When I finally went to sleep around noon, I still needed help to get to sleep. My aunt told me that it would be ok if I took an Ativan pill, break it in half, break the half in half, and then take the smallest piece that I had.

That was good for about 3 hours or so. I feel a little better.

Since I'm still tired, I'm going to try to go to sleep around 10 or 11 tonight and see if I can get to sleep normally. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to figure out if there's anything else I can do to get to sleep.

One thing my aunt suggested, was to not sit at the computer in a brightly lit room just before going to bed. So, I guess I need to put the computers to bed a bit earlier than I have been.

Hey there Erin -- Are you still up? You can see it's about 3:30 am and here I am. Were you always a night person? I always have been along with my three adult kids, but now the fibromyalgia has really messed up my sleep schedule. For some reason I seem to feel better at night and go to sleep around 6 am 'til 2 pm. It's so weird though, during the day when I'm trying to read, watch tv, etc., I keep dozing off, but try to actually go to bed....forget it.

Years ago I tried some different sleeping aids and vowed never again. They either didn't work, made me feel like carp or were addicting. Do you have those sarcastic comments from friends, relatives, etc., about sleeping all day? DUH -- if they were up all night, bet they'd be sleeping during the day too.

Hope your doc has some answers for you. I've given up and just go with the flow. If something comes along where I have to be up earlier, just a little less sleep.

Take care and good luck!

I went to the doctor today. Saw the PA because my favorite all-time doctor has moved away ~sob~ ~cry~ ~sniffle~. (I'm very sad about this. He was eye candy...and he was genuinely nice. Nicest doctor I've ever talked to)

The PA was nice. (she's new, which is good. Their other PA is a <bad word>)

She gave me a Rx for Ambien (generic) and answered a few of my other questions. She seemed to know a bit about MS, which is good. Not all doctors know that much about MS for some reason...

She helped me figure out one of the problems, and said that she'd help me with a possible solution for it. (something related to girl stuff)

She did tell me that some meds like the amitriptyline can sometimes stop working for a person, and then it becomes part of the problem. Told me it was good that I quit it, since she thought I must be sensitive to it.

I'm just hoping that I'll fall asleep normally tonight and wont have to take the Ambien. I'm probably going to go to bed around 12 or 1230am. I'm setting my alarm to wake me at 8am (and then I'll be hitting snooze for another hour) My goal is to at least be up by 930 or 10am. I hope I dont end up sleeping till 2pm like I have been lately.

I still need to catch up on my sleep bankruptcy.

I am sorry you are not sleeping. Definitely talk to your doctor. I would like to add that Clonazepam (Klonopin) helped me stay asleep. That seems to be a problem for you too.

Indeed. I sleep wonderfully on it

I went to sleep last night around 1230am. (earliest for me in a long time!) I used a pill splitter on my Ambien to break the pill into little pieces. Took the smallest chunk. I think it worked pretty good that way.

I woke up around 4am or 5am, not quite sure which it was, and was awake for probably 10 or 15 minutes. Went back to sleep and woke up around 730am. Went back to sleep and got woken up at 9am by the phone. Decided to get up then.

So, I had problems staying asleep last night, but at least I slept. I feel so much better this morning than I have for the past few weeks. I want to take a nap now, but I'm trying to hold off on that.

I took my mom to pick up our vacuum cleaner, and then took my mom to get breakfast. It's kind of weird to be awake before the breakfast restaurant closes at 2pm.

Glad to hear you finally got some sleep Erin. Is the Ambien still working? Thought I heard about a new slow-releasing Ambien that helps the staying asleep problem? It's bad enough when we have such fatigue on a regular basis, but then not sleeping on top of it is just ridiculous.

Isn't it difficult when you have to switch doctors? Seems like I just get used to one that I feel comfortable with and then they leave. I've read that Pennsylvania is having an MD shortage. Probably the high cost of malpractice insurance and not being paid enough to start with. As I've mentioned before, there are just no MS specialists in this area. Went to a "so-called specialist" a few years ago, but found he actually treated all neurological problems, not just MS.

Back to sleeping -- Do you find when you've slept the 'normal' amount of time in bed, you're extra sore and stiff getting up? My legs spasm so badly it takes at least 1/2 hour if not longer just getting out of bed. I've been thinking about one of those adjustable ones where the head would come up and supposedly make it easier to get my stiff legs out. Have you used one? Or anyone else?

Pleasant dreams!!!!!!!

Good deal, Erin. Hope the Ambien works well for you. Just be aware of the one weird (and sometimes serious) side effect: sleep eating. No kidding...... it really IS a problem. Look it up.

Woah! Get some locks for the cupboards

I only just started the Ambien lat night, so it better still be working tonight!

It's been such a long time that I spent a "normal" amount of time in bed, that I cant remember how it feels. This morning, I didnt feel so sore and tired as I have been. I woke up, and got up and moved around without going "Ooowwwwwwwwwwwwww!!" from pain in my back.

My parents have an adjustable bed. (my mom has knee replacements, and arthritis) She still gets up and staggers around and moaning in pain in the mornings.