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What helps you to get better sleep? (And what hasn't helped?)

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 11/19/2012 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have been sleeping but not getting restorative sleep. Sometimes I go through these phases and they eventually stop, but this one is a long one. The last few days have been bad and I'm starting to feel disoriented and experiencing derealization. I'm also sinking into a depression.

I feel blessed and fortunate to say that, at this point in time, fibro pain has never been a major issue for me, but my world revolves around sleep issues and feeling sleep deprived. Right now I am feeling desperate. I wish I had the money to find a doctor that could help but at this point in time I'm just concerned about getting the rent payed this month.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Has anyone had any luck with antidepressants like trazodone or did it have bad side effects?
Sleep aids?
Melatonin? (I bought some but haven't tried it)
Something else?



I'm still just kicking myself every day. Last year I felt so good and healthy and rested. This year since the summer has been awful. I overworked myself and changed schedules, had major migraines and since then I've been a mess. I think the lack of sleep is contributing to my feeling depressed and abnormal and I just can't even think straight.

Thanks
Posted 11/19/2012 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I work fulltime, and need my sleep. If I do not get enough sleep, I cannot fulfill my job or my life.

I take generic ambien. I have taken rozerem, but my current insurance does not cover it. I tried melatonin for several months back when I was first diagnosed, but it did not give me the rest I needed in order to keep my mind sharp enough for work.
Posted 11/19/2012 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
I think mine has to do with what I eat. Trying to eat certain things certain days to see. But Other than a nap during the day LOL I haven't found anything specific that helps. Last december is when I was having bad fibro symptoms (wasn't Dx yet), and now we are going into Dec and here I am again miserable...
Posted 11/19/2012 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have used Trazadone for a long time with no adverse side effects. It is not addictive and I'm actually using less now than I used to. I find it a valuable medication for getting to sleep and also staying asleep.

I took an Ambien once and was up all night with it. Just goes to show again how individuals react differently to various meds.
Posted 11/19/2012 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Charm city - getting poor sleep will cause depression and fibro fog. I dont take nothing for sleep anymore. I use to, but I hated to be dependent on them. The old ambien is extremely cheap and works well. Trazadone is less addicting and cheap to buy to.

These are the things I do to get a good night sleep. I do take antidepressent at night. It has something in it to keep my mind from racing. It helps me sleep also. I try to stop my caffeine early. I don't take naps during the day. I try to read something in bed, it makes me sleepy. Keeping the same routine at night makes a world of difference. My favorite is pushing my preheat button on my heating blanket in bed. Then when I crawl into it, I just melt and relax my muscles. Lol
Posted 11/19/2012 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I do quite a few things to make sure I get the best possible sleep...

I go for my nightly walk (1.4 miles) at 6pm...

I eat small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals and pretty much nothing after 7pm.

The temp in my room is 68 degrees (or less).

When ready for bed...I shut ALL the lights off, tv off, computer off, and then put a timer for my phone to listen to a book while I drift off to sleep...It's pitch black in my room..

I have a bunch of different pillows that make sure my spine is aligned while sleeping.

*And then one of the most important that I was told is to go to bed a the same time every night as well as wake up at the same time. So I am pretty much asleep by 10pm and up at 5am. I don't even need an alarm to get up my rhythm is that good now!

I did try everything from Melatonin to other natural supplements but had to go to Ambien (generic) after my last fusion surgery because the pain was just too great and needed sleep. Within a week of starting this med...it was a pretty big difference in my fatigue and pain levels the next day.

Now with all of these things...I maybe take a nap twice a year!...I only drink one cup of coffee in the am...more for comfort than caffeine as I make it pretty weak.

So...just my own thoughts/suggestions..
Posted 11/19/2012 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I go for a walk a couple times a day and do my twice daily physical therapy stretches twice a day and this helps me deal with the tightness and pain throughout the day and for sleeping at night.

I also watch what I eat. If I eat something that doesn't agree with me during the day, I have trouble sleeping.

I take melatonin and l-theanine. If I didn't I wouldn't be able to sleep.

Good luck to you.
Posted 11/19/2012 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Is your mind refusing to wind down? I used to have a major problem of mine racing for hours before bedtime. I take paxil and it's slowed down some.
I still have nights where my body wants to stay awake though. That's the nights I take two benadryl and knock myself upside the head with a hammer. :))
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