Guest guest Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Good Morning I am sorry you are having a hard time, I am in my 3rd year of arthritis, pretty much same as you only add in the shoulders, hips and neck! The sleep issue really bothered me, i now take amitryptiline as a muscle relaxant to help me sleep but even over time that wears off, 3 other things i find effective are a) i just got an electric blanket at christmas, i read about it on an RA website where it was described as a great big heat pad! 2) I have had reiki done in the past and the relaxation from this is amazing, also a great sleep, c) at the moment my physiotherapist is doing acupuncture on me once a week, it really eases the pain, gives major relaxation and as before a full interrupted nights sleep! I think even one night good sleep is enough to refresh you and make you ready to face whatever arthritis is ready to throw at you next I hope ive helped and i hope you find your answer Sharon xx ________________________________ From: s_knight2005 <s_knight2005@...> Sent: Thursday, 2 July, 2009 21:08:21 Subject: [ ] How can you sleep? Hi Folks, I am new to the group, have not listed in quite a while, I am only finishing up my first year with this RA, have it in my hands, fingers wrists, elbows and occasionally knees, ankles and God forbid the toes. Along with the pain at night, I can't seem to sleep. I am on Plaquenil (I guess the first step in this roller coaster ride), and I went out and purchased a really good mattress about 6 months ago. I wake up from discomfort/pain about 4-5 times a night, and have a terrible time trying to get to sleep to begin with. Anyone have any advice? I am taking Arthritis strength Acetaminophen every night before bed (650mg)- I am allergic to most other OTC drugs. Hate to complain -- and I agree with another poster who had the line, " I may not look sick.... " I'll have to use that one. Thank God for the Internet, I don't feel so alone... WeaverWoman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Weaver Ask for a stronger pain med. I am with you on the no sleep, I am up every other hour! Kathy Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2009 Report Share Posted July 3, 2009 Hi Weaver Woman: Welcome to our group, and sorry to read you too have R.A. I have had sleep problems off and on. I had the RX for Ambien, and it worked so so. I have not tried anything else. I take so many pills each day, I just hate to add another one. I do take 2 Benedryl's once and awhile, which helps me sleep. I would ask your Dr. to prescribe something for sleep for you to try. I can not function without sleep. I do know what you are going through. I hope you get something for sleep. Take care, and rest when you can. Hugs, Barbara --- In , " s_knight2005 " <s_knight2005@...> wrote: > > Hi Folks, > > I am new to the group, have not listed in quite a while, I am only finishing up my first year with this RA, have it in my hands, fingers wrists, elbows and occasionally knees, ankles and God forbid the toes. > > Along with the pain at night, I can't seem to sleep. I am on Plaquenil (I guess the first step in this roller coaster ride), and I went out and purchased a really good mattress about 6 months ago. I wake up from discomfort/pain about 4-5 times a night, and have a terrible time trying to get to sleep to begin with. > > Anyone have any advice? I am taking Arthritis strength Acetaminophen every night before bed (650mg)- I am allergic to most other OTC drugs. > > Hate to complain -- and I agree with another poster who had the line, " I may not look sick.... " I'll have to use that one. > > Thank God for the Internet, I don't feel so alone... > > WeaverWoman > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2009 Report Share Posted July 5, 2009 Hi WeaverWoman, I let my rheumy know, and she prescribed, " Ambien. " It does help so much. I don't take it all the time, just on the nights, I can't get to sleep. I do understand, its really hard when your in pain. I hope you can get something, and you can get some good sleep, Tawny --- In , " s_knight2005 " <s_knight2005@...