If your osteoarthritis (OA) keeps you up at night, you’re not alone. About 70% of people with OA have some kind of sleep disturbance. Troubles range from having problems falling or staying asleep to waking up earlier than desired.
Why OA keeps you lying awake may seem obvious — your pain prevents you from getting comfortable or it wakes you up in the night. Pain is an important part of the equation, but researchers....
Gosh, I can't remember the last time I had a good night's rest. After my nightly cramping episodes, I am able to fall asleep very well. OA isn't bothering me then. It's not until around 4 am that I'm woken by pain in my left knee. I turn over and lie on my back and it goes away immediately. Turn back on my side and it's only a matter of time before it starts again. Not sure if it is OA related or not. I read an article one time which stated one of the reason people are awaken with pain is that when your body is at rest, the pain is caused by compression of a nerve and is not really stemming from the area in question. In my case, my left knee.
Good morning, I am sorry you have been having episodes of cramping early in the morning. I do know about the pain in the knees waking me up. Have you tried placing a pillow between your legs? I tend to have pain in my left leg mostly at night. The Orthopedist recommended placing a pillow or a wedge between my legs to help alleviate the pain. It does seem to make things a little better for me.
Any other suggestions on how to alleviate the pain when at rest?
Yes, I've been using the pillow. It doesn't seem to stop it from happening in the early morning hours. The only thing that works is to roll over on my back for a few minutes which is why I think it stemming from the sciatic nerve or some other nerve.
You are probably correct. I have heard from many of my patients in the past say sciatic nerve pain can be very excruciating at times. If it is the sciatic nerve, it is best you find out where the pain is stemming from. Most of the time it is coming from some sort of a disk problem, in the back. Have you tried incorporating some kind of stretching technique in your daily ritual? I have had some people say Yoga also helped them. Good luck and keep us posted.
Some good advice there. I've struggled with getting to sleep for ages (pre OA). I found melatonin to be useful for helping to feel calmer - a natural supplement. It may be psychological but who cares it it helps! 
You could try Circadin ( Prescription ). Failing that you could try 5HTP the Melatonin precursor. May help.
Hi, I have RA and Osteoarthritis In back , knees and hips. I also have Fibromyalgia which flares up and falling asleep is terrible. Unfortunately I also have heart disease and Afib so it’s really hard for me to know which is keeping me from not going right to sleep or waking up 3-4 times a night. I take 8 methotrexate tablets once a week and it takes me 2-3 days to feel good after taking them. Any recommendations
Have you tried sleeping pills in conjunction with your other meds? I take Trazodone which is a combination sleeping and antidepressant as well as an antianxiety pill (xanax) and that helps some (yes I know that's a lot of meds) along with my pain meds. I know that everyone is different and some people don't want to take all of this medication but I can only go without sleep for so long. Eventually, I'm pretty much will to do anything to get more than 3hrs of sleep at a time. Just a suggestion...
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