LynnCox13 years ago

Is pain stopping you from sleeping?

I have scleroderma with Raynaud's and also automimmune underactve thyroid and, despite being really tired, do find it hard to get back to sleep if I'm woken in the night. For example, last night our 8-year old son fell out of bed at about 1:20am and I was still awake at 3:40am and had read 12 or 13 chapters before actually being ready to go back to sleep - I tried for at least half an hour to go back to sleep before resorting to reading. I was still awake at 6am and am exhausted - at least I don't have to do much today and will get the opportunity to haved a nap this afternoon if my body allows me to. All the last week I have been awake from between 3:30am and 5am and not going back to sleep. I'm not in pain but last night my lower legs were itching, burning and dry despite being moisturised at 9pm and needed doing again at 1:30am - they're still bad this morning.

zenabb in reply to LynnCox13 years ago

I am much like you but my electric over-blanket helps. I read too.

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Anteater13 years ago

I am a bit like LynnCox - When I go to sleep Im asleep but if I am woken up I can lay there was hours awake and very restless..

bookworm13 years ago

I take awhile to get to sleep, then if i need the toilet - that's it. often i can't sleep cos' i'm in pain.

uknlv13 years ago

I tend to sleep a total of 2 hours at a time, then I wake up and it takes awhile to go to sleep. My biggest problem is leg cramps or restless legs. They keep me up most of the time.

zenabb in reply to uknlv13 years ago

Quinine helps with cramps but does not remove them altogether.

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suzierwp330 in reply to zenabb12 years ago

im on quinine but like you say doesnt get rid .but there not so bad .

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suzierwp330 in reply to uknlv12 years ago

im getting bad cramps at nite too so bad my muscle on top off my foot is swollen after 4 weeks .they say as im sweating so much with raynauds im looseing my body salt and am on quinien tabs .im either sweating or freezing carnt get it right .love a nite sleep .

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uknlv13 years ago

Yeah, I am on Quinine tablets. It helps but as you said they dont go totally away.

annmarie7213 years ago

Me to doctors now gave me diazepam helps a little but I no how u feel xx

Sienna12 years ago

I have trouble sleeping during the night. I relate this to my slow digestive track. I sleep much better on an empty stomach during the morning and afternoon. When I do fall asleep I don't sleep for long periods at a time. Something always wakes me up.

lifeforce12 years ago

i did not sleep well for years,felt tired all the time. now i take 1 low dose xanax at bedtime and sleep all night or if i wake up, go right back to sleep. also in the morning i don't feel drowsy. has really been a big help.

Hidden12 years ago

I too have had difficulty sleeping. I use Ambein, it not only lets me sleep I don't stress about not getting to sleep. I do get awakened by pain, when my body gets too warm, when my fingers are flared up. I usually can go back to sleep, after my body temp levels out. I think it becomes almost routine. I am also Peri-menopausal so night sweats don't help.

Meda12 years ago

I go back and forth. Depends on how I'm responding to treatments. Right now though, I'm tired all the time and can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. It's a restless sleep though, like being asleep and awake at the same time. Naps sometimes make me feel terribly worse. But I have noticed I do sleep better on an empty stomach. Problem is, I can't eat normal meal sizes, but small ones, so I eat more often.

flickchick77712 years ago

I have troubles sleeping too, but it is my hands that keep me up. If I don't sleep on my back, my hands swell and get tingly and sore. Haven't had a good night sleep in quite a while. I live in Japan, so sleeping medications are different and not so helpful. =(

overcomer12 years ago

Yes, I agree I have a very serious problem, when it's time for bed. I sleep about 5 hours or less per night. The next day I am so tired and drained, I have lots of pain in my left shoulder, my Dr said just take tylenol that doesnt work at all. well, here's hoping all of us will find a positive solution to our sleepness nights.

msdeedee12 years ago

yes all the above answers just sums me up!

GinaAnn12 years ago

I am YAWNINGGGGGGGGGGG and go to bed, shut mye eyes and dead to the bone about to fall asleep and, wait for it..... I am wide awake!!!!!!!! Urggggggh.

Esmerra12 years ago

I have spent many years battling the lack of sleep issue. I fall asleep ok, but wake up after an hour or so with my toes and fingers throbbing, or joint pain. I tried all the sleep remedies from Advil Pm, to Trazadone, to pain meds, then Clonapin...nothing helped me stay asleep long enough to get a decent night's sleep. It got to a point where i was afraid to get in the car and drive, especially with my kids. My Doctor suggested I try something to help me be awake during the day when I haven't slept. I take something called Nuvigil (armodafinil). It is given to people with Narcolepsy and sleep Apnea. It is great!!! I am alert and able to get things accomplished without feeling like I am in a fog all day. It doesn't make me jittery or shaky, and doesn't keep me up when I want to fall asleep. The pain still wakes me up at night, but at least if I have a horrible night awake, I don't have to spend the following day feeling groggy and "hungover". As with any new meds, check with your doc about starting anything new. I am on a lot of different meds and these don't seem to have any adverse affects. Good luck to everyone out there....I feel your pain!!!

Lisa_Lovatt12 years ago

yes i have probelms sleeping with my raynauds soon as i get it bed it can take me upto 3 hours to get to sleep cause my legs keep me up and sometimes i wake up 2 hours later and takes me ages to get back to sleep again i also have a cold and a really painful throat so that's keeping me awake aswell.