[madamlash]

I don't have a problem with freezing while walking but, I do have a huge problem with freezing in bed. I cannot turn over and it makes me almost panic. I have to inch my way across the bed and I awaken several times each night so, no good night's sleep for me.
I'd sure like to hear from others with good suggestions. I hate sleeping pills. They make me terribly groggy the whole next day.
My neuro suggested that I need to sleep on a super firm mattress so that I don't sink in like quick sand. I was thinking an adjustable electric bed might help. Anyone have either of these? If so, does it help?
Just yesterday I bought some satin pajamas and ordered satin sheets. I'm hoping that sliding around will make it easier to move.

[ol'cs]

HAving handrails on both sides of the bed allows me to reach out and grab hold of something that will then allow me to shift my body weight so that I can get out of awkward positions that I find myself in, such as trying to get an arm out from under my body in an attempt t turn over or rise. The alternative is to just take what sleep you can get while on your back all night, practically immobile.. I take sinemet at night and find that a low dose does not interfere with sleep, but helps to keep me moving.

[ginnie]

Hi Madam, just another suggestion. Tempurpedic now comes in FIRM and in an adjustable bed. This does help with pressure points, so that if you are on your back for any length of time, you won't develope any hurt places. I hope you try out a number of beds before you pick one. They are all rather on the expensive side. The idea of a bed rail is also a great idea from the other person who posted. An over head (across) the bed, is also good when wanting to change positions with no help. My son is an OPT, and does help folks having problems. There are medical supply places that have both these things and can be installed very easily. I do wish you all the best, and a better nights sleep. I do use an over the counter from Walgreens, that works like a charm for sleep, called wallsome. No side effects, no groggies, no after effects in the morning. I hope that you will get some other replies to help. Take care. Can you try some sleepy time tea? Ginnie

[madamlash]

Originally Posted by ginnie

Hi Madam, just another suggestion. Tempurpedic now comes in FIRM and in an adjustable bed. This does help with pressure points, so that if you are on your back for any length of time, you won't develope any hurt places. I hope you try out a number of beds before you pick one. They are all rather on the expensive side. The idea of a bed rail is also a great idea from the other person who posted. An over head (across) the bed, is also good when wanting to change positions with no help. My son is an OPT, and does help folks having problems. There are medical supply places that have both these things and can be installed very easily. I do wish you all the best, and a better nights sleep. I do use an over the counter from Walgreens, that works like a charm for sleep, called wallsome. No side effects, no groggies, no after effects in the morning. I hope that you will get some other replies to help. Take care. Can you try some sleepy time tea? Ginnie

Thanks Ginnie for some good suggestions. When I win the lotto, I will speed down to my neighborhood "beds that cost more than cars" store and treat myself. I understand that now they have sleep number beds that are also adjustable so you can move where you want and adjust the firmness as well. In the meantime, I will pick up some Wallsome and give it a try. I will also look into those overhead grab bars. That might help quite a bit!

[wendy s]

Weird, I just lost my whole message. Hope it doesn't happen again.

I have mild/moderate difficulty turning over at night - a short while ago I learned a bit of the Feldenkreis method of moving and it's made a big difference. Feldenkreis breaks movement down into its smallest parts and then puts it all together again. I sure wasn't using the best way of trying to turn, I'd get so exasperated and worry that I was going to strain something by working so hard at it.

The best thing would be to take lessons but there are movement lessons written down at www.flowingbody.com - go to lesson of the month archive and try #4.

I took an introductory weekend workshop in Feldenkreis a few years ago - we did so little, just lay on the floor and practised moving our heads the right way by rolling them on the floor, then added a little shoulder movement, then the arms, it couldn't have been more minimal effort. But by morning coffee time, I was so starving hungry I wanted to go out and have a steak dinner. Don't know what that was all about!

[madamlash]

Great suggestion... I wouldn't have found this on my own and I am seriously looking into it. Part of the problem is definitely muscle weakness so exercise is certainly needed. Thanks again!

[ginnie]

[Lets both win the Lotto, I need it too. take care...ginnie

[ginnie]

The bar across the bed, does allow you to pull yourself up, and you will get stronger by using it!!!! It is used in therapy all the time. I hope it all works to help you with mobility. Take care...ginnie

[shetawk]

Originally Posted by madamlash

Thanks Ginnie for some good suggestions. When I win the lotto, I will speed down to my neighborhood "beds that cost more than cars" store and treat myself. I understand that now they have sleep number beds that are also adjustable so you can move where you want and adjust the firmness as well. In the meantime, I will pick up some Wallsome and give it a try. I will also look into those overhead grab bars. That might help quite a bit!

Try IKEA. I bought an adjustable, electric powered thingey to add to an IKEA bed frame http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40160275/ with open slats on headboard to grab. Bought mattress and topper for a grand total of a little over $600.

It's my "IKEAMATIC"

[Aunt Bean]

Yes...break your movements into small parts..retrain muscle groups ..shifting weight... like pulling up your knees and then letting the weight of your knees tip you to one side if you are on your back ..If you are a side sleeeper , more difficult...learn shoulder jerking to get the top of your body more onto your back first..one inch at a time. It is hard to take control of muscles when they are used to doing things automatically...but you can with practice talk them into doing what you want. Also a lighter dose of sinemet or other l-dopa at night is necessary for some people. Doctors don't realize that it needs to be spread out evenly over 24 hrs. Had an uncle on sinemet that would get misserable about 2 am and I had to get up and give him 1/2 his sinemet dose then after a half hr he could get comfortable and go back to sleep...he had leg jerks and the sheets would start rustling and wake me up. Had to sleep in the same room to help him at nite. I wake up and flip about every couple hrs and stretch neck & shoulders before getting comfortable again...no movement is bad for me at night...get painfully stiff. Blessings!