Prednisone and sleep

[RheaV]

I've just been diagnosed with PMR, and I find I'm somewhat overwhelmed with all the info here! I don't like the idea of prednisone, but it sure worked like magic the first time I took it--all pain gone in just a few hours! But--at the best of times I have trouble sleeping, and one of the side effects of Pred is insomnia. Does anyone else have this problem? How do you deal with it? Thank you!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi RheaV,

Many do have problems with sleeping early days, but not everybody has the problem. Plus very often I depends on the starting dose, and how quickly your body acclimatises.,

As you've got PMR then I guess you started around 15mg. I started on 80mg and didn't sleep well for the first few months, but after that no problem. Even early day I went to sleep okay, but then woke anywhen between 2am - 5am wide awake and bushy tailed raring to go.

What I did was take a Nytol tablet every 4th or 5th night so I at least got one good night.

If you already suffer with insomnia then I guess you've tried most things, but I'm sure others will be alone shortly with their views.

If you don't work then it's not such a problem- you just catch an hour or two during the day, but if you do work then I know it's not that easy.

But there's no point worrying about it, that just makes it worse.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Your body will get used to the pred in time and it will also improve as the dose falls. In the meantime learn to rest when you can - and don't resist the feeling you could sleep. Take the opportunity when it arises. And resting is (almost) as good as sleeping.

[jinasc]

Click on this link and read all you can and on the home page you will find a map, click on it and see if their is a support group near you.

pmr-gca-northeast.org.uk

There is also a DVD and Booklet available, both by patients and medics and in plain language.

[SheffieldJane]

Hi RheaV and welcome to the forum. In time you will find it helpful I am sure. No wonder you are feeling overwhelmed. There is a lot to take in. It is important to know that this set of symptoms could have heralded something with a worse outlook. At least we know that PMR gets better eventually. It is a big signal, I think, that we have been doing too much, or the stress has been relentless. Whatever it is the body has decided to call a halt. Resting and pacing activities is a big part of managing life with PMR. We all worry about taking wonderful, terrible Prednisalone. Currently it is all we have and without it we would be pretty disabled with pain and stiffness. Not everyone experiences side effects and I think you'll find that there are various remedies for them. There is a lot of discussion about this on here. As soon as your condition stabilises ( about a month) you will start to reduce your dose. The received wisdom on here is that the dead slow nearly stop method gets the best results. That is reducing in tiny stages, never more than 10% of the whole dose. You will learn about that when the time comes. In the meantime this is a good place to bring your questions and worries. There is always someone with useful advice or shared experience.

The insomnia passes, I found 10 mgs of Amitriptylin one hour before bedtime helped. You can feel pretty wired in the early days of Prednisalone treatment. I felt amazing for a little while!

For you it's a bit like coming in during a random episode of a soap opera , joining this forum, but you'll soon catch up and get to know who is who. There are a number of people with real expertise and wisdom to help you, you'll see. Best wishes Jane

[Amber1414]

I have always had a problem with sleeping anyway but definitely believe the Prednisone makes my insomnia worse. I make sure to always take it first thing in the morning. I do have to say that whether I was taking 20 mg or 3 mg my sleep loss was the same.

[Sandy1947]

I understand your sleep issues. I have always been a bad sleeper. My journey is about 8 weeks. At first, I got up around 3:00 am for the day anticipating my 5:00 am dose of Pred. This did get better. Now I'm up at 4:30 for the day. My Dr. said I could take 1 Advil PM for sleep. I eat a hearty bowl of oatmeal with walnuts, berries and hemp seeds before bed. This helps me sleep. Give it a try and let me know what happens. Resting during the day in my bed and pj's helps. I even fell asleep twice for a few minutes ,

Good luck and let us know about your improvement!

[Steve2002]

I found that the side effects, like insomnia, were pretty much gone when I got down to about 7 mgs. a day.