese and nonpork. You can eat rice and oatmeal but stick with a more gluten free way of eating and take vit K b12 vit d 4000 iu or more and a good probiotic twice a day. Keep stress down as you build up your energy and deal with hormones if you’re getting to that age. I heard celery juice is helpful in the morning I haven’t tried it yet due to the cost craze but it seems to have relevance I’m going to try it next few days for a week.

I have days where I can’t leave the house TIL 3 pm now from pushing through too much and it killed my stomach. It happened to me from multiple ovarian cyst ruptured for years and drugs prescription. Really keep up clean diet try to monitor what your eating I find it shows up right away or next day can last 3-5 days. You may find this yourself. I believe it can be managed if in good place in mind and patience.

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