Sorry for your sleep problems Ada. It really stinks when you can't sleep - I hate it. I will have sleep issues when my pain levels are high, which is all too often... I take 800 mg of Skelaxin, a muscle relaxer, when I get into bed with my laptop or a newspaper or a book. An hour later I take 12.5 mg of Ambien CR. That combo usually knocks me out. When severe pain is a problem, I will need to keep my pain meds handy for when I wake up during the night.

I've been using the Skelaxin/Ambien CR combo since I was diagnosed in the summer of 2008. It's difficult for me to say whether I feel "drunk" or not when I get up - I generally take my Ambien 9 hours before I need to wake up in the morning. In the morning I usually walk a few miles before I do anything else - maybe that helps to get my system going.

I hope you get your problems worked out soon. Insomnia is the worst.

Take care, Sandy

Hi. I have very bad sleep even on meds. I had this problem pre rsd so with it I am even worse. I watch tv through the night as well. I have tried the no tv and I even have a harder time sleeping.I know you stated you fear the side effects but you may want to talk to your doc about another med. There are some sleeping meds that enter the blood stream different. Maybe a slow release one would be better for you.

Hi Ada,

My pain specialist told me to take 2 Tylenol PM. She said that ti's not habit forming. NOt sure if that will help or not. I take it so that I don't move as much at night - or roll over on my bad arm.

Just a thought...

The worst thing is to not sleep. Our bodies can't re-boot without it.

Good luck

Hello Ada..I wish I could help you out on this one but you know me..no pills (sensitive belly)..no sleep.. and yes..pain... I can generally fall alseep pretty quickly..just wake up a bunch during the night... I will take tylenol PM but thats all...

Hugz, Kathy

dealingwithtos,
You are wasting your money when you buy Tylenol PM or Anything PM. The PM portion is the same as Benedryl. Check the ingredients. Way cheaper to buy the store brand &/or generic. Some people can't take tylenol anymore, like me. I have an enlarged liver & I don't do tylenol nor alcohol anymore.

Ada,
When this first got me, RSD, I didn't sleep hardly at all either. It has only been since my first back surgery in 11/05 that I have started to sleep. Now I sleep all the time, even when I don't want to *LOL* especially in the evenings when I want to watch Grey's Anatomy.............I have slept thru more of that show than I have actually watched it.

Debby

I haven't started the Ambien again. I have had things going in the daytime that I don't want the hangover feeling.

Kathy, I have the stomach problems also. I have so much trouble with meds, I'd just rather not try them. I get my stomach on track and then somehow I get it messed up again even on my stomach meds so I stay away from most meds.

Debby, you are right on the Tylenol. I was taking it at times and again my Dr. said it caused liver problems and I did hear it on tv. I thought at one time it was the safest to take.

I had to be up at 4 this morning so I didn't dare try anything but I wake up about every hour. I hate it.

I will ask my Dr. about the Benedryl if I can't get past this feeling with the Ambien. I honestly think I tried Ambien years ago and it did nothing for me. That was before I got some of my pain level down.

Thanks to all for the help.

Ada

I was going to say the same about tylenol and it being bad on the liver. I am not sure how safe benedryl is long term either. There is obviously a difference between people who have an occasional night with sleep issues who take these and like many here who have chronic sleep issues. I have tried so many meds for sleep and am really struggling with it still. What about an anti anxiety med that can aid with sleep too? I understand the gi upset. This morning I was so nauseas. Do you take your meds with food? I do even my night time ones I take with a snack. It helps to a degree. Sorry I am not much help. Sending thoughts

I have been on the Ambien for about 5 days now. I am past the side effects except for I feel more depressed and less active in the daytime. It seems like these meds help in one way and causes problems in other ways.

I was getting out more and doing more. Now I seem less incentive to do so, I try to keep active. I start volenteer work at a Vet's home this week and I have got to get with the program. Not feeling like it right now.

I am sleeping better, I don't sleep all night but I only wake up maybe once or twice now.

Daniella, I am off pain meds again, I do think though the not sleeping issue is both from RSD and meds we take.

Ada

I am sorry that you are having side effects still. Maybe trying another med for sleep. When Ambien was not helping me my doc rx lunesta? Or a combo with anti depressent if you are not on any? Someone on here has had great benefit from serequel which is for mood but aids in sleep. I have been on that for awhile and I think mood wise it may help sleep not so much. The lady I am talking about who it does help with sleep it really has been a blessing for her.
For me my pain increases when my body is still for too long and then my anxiety increases at night so the combo is a disaster.
I think it is great you are volunteering. I give you so much credit. I want to try to do that but then I get hit hard with pain and I put it off. I hope you can find a plan that works with little side effects

My Dr. has roped me into volenteering. He works out at the Vet's home and wanted to get me out of the house more. I think it will be fun though, I do know several people that volenteer there. They do a lot of activities for the Vets such as cookouts, antique car shows, motorcycle groups come out and entertain. They keep them busy.

I will ask him about another med. I hate taking them but this sleep issue drives me nuts.

My allergies are kicking in also. I started back on my zertec to deal with them. The left side of my nose runs all of the time.

Ada