Today my GP prescribed amitriptyline as I haven't had a normal sleep for an unacceptable time now ( almost 2/3 months) He is convinced my Fibromyalgia is causing insomnia. I also have RA ( on Baracitinib) and had neck surgery this year ( compression of nerves) also on HRT. Don't know what's what with my body but do know I am exhausted 90% of the time. Sleep is like medicine and I so want it! How can I be so tired yet waken so many times during the night struggling to fall back asleep. It's awful. Not always pain related but that does occur randomly too. Is anyone else suffering this lack of sleep and exhaustion?
Suzie x
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Shalf
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Always tired but the quality of 💤 is terrible. There is little passing traffic to wake me but u am still awake all hours. I dare not mention it to my GP in case he recommends more pills.
Interesting about your neck/nerve problems. I had something similar and the only thing that sorted it was amytriptyline. It was certainly stopping me sleeping through the night and I was constantly tired. It occasionally comes back but a couple of doses gets it back under control.
Hi Suzie, the fatigue and lack of a decent sleep are major problems for me too. I went on a course on fatigue management which was provided by the Occupational Health Department. It was really helpful and gave lots of valuable tips about not doing too much when you are feeling okay, taking rests, pacing yourself, important bedtime routines etc. It's still really hard though when you are in pain and can't do much without being exhausted. Doctor gave me sleeping tablets a few months back but only for a very short term and now says that fatigue and interrupted sleep should improve because they have got my RD under control. Unfortunately, my joints and sleepy head are not aware that they have the RD under control!!!
Hi Mumtoggk, I completely understand where you are coming from. Good for you that you tried the course on fatigue management. I think with these courses- clinics in my case ( pain clinic) , it's almost like you have to benefit from them! You have to win! Well NO! - you don't have to win, achieve or succeed with their courses/clinics. If it doesn't work then there has to be an alternative. I was given a tens machine and so on. It didn't help although I was grateful for them trying to help! I was also given sleeping tablets (zopicline) that got me off to sleep but wasn't long lasting. Still woke before the birds! Sympathise with you.
With you on the above Suzie: it’s almost like you’re at fault for not following all the sleep ‘hygiene’ (stupid moniker that is too) rules: I do, for the record but still wake at 1.00,3.00, 5.00 am regardless, especially and bizarrely if i’ve Been overdoing things and should be knackered? It must be linked to disease in some way as so many of us suffer; let’s hope someone finds out why soon? I do know fatigue was discounted as a symptom a few years back too.Tried zopiclone etc too, don’t want to be taking that every night tho’. 😀x
I've noted the times your awake Kerena and will be in touch! It's a waking nightmare - I know! Yes zopiclone - think I spelt it wrong! My mind has been on the lyrics for AC singing - Only Hooooo x
It's Fibromyalgia had it for ten years now manage about 3/4 hours a night i just go with the flow on a 100mg of amitriptyline a night .the only thing I would say is i have put weight on since taking it
Hi 123098 ( I'll never remember that again! 😀) Sounds like your an expert on Fibromyalgia then! GOOD NEWS FOR ME!! Thats the hours I have been sleeping! It's awful! Wait!! 100mg?? How is that working for you?? I have been given 10mg but allowed to take two tablets. Still waking up! :(. Thank you x
Hi no I am no expert i don't believe any one person is fibro is individual to everyone. As for the amitriptyline well I have in the past tried to cut it down But only managed 75mg before symptoms got worse so they must be doing something you will be ok and manage it the way it's best for you and there are plenty of people on here who can advise you!
Thank you! 10 years is a long time. I had heard very little about Fibromyalgia. Did your doctor give your condition that name? ( Fibromyalgia - 10 yrs ago) x
How rotten for you, Shalf. Sadly, sleep patterns are notoriously easily disrupted, and yours are established in merrily doing their own thing now. The drs. will in time find out if medical factors are involved. In the meantime, it's important that you have a bedtime routine that you can keep up: e.g. Not going to bed too early, but at a reasonable 'adult' time, the same time every night - and getting up; no screens in the bedroom, not even tv; no alcohol; no last-minute supper snacks other than, if you must, a small glass of milk or a small ripe banana; no quantity of fluid 2-4hrs of retiring; no daytime sleep. Grit your teeth & plod on! Good luck honey. You will get there eventually. x
Ah well - I am in my 72nd year, so nice to have a daughter by proxy even fleetingly! x p.s. amitriptyline did nothing for me, Gabapentine instead v helpful. Don't know if that's relevant in your case..? All the best.
Tbh your issues sound exactly like mine. I take melatonin daily and just found out I can’t take it long term. It’s been about a years now and I need to ask for something that I can take long term
Why can't you take it long term darlin? Don't feel pressured to say - we understand. We are here when you feel like expressing. My situation is awful re sleep. I have the bedroom in darkness, no music/TV etc but my body won't settle - I understand x
You'll not thank me for saying this but I can sleep for England at the mo! It is rotten though when you can't sleep, been there but there is hope because I also was prescribed amitriptyline, cervical problems too, & it's helped both the muscular issues & my sleep. You get into a cycle that's hard to break but as long as you time when you take ami you should start having some restful sleep. I started taking it with my other evening meds just before my evening meal at 8pm but I was falling asleep in the recliner so I tried an hour on until I got it right. My morning dose isn't too bad as it's only half dose (25mg, I take 50mg at night), that is once I got used to not doing too much before 11am!
I just hope you find ami helps you too Suzie, there are quite a few of us here taking it. Your GP probably told you but your dose can be amended if it's too high or too low. I had monthly reviews with my GP until we found the most effective dose, it took around 6 months but I found it helped starting on a low dose & increasing it in stages.
Hoping you'll soon find it helps & you're in the land of nod again soon. x
Today, I received a letter inviting me to participate in a Research Study Seeking to Reduce the Impact of Fatigue in Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases. The University of Aberdeen is the sponsor. An invite via my GP and Rheumatologist.
They are going to call me for further details. Uplifting letter!
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It's a waking nightmare - I know! Yes zopiclone - think I spelt it wrong! My mind has been on the lyrics for AC singing - Only Hooooo 
x
tired, exhausted.........
Tired again
So Tired
Bad tempered and very tired.
soooooo tired
