Sleep and pain

[Sian10]

Hi everyone it’s 3.20 am and I’m wide awake again didn’t go to sleep till after 11.30 I only seem to get 3 to 4 hours sleep ( not that you can call it sleep as I feel I’ve not slept ) and I’m in pain I take my pain killers before bed but they don’t seem to help get me through the night any suggestions xx

[LoneEra]

You’re not alone. I’ve been awake since 4am. And before that, woke up at 1am. It’s like this every night.

Ask your doctor if there is anything they can prescribe. If you need a short term fix in the meantime, Night Nurse liquid is a godsend. But only use it now and again.

Other things that are supposed to help are melatonin and promethazine (speak with your doctor or a pharmacist). Also, eating 2 kiwis before bed is allegedly meant to assist (not scientific obviously)!

But I’ve never found anything to be very effective for me. I wake up because of the pain. Sometimes I put my TENS on low for an hour and try to get back to sleep. Works occasionally!

Good luck xx

[Sian10 in reply to LoneEra]

Thanks for reply GP not that good to be honest they offered me Gabapentin but I refused it as I have a under active thyroid and do not want to put any more weight on , I was referred in October to rheumatologist and still waiting for an appointment will keep plodding along xx

[LoneEra in reply to Sian10]

My GP is rubbish too. Have a chat with your pharmacist maybe?

I’m on Gabapentin. As a recovered anorexic, I was terrified of putting on weight. But honestly it’s absolutely minimal. Doesn’t help me sleep though 🙂

[kittylove]

That used to be me! Now I take 2 CBD capsules a day and I have reduced my pain by about 75% and sleep the full night through without waking!! My mum used to be the same waking with her arthritis pain and the capsules work for her too. I highly recommend. I get mine from healthspan. Hope that helps. X

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to kittylove]

How many mg of CBD do you take a day?

[flossy76]

Lack of sleep is normal with fibro as it is some part of a neurological disease where you can either be wiped out and sleep a whole day or be awake for days. Ask you Doctor for gabapentin and mst - morphine slow release tablet. Gabapentin is a form of anti depressant but it stops the pain messages going to your brain so your still in pain but you won't know/,feel it so bad and will also help your sleep

[Brook22]

Magnesium helps me and I've read Pistachios contain natural melatonin too so may be worth a try.

[Hidden]

Hi Sian. I've found it helpful to use magnesium oil, a nice self-massage on the painful area before bedtime, relaxing music, there are also amazing resources on NHS websites, the NHS online Lothian Chronic Pain Services is plenty of information, useful links, lots to explore... Relaxation/ visualisation audios as well as exercises... Yoga, stretches, meditation, etc. It's a matter of trial and error, train your mind... learn to breathe, we aren't aware of how important is to breathe properly... Best wishes

[Sian10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the info I will look into it I do have sounds on at night crashing waves ect which helps and I’ve ordered a weighted blanket so hopefully that will help thanks again take care x

[Hidden in reply to Sian10]

Thank you, Every little thing helps, I got recently a memory foam topper for my bed, It's making a difference...Feeling comfortable is so important at bedtime... Relax body and mind... Our bodies are very wise, therefore we better listen to them... Never give up on yourself. All the best.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer]

Let's figure this out together. I would like to get some sleep too lol! Has your weighed blanket helped you any?

[Sian10 in reply to LisaSnow]

Hiya yes I think it has I’ve spoken to Gp about my co codamol as it makes me tired and unable to get going so she has reduced it and I have ibuprofen in morning and lunch and co codamol at early evening and bed time got a spare for night so will see how it goes hope your ok x