I know this is not an MS thing. The sleep problem started the day I fell and has been with me ever since. If it was an MS thing, I could accept that like all the other things I've accepted. It just makes me so angry because if the store didn't have a leaking ceiling I would never have fallen. At this point, with all I've gone through because of this fall, my patience if running thin but I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. I appreciate all of your responses. Getting feedback is wonderful.

Many hugs and prayers for you, Karousel..

K - I'm sorry about all that you have been through and going through. From the sounds of it, it seems like the pain is waking you up and keeping you awake. It may be from the injuries from your fall or it may be an MS thing. It's hard to tell.

Normally, I sleep well and have no problems. Of course, I take 2 gabapentins a couple of hours or so before bed time and I know that has a lot to do with my sleeping through the night. However, I don't always get a good nights sleep. Spasms wake me up often but I'm not fully awake. If that makes sense. Its like a restless sleep with lots of jerking and moving and not going in to that deep sleep restful sleep.

I would talk to your dr about it and see what he/she suggests. In the meantime, know that many of us go through that. I will keep you in my prayers.

Is this the truth. I live with an insomniac. He takes Ambien and has done some weird stuff while on it. Some of it is so weird and he never remembers any of it in the morning. For him, it is opening and closing doors and cabinets as well as eating. He can talk as if he is wide awake but he is not. After experiencing this with him I decided to never take Ambien.

I am going on 9 years sleeping in 90-120 minute segments. It takes a toll. Funny how during a daytime nap I often sleep a little longer before my body wakes me for one function or another . . .

I'm so sorry Karousel . I've taken Trazodone off and on for years. Sometimes I take 50 mg, sometimes 100 mg. It should work right away.

I'm having some horrible insomnia right now due to stress. My neuro just prescribed Ambien xr but I haven't started taking it yet.

I hope you get some relief from the pain and insomnia soon .

Just wanted to say I've been sleeping a bit better, not waking as often and when I do I can get back to sleep pretty quickly. Not saying anything more so I don't jinx myself and ruin what sleep I've been getting!

karousel,

I totally understand and have the exact same sleep challenges, but mine are the residual of a near fatal brain stem stroke. 68% of surviving stroke victims experience major sleep disorders, yet you don't hear it from any neurologist. Most find out way after the fact from forum boards like this, their PCP, or sleep disorders doctor.

Regardless of the amount of meds or combination, I will wake up withing 2 1/2 hours and that is after taking meds like Hydrocodone, Tramedol, Tegretol, Clonazepam; pushing the envelope on occasion and including Melatonin, and even an Ambien. Exact same result, awake after a maximum of 2 1/2 hours but with that groggy head feeling.

My sleep disorder doctor has diagnosed interrupted Circadian Rhythm Disorder and said my CPAP results looked like DNA sample or very badly fragmented hard drive. Exhaustion comes quickly, easily, unexpectedly, and with a vengeance. Sometimes when I finally crash, I may sleep for 14 hours straight. The only sleep routine I have is NO routine and no amount of adjusting works.

Very possibly when you fell you did more neurological damage than may have been detected and it may have also exacerbated the MS aspects of that part of the brain. I wish I had a solution or recommendation, but I do not. My post is primarily to let you know you are NOT ALONE!

There is a reason why they use sleep deprivation as a form of torture - it is incredibly cruel.

I had open brain surgery on a brain aneurysm seven years ago and to this day, I find it incredibly hard (more like impossible) to turn my brain off at night.

I lay awake until one or two a.m every night and my head is just full of thoughts and 'internal noise'. It doesn't matter how exhausted I am. I sure pay for it the next day, and then the destructive cycle starts all over. It doesn't help my MS at all !!!

I can't offer any great solutions, but I wanted to tell you that I sympathise and hope that this gets sooo much better for you. Did you hit your head when you fell? Brain injuries are notorious for causing this kind of problem. Have Walmart claimed responsibility? And if not, why not??????

Lyn

I take 1 1/2 baclofen, 1/2 benadryl, and 4mg progesterone/4mg estriol.
I stopped the prog/estro last week cause $ went up but I restarted last night & slept great.
Oxygen concentrator also helps me. I keep it carnked on 6 lpm.
I didn't read thread but I take it you get exercise of some sort?