another sleepless & painful night 🌙

I usually don't let Fibromyalgia bring me down, usually I'm quite happy to carry on with my day and just deal with it. But today is a different story.

It's 3am and I'm crying my eyes out... bad rib pain, my knees are so painful and throbbing/burning sensation, horrid shooting pains in legs, pins and needles in legs,hip&back pain is getting unbearable,ankle hurts badly.

I haven't been to sleep yet...in and out because of the pain. Tramadol isn't working and I've taken 2! 😕

I should be up at 6.30am!! 😭😭

I'm just upset and over tired, I have to swap my shift again and this is a weekly occurrence (i can swap my day off and work day according to my pains as needed...work was expecting this to be every so often), i have so much I need to do tomorrow but I know I won't be able to reach my full potential tomorrow...

How do you guys cope when you can't sleep? Anything you do?

How do you feel better?

[Bewitch]

Hi there. I am so sorry you have had such a poor night. Added to that is the stress of worrying about work which is likely to exacerbate your pain. I totally understand - I often can’t sleep which is very frustrating and I find makes me feel nauseous all the next day from fatigue. I am afraid I don’t have the answer. Sometimes simple paracetomol helps, and lying on my back with a pillow under my knees eases back pain. Actually getting up and moving around can help, watching TV with a hot drink for a while is sonething else I do. Maybe a nice warm bath (even in tbe early hours - why not??). I really hope that it helps to know that I (as I am sure many of us) understand your desparate situation. X

[uggycat]

Hi charley really wish I had an answere, sometimes I get up and eat some turkey which I keep in fridge, it is supposed to help you sleep. And then a drink of water which I hate, then go back to bed and try to breath deeply.

[Midori in reply to uggycat]

Also, Bananas, Lettuce and milk are soporifics , and might help.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi Charley, I can totally understand - struggled through work today after not sleeping, and brain being absolutely mush.

Luckily I am still working from home - so only had to get as far as downstairs to the laptop ... I was able to adjust my workload so I didn't have anything to brain-taxing to do - then went back to bed for a bit as soon as I finished (think I was lucky to get an hour dozing)

Wish I had some answers to the sleepless nights. I try to have a regular nighttime routine to help get to sleep, but doesn't always help. I use meditation when I can't sleep, and also do a reiki self treatment to try and relax enough to fall asleep. I also have aromatherapy roll on with a calming/sleep blend that I rub on my temples/wrists.

Some people find the sleep sprays with lavender etc help, I can't say personally because hubby hates lavender so I can't use any of them lol.

[Julesubu]

I haven't slept well in 4 years now since starting perimenopause. I get exhausted and like you can swap my work hours around if required. I get migraines if over tired so nights when never get to sleep are not good. Usually just have to fir in hour power nap in day as staying awake all day doesn't guarantee will sleep that night. I have been on lots of different pills but do not work for long.

My main problem is my mind just goes into overdrive at night and with pain as well just can't relax and zone out.

Sometimes music can help or hypnosis recording, Paul Mckenna used to help.

Maybe try a bath before Bed.

Hope it gets better, know how emotionally draining lack of sleep can be.

[Cactus7]

Hi. I found audio books a good distraction and sometimes fall asleep to them but my personal favourite is listening to natural weather sounds. It's been trial and error but I've found 3 snow storm YouTube clips that I can play (they run for hours) which help me to relax and drift off to sleep even when I have pain. Also....psychologically ...once you have something that you associate with sleep it's easier to drop off. Sometimes just the thought of putting my earphones in and switching on the sound of wind whistling around me makes me feel more relaxed. Of course the problem could be becoming reliant on it but personally I'd risk it for sleep and a less fatigued day at work. It might not work but no harm in trying. There are loads of soundscapes that might suit you. Good luck!. C7

[handsy1]

These are called flare ups its when fib is at its most severe its caused by doing to much you cant do what you used to do. you after adjust to what your body allows you to do its about finding a balance that's why people with fib find it hard to work because it can be devastating the next day and can last days so you just never no what you are going to be like from day to day i believe people that work with this have mild symptoms compared to others that server. But people with mild symptoms will find that it will progress in to severe as time goes bye.

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello again, so sorry to read about your sleepless nights, I see some good reply’s of tips people try, your pain sounds horrid did you ask your doctor is there’s nothing else they can try you on? I wondered if you reduced your work hours you could apply for a benefit to top your money up , you sound like you are trying very hard to juggle everything right now but could be the Fibro pain has got worse and your work load is getting too much ,not sleeping is pretty rotten and we feel so rubbish the next day xxxx

[aytias]

So sorry to hear about your sleeping troubles. What has worked for me in the past is to identify the main sources of pain (neck, specific areas of the back) and try to relax those areas. Then most of the pains in ankles, knees, wrists and feet would cool off, at least temporarily. I don't know how much it could apply to you. You could try a tennis ball on your back against a wall to target specific muscles that feel very sore.

[Crossstitch1]

Hi....sorry you're suffering so much...lack of sleep and unrefreshing sleep is dreadful. I've struggled for so many years myself and have now ended up accepting it's my way of life! I find that as someone else has suggested I often get up in the wee small hours and have a warm bath with Epsom salts...have a warm drink ...go back to bed....make my self as comfy as possible and put a familiar movie in dvd.... one that I know the script by heart and doesn't have any murders aliens or car chase can just lull me off...that or the shipping forecast..! The more cranky I get with myself the worse it all seems. As I say...it goes against all the accepted practices but works for me. Hope you get some sleep soon.

[Mollycooper11]

I'm so sorry you are in so much pain. For sleep have you tried Melatonin? It really helped me. If I just cannot sleep I get up, sit outside and have a cold drink and take a sleeping tablet. I know not everyone wants to use them though. Good luck.