> wrote: > > Hi Folks, > > I am new to the group, have not listed in quite a while, I am only finishing up my first year with this RA, have it in my hands, fingers wrists, elbows and occasionally knees, ankles and God forbid the toes. > > Along with the pain at night, I can't seem to sleep. I am on Plaquenil (I guess the first step in this roller coaster ride), and I went out and purchased a really good mattress about 6 months ago. I wake up from discomfort/pain about 4-5 times a night, and have a terrible time trying to get to sleep to begin with. > > Anyone have any advice? I am taking Arthritis strength Acetaminophen every night before bed (650mg)- I am allergic to most other OTC drugs. > > Hate to complain -- and I agree with another poster who had the line, " I may not look sick.... " I'll have to use that one. > > Thank God for the Internet, I don't feel so alone... > > WeaverWoman > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 I take darvocet too. One in the am and one in the pm if needed. Usually if I don't take the darvocet at night, the pain in my shoulder wakes me up. But i do notice that it gives me pep and makes me want to call my daughter to see what's up. LOL But not a high just a mellow happiness. some people have told me that it knocks them out. I've been on for about 15 yrs or more. My ast went up a bit (only 3-4 points) but wondering if it is because of the darvocet. Rain coming to ohio...storms too. and wind. My poor tucker will be scared. velcro dog. Hugs..a ************** A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221823300x1201398714/aol?redir=http://\ www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072 & amp; hmpgID=62 & amp;bcd=JulystepsfooterNO62) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 --- In , " k_stepnitz " <stepnitzcandles@...> Hi Kathy that is my current issue I cannot rest more than an hour without some pain waking me up. It makes me really irritable and exhausted during the day, and I have a 4 month old granddaughter to babysit 3 X a week... WeaverWoman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 Hi Mimi, Yes I am only on Plaquenil at this point, and I must say I am so grateful for this site, I would be so alone otherwise. I don't know if I complain not enough (trying to tough it out) or too much! I did go out and buy a high end mattress to alleviate the point pressure. Took all my $$ but worth it. I could never sleep on a regular mattress at this point. As soon as I can get the funds together I will go see the Rheumy again, I am currently unemployed with no health ins. but getting along. I appreciate all the help I am getting to this question, Thanks to All, WeaverWoman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 Kate, Bless you! I can't even keep my little cat in bed with me anymore! It is not so much insomnia, but the pain at night waking me out of a sound sleep. I will definitely look into the OTC meds you mention, I just am a little worried if they will interfere with the plaquenil I am on. WeaverWoman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2009 Report Share Posted July 11, 2009 Two meds that have helped me sleep are Elavil (amtriptyline) and Flexeril (cyclobenzapr). Since these are generic now they are cheaper than the new meds just coming out. I have taken Elavil (generic amtriptyline) for many years. It is for depression , but helps you sleep. It is also good for pain. I am not sure if drug info will say this but I have read in " Arthrtis Today " mag and it has worked for me. When I was diagnosed with RA (20 yr ago), I was never given any pain med. Different doctors have changed my doseages for various pain. I tried the Flexeril (generic cyclobenzapr), a muscle relaxer years ago and it made me so sleepy I couldn't fucntion the next day. I now wish I had tried lowereing the dose or something. My shoulder was hurting when I saw my Rheumy earlier this year. I ask him about some pain med and he wanted me to try Flexeril again. I did and this time it affected me differently. I wake up and feel more like doing something. I still had been having some nagging pain and stiffness in my hands that was lasting most of the day. I had read one of Doreen's post about a short course of prednisone. I took 5mg prednisone for 5 days and began to feel better. I also started Celebrex again. I have not had any pain this last week. Hope this is helpful and you all get the right combo to become pain free. This is such a large group I can't keep all the names straight. Thanks for sharing your info. > > I take darvocet too. One in the am and one in the pm if needed. Usually > if I don't take the darvocet at night, the pain in my shoulder wakes me up. > But i do notice that it gives me pep and makes me want to call my daughter > to see what's up. LOL But not a high just a mellow happiness. some people > have told me that it knocks them out. > > I've been on for about 15 yrs or more. My ast went up a bit (only 3-4 > points) but wondering if it is because of the darvocet. > > Rain coming to ohio...storms too. and wind. My poor tucker will be > scared. velcro dog. > > Hugs..a > > > ************** > A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in > just 2 easy steps! > (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1221823300x1201398714/aol?redir\ =http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072 & amp; > hmpgID=62 & amp;bcd=JulystepsfooterNO62) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.