This is one of my sleepless nights. I have taken all my meds and I am still completely wide awake. This may happen 2 or 3 nights a week and then my body will crash and I will sleep a solid 12 hours. This never happened until I got RSD and no med change has helped it. It gets really exhausting. I even got some melatonin to help and it makes me sleepy, but I can't fall asleep..GRRRR!!

Cindy,
In the beginning this really bothered me, when I was working it stressed me out even more. Now when I get the lemons(all nighter), I decided to either do one project, watch a movie, or turn the lights out and listen to music while allowing my body to rest even if my mind refuses. One night before Christmas, I frosted 200 cookies I had planned to do the next day. I also try to not have a clock flashing in my face. Having those green/red numbers imprinted in my brain to be recited back in the morning is not an upper.
I am sorry you have this issue because it is frustrating, but as with most of my RSD issues, pushing back is not an option, climbing over is. Finding an alternate route to morning. That has been my solution thus far.
May you find a peaceful sleep tonight.
with hope for a quiet day,
pat e

Hi Cindi,
So sorry to hear about your sleepless nights. I get those too and they always make me feel so lonely. I usually take benadryl when I find its 3am and I just can't sleep. I've tried other sleep meds, but benadryl is the only thing that helps me. I hope you get a good night sleep tonight!

Hey all,
Just to add to the rumpus,
After I acquired a TBI, I got huge sleep problems. I had a sleep test done, and was given a C-Pap machine, which is sort of a pia. I asked my Doc, and he added O2. So I have an O2 concentrator connected to the C*Pap machine.
I must admit right off, that my sleep hygiene is terrible.
And, I don't use the C-pap nearly as much as I should. and use the O2 far less than that. (It should be used EVERY NIGHT, at the same time, they prescribe the pressure and set the machine. They come to your home and set you up with the right 'headgear', and you're off!)

But, when I can get in the right cycle, and use them both, it's tremendous! I feel better, more energized, brighter (thinking is better). Overall, a better life.
These sleep studies are important. Don't underestimate them. And, they're not intrusive like some of the other tests they put us through.
All one needs ta do, is prepare for a night at a nice hotel. Take some snacks(if like me, you need something in your belly to sleep), you don't need much. Nothing wrong with getting showered, and come home in the same clothes you came in. Just have your nightwear with you.

The environment is specifically made to seem like a 'comfy hotel'. You'll have TV, and a NICE, non stainless steel environment, carpets and wallpaper, it's a very comfortable single room. They want you to be as comfy as you can be, away from home.
They put an infra red camera on you, and sensors all over your head, and some on your body. All gets fed into Mr Big (a computer), and your doctor gets the report faxed withiin a day or three.

So, I have severe Apnea which is calling for an operation to get my tonsils out. Some sort of blocked apnea. Sorry, I didn't sleep well, and forget the real name.....
(teehee).

But, your sleep is 1/3 of your life!
It's got to go well.
If you're getting nightmares, (I have PTSD, and long term depression), you need a psych as well.

I'm not proud of these things, I'm only trying to help, because Help IS Out there!

It's not so simple as taking a couple pills and dozing off!

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR!

And, get the situation corrected.

It's important!

Wellness to all......

Pete

asb

yep thats my husband, i feel for him and you all, we never heard of rsd thought he was the only one with this 4 yrs ago but wow lots out there and i commend all of you with what you have to go thru day to day hr to hr minute by minute, breaks my heart to see hubby going thru this.

I have any sleepless nights or a few hours at most. I have been up since midnight after just a few hours of sleep and this is my usual pattern. I wish I had answers. I had sleep problems pre rsd so now with the pain and anxiety it really is a problem. Some ideas I have tried of course the different meds like trazadone,serequel,lunesta etc and about to try ativan. Relaxation tapes,music,tv on tv off,melatonin,white noise,reading etc. In so many books you read about pain it says how important a good night sleep is. Not so easy to get though.

I have a very very fine almost unnoticeable tremor that keeps me awake at night. For a long time 3mg of tizanidine took care of it but now it takes 6 mg. For some reason when the tremor is active I just can't fall asleep.

I struggled with poor sleep throughout my 6+ year battle with TOS/RSD/fibro. I am finally sleeping well since I started sleeping grounded.

Google earthing or check out my thread on here about it.

I am often awake at night and find that I can sleep best in the morning for some weird reason. I have to say, late night t.v. leaves alot to be desired, and you can only read just so much.

Daniella,
Are you a flopper? I am and I wake myself up by knocking my feet, knees, or legs against each other. I'vefound that I sleep better in a recliner where I can't flop around like a fish out of water or flip over and get on my stomach. It forces me to stay relatively on my back while I'm asleep. I have one that locks back in recline, some don't and those are more difficult to keep back.