Sometimes, I wish I was a dog....

[micheleinnaples]

True confessions....I sometimes wish I was a dog. It seems like Chivas, my dog, never has trouble sleeping! These steroids are kicking my booty! Last night I woke up every half hour only to hear my husband and Chivas snoring away! I wanted to scream "It isn't fair" but then reminded myself that it isn't their fault. In my previous life (before GCA), I had sleeping problems. I tried everything and it failed. Is there anything out there that appears to be efficacious and yet is proven safe to take with steroids? I'm desperate! Sincerely, "Sleepless in Naples"

[Insight329]

Dear micheleinnaples aka sleepless in naples,

(Thinking,...thinking...thinking) Nope. I got nothing. I, too, am struggling with sleep. But I did order a weighted blanket (thanks, mamici1, for the suggestion). As I was doing the above thinking it occurred to me that maybe I should try some white noise (?). Did you watch Sex and the City? If so, remember when Carrie was dating that guy that couldn’t sleep without listening to nature sounds/crickets? I’m going to try that tonight. Maybe not crickets but some rain or ocean sounds. I’ll let you know if it helped. In the meantime, get rest and enjoy the snores of that darling dog and hasband.

P.S. i love the title of your post!

[micheleinnaples in reply to Insight329]

You make me laugh! I am thinking about the weighted blanket purchase and by the way, I love to read mamici1’s posts. I actually run an electric fan because of the noise. I’ll keep you posted! Husband and Chivas are still in bed snoring away...LOL!

[SnazzyD]

Oh, yes I remember those nights when my husband inconsiderately ‘slept at me’, yes showing off in deep sleep. Achieving that which I could not within two minutes of his head hitting the pillow. Pred just added to years of being a mum, nurse on nights and dog owner fine tuned to any noise in the night that might indicate trouble. If I’m not half asleep by 11pm I know I’ll be awake until 1am because there seems to be a switch that goes on about then, even before Pred. I usually get through until 6am now but for the 2 in 7 that are dreadful, my secret weapon is my daily afternoon naps. Never thought I’d be going off for a nap at age of 54 while my 81 year old ailing father-in-law is still up and about.

[Hidden]

When I see pictures like cute chivas i do!

I have had insomnia since I worked 10years of shift work in the 70s and 80s. When I was healthy I was ok with an average of 4 hours. But since my body started to fall apart less sleep equals more non pmrpain. I am not good example as I take zopiclone and have done for a while. Amitrypiline helps me find a comfy position to start sleep but I am lucky if I get a night like last night 7hrs 42mins with two trips to the loo. (Fitbit monitors sleep). My body Feels much better on 9hrs. Haha haha.

I suggested someone try the tryptophan method of warm milk and/or banana. High carb but used to help me. Can't have the sugar now. Or if you are near water a nice big bit of Turkey wrapped in lots of lettuce.

[micheleinnaples in reply to Hidden]

I will definitely keep these in mind. Many thanks 🙏!

[Hidden in reply to micheleinnaples]

Lol. Near water was supposed to saw eat meat. 😂😂😂😂😂 autocorrect and no glasses on.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

SAY eat meat. This phone is getting close to being chucked!

[SheffieldJane]

Or a cat, they seem to sleep as and when they wish. As do I some days. Work a bit then promise myself a nice lie down with a book under a cosy blanket and inevitably fall asleep and have amazing dreams. I still sleep at night, courtesy of Amitriptylin 10 mgs one hour before bedtime. This compromise has stopped insomnia from being my top torture.

[micheleinnaples in reply to SheffieldJane]

Yes, of course, a cat! Love them too!

[Pongo13]

I too sleep well with amitriptylin (thanks to this forum), plus lavender on pillow, plus night mask, plus ear plugs, plus moon face.... Lucky the hub loves me....

[micheleinnaples in reply to Pongo13]

😊! Thanks!

[Asbeck]

Just yesterday someone told me that practicing an instrument before bed helps you sleep and helps to heal neurons or something while you are sleeping. This was a hair dresser, mind you! And of course you have to play an instrument to begin with...If you're not a drinker how about 4 or 5 oz. of red wine? Too much and you will not sleep well. I think that red wine helps to dilate the arteries......(So does simply being hydrated.) Some doctors don't want you to drink with Pred. Some are OK with red wine.

[micheleinnaples]

Stopped drinking and in reference to playing an instrument, my husband plays a guitar. Does that count? 😊

[GOOD_GRIEF]

No point lying in bed listening to hubbie and doggie snoring.

Get out of bed. Get yourself a comfortable chair, and nice soft blankie, a good book printed on paper, and a nice hot cup of water.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to GOOD_GRIEF]

Not only no point - it is advised against. If you can't sleep and stay in bed you come to associate bedroom and not sleeping and it reinforces the problem. Same as you shouldn't really work (on the computer for example) in your bedroom - bedrooms are for sleeping...

[Sandy1947]

One Advil PM plus hot cereal works for me. Drs. are OK with this. Love the dog! Listening to my Coton snore at 3:00 a.m.! My problem is going to sleep at 7:30 pm and waking up at 3:00-4:00 since taking Pred at 5:00. Can’t get off this routine since June. Try to stay up later but body rhythm says no.

[Rugger]

Michele,

Kiwi fruit are said to contain seratonin and help with sleep. I take one every night and have noticed a distinct improvement in my sleep pattern. It may be a placebo effect or the stage I'm at with my adrenal glands, or whatever, but I don't mind, as long as I'm not staring at the ceiling half the night and listening to husband snoring - no dog in our house!

Me: PMR 20 months. One flare at 12 months. Now tapering to 6mg, DSNS.