Can't sleep

[sylviaweller_79]

Is anyone else so tired you could throw up but can't sleep? For weeks I sleep maybe 2/3 hours every few nights and I am so tired. When I go to bed I'm exhausted and feel sleepy but as soon as I lay down I'm wide awake again. I lay for hours hoping to just fall asleep but it doesn't happen. Any advice anyone please??

[Atibrat Moderator LUPUS SUPPORT]

Have you talked to your doctor? This is one thing I can not say I have a problem with. In fact my first symptom of this disease was being tired even after 8 to 10 hours of sleep. I had a sleep study and passed with flying colors. No sleep apnea and lots of REM sleep. My problem is trying to stay awake. I sleep 8 to ten hours and usually take 1 to 2 naps during the day.

Are you taking steroids? I do sleep less when on a higher dose but then I usually am not as tired.

Do your feel anxious or have anxiety?

I will watch the replies you get but curious to what your doctor says.

[sylviaweller_79 in reply to Atibrat]

Thank you I will make an appointment with my doctor. I used to sleep for about 12 but now just getting any sleep is good! I will keep you updated

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Fatigue is one of the central symptoms which affects people with lupus, as well as other autoimmune diseases.

What you are describing, however, might need further investigation in order to find the cause of why you are finding it difficult to fall asleep. Are you having thoughts which keep you from falling asleep? Are you worried or anxious?

If this is going on, may I suggest you go to your GP and talk about this as s/he might have help for you.

With good wishes,

Ros

[sylviaweller_79]

I have an appointment on 31st I'm not worried about anything but I have been getting heart burn a lot.

[sylviaweller_79]

Hi guys, my gp says my sleeplessness is a prednisolone symptom, so the amount has been reduced. It's now 1 mg a day. Sounds such a small amount but as I've been taking them for 18 years I suppose it makes sense. I got a little more sleep last night which is good but I'm still tired. Fingers crossed the reduction doesn't cause a flare

Thanks for being here guys x

[Atibrat Moderator LUPUS SUPPORT]

Sylvia how are things going? I am not sure what dose of prednisone you were on but as you see in my original post the only time I am not sleepy is when I am on a higher dose of prednisone. I am now at 2 mg a day and doing fairly well. If I get bronchitis/asthma I sometimes get put as high as 60 for days then 40 and 20.... I do not sleep much during that time and usually get so much done. I usually have to deal with a bad headache during the first few days of the increase but after that I am full of energy and my house gets clean. Every once in a while I will bump up my dose to 10 if I have something special planned and do it for a day or so. Like company from out of town, I would ask my doctor to bump it up to go on vacation only so I would not be too tired to do anything. So the higher dose of prednisone makes complete sense to me. We always want to stay at the lowest possible effective dose but there are times in my life I wamt to feel more like a normal person for a special occassion and will ask to do a couple day bump to enjoy my life.

[marie4074]

I must be something else! Lol. I am extremely fatigued. I teach school and have for 18 years. I went to the dermatologist for a rash that has been on my face forever (I had been to another dr and was treated with 4 creams-none working). I went for a second opinion. She asked me several questions, I answered yes to all of them. My feet are purple and extremely swollen. She immediately sent me for blood work. I am waiting on results, but I have a strong feeling that I have found my answer for so many of my unbelievable problems.

Even though, I am soooo tired, I do the exact same as you. I have extreme anxiety and already take meds for it.

I'm worried about my job. Will I be able to continue to teach? I'm 40 and have a 10 year old. It makes me feel bad that I feel tired all the time, that I want to clean my house from top to bottom, but I'm soooo tired! I saw tips for getting extra rest, extra breaks at work. That's not going to happen. I'm in my 18th year. I'm really stressed about this, obviously I needed to get it out. I'm ready for the results. I can't stand waiting for stuff like that. I become very anxious. Any ideas on how to pep up my step. I teach reading 5 periods a day. These last 2 weeks have really taken a toll on me, and I don't know that my husband really gets it. Ok. I have got to stop lol. Thanks for "listening"!