Ok,
I think the worst part of MS lately has been trying to sleep. I used to LOVE sleeping but now its so painful and I toss and turn all night.. on the other hand I'm so fatigued that I have to nap or sleep sometime during the day.

I didn't know if anyone had suggestions on sleeping better/more peacefully. I am numb/hypersensitive on my left side. I currently sleep with a pillow in between my legs to take off pressure. I don't know if I should buy an egg crate mattress to take pressure off the lower leg or maybe start taking sleeping pills.

Or maybe I'll just hang from my ceiling fan like a big bat. This really stinks and hurts and ggrr..

What can I do to make my sleeping better? Or.. is this just the way it is with MS..and I just need to suck it up and deal *sigh*

Monique

First of all, thank you for the chuckle (hang from the ceiling fan like a big bat )

I say to my husband frequently that going to bed is so complicated it's almost easier to stay up. I have MS issues and also arthritis. I sleep in the recliner two or three nights a week. I have a certain pillow here, a folded blanket there, a certain bolster thing behind my neck...you get the idea.

If I sleep in bed every night, my hip hurts (arthritis) and my legs spasm (MS). If I sleep in the recliner every night, my back hurts. I have a knee support that I use in bed, which helps. All kinds of other assorted gizmos, depending on what happens to be hurting or otherwise giving me grief.

I've had to do a lot of experimenting, and I also have to watch what I eat and drink close to bedtime (caffeine) and the timing of my meds.

It's like a broadway production just to sleep at night. I need a pillow there and a blanket there and can't sleep on my back but I am not comfortable on my sides and then sometimes the 4 yr old wants to sleep next to/kick mommy while sleeping. I don't like the next day hangover from the sleeping pills but I'll toss and turn all night.

Maybe when I go to this MS wellness thingamabob in June I will learn something on how to sleep, maybe I'll find a sexy doctor to sleep on.. *sigh* but I digress I am not trying to see my Neuro. because he doesn't know how to ever help me or what to do.. but I guess I'll break down and see him soon, just so I can sleep.

What kind of disease is this, I can't sleep at night and I can't stay awake in the daytime.. grrrr..

Monique

There are probably meds you can take, but I can't help in that department.

I have learned deep breathing exercises and self-hypnosis. I have used Tylenol PM and two puffs of marijuana (which is legal here).

When I am in considerable pain, like you describe, I often sleep on the couch so that my back is propped against the backing.

Sleep problems, both insomnia and non-stop sleeping, are common with MS.

Cherie

Cherie,

I have never even smoked a cigarette..so I know one puff of anything else and I would be out cold I heard it also gives ya the munchies! I am just going to see how this summer plays out, I can afford not to sleep much but when I'm back in school something has to change! Maybe if I go back onto the gabapentin that will help my left side and my sleep problem.. Thanks!
Monique

Monique
I so can relate to your frustration. I have a hip that won't let me sleep on my left side for too long. But I so prefer that side.

I got a thing (can't think of word now) foam mattress pad, about 2 inches high, that conforms to you and springs back in shape when you leave. It does gather heat (great in winter) we'll see this summer. Anyway, my first 2 months were pure heaven. I still have trouble if I spend more then 10 hrs at a time in bed. But frequent naps compensate most of the time.

Maybe someone will come along with the right verbage. I know mine came from JC Penney, but are available in alot of stores.

I hope you find some relief.

Beth,

Is it a Memory foam mattress?? I have a memory foam pillow I sleep on ..and that kinda sounds like it. I have to sleep on my sides, I just can't on my back or front. And with my left side hypersensitive/numb and my right side is the side that gives me muscle spasms I don't know what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll just keep experimenting until I can find something. Thank you!!

Monique

Yep, memory foam, now why couldn't I remember that? Must be MS.

Have you tried doubling it, by folding it in half? I did that for about a month, then I went back to a single layer and feel better now.

I'm a side sleeper too. I'm so sorry you can't enjoy a good side sleep. Much luck as you try and try to find the right relief for you. Please share any good hints you discover.

i feel for you monique,

i have fibromyalgia, a painful muscle and connective tissue ailment + my MS.
it's common when you have fibro to have a sleep disorder. mine's documented (sleep study).

at one point i tried a 25mg benadryl. it's the ingredient in things like tylenol pm. that may help you.

i also got an egg crate and a feather bed. that helped too.
most recently i spent big bucks on a tempurpedic mattress that i really like.
i don't wake in the morning with so much pain.

i also use pillows to "nest" with.

i now am taking ultram with tylenol for my pain and it really helps.
i think if i take it an hr before bed that the decrease in my pain helps me to sleep better.

can you see your pcp? most often my neuro isn't too interested in helping with these "side" issues. your internist may be more inclined to prescribe something.

Judy,

Well..my regular doctor is my UGA doc. and she hasn't been in lately so I have seen another one. He was kinda clueless today. He first wants me to stop taking my Trileptal but check with my Neuro. first about the dizziness and headaches.

I asked him how they can test to see what my blood pressure is while I sleep (wanted him to say sleep study) and he said.. well.. you have a blood pressure cuff, have someone press the button while you sleep *lol* wow.. never expected THAT great answer *sigh* so I'm trying to ask experts (you guys)

Ugh... I shouldn't complain. .I can see.. I can walk for now, albeit slow so I shouldn't complain about lack of sleep. I just miss sleeping

Monique