Can your body relax when you lie down?

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering how many of you have issues with lying down to sleep and your body is unable to relax?

Before fibro, I would lie down to sleep and my body was able to instantly relax and sink. I relished the feeling.

For years now my body has been unable to relax. Some nights my overall spasms are increased and it makes it more difficult for me to try to sleep.

Is this normal for fibro?

Thanks.

I think I know exactly what you mean, almost medfree. This is something I've particularly noticed in the past year or so.

Although.... I have been extra active lately, and very busy, and I know I've been sleeping better. My muscles now feel relaxed most of the time, and yes, it's especially helpful when it's time for sleep.

Also, I've cut way down on sweets and only allow a very small amount each day. Ditto on caffeine; I've cut that out. You are so conscientious about eating and drinking that I'd bet you probably don't eat many sweets or very few, if any. Willpower means so much with our fibro issues.

I've also noticed that even eating something light like popcorn can affect my body and it's reluctance to relax before bedtime. I've pretty much resorted to drinking ice water in the evening, and the results so far are good. I only hope that when the cold air hits again it's going to continue to work well.

Prayer and just plain ol' happy thoughts also help me relax before I slee

Thanks for the ideas.

I believe since my spasms are due to my injuries, my muscles are unable to relax and they remain in a spastic state. My cranial sacral massage therapist seems to be helping my muscles somewhat.

Meditation unfortunately doesn't do anything for me since my muscles are unable to relax. I am unable to focus on relaxing certain muscle groups because I do not feel them due to my overall numbness.

I never feel sorry for myself. It amazes me that I am able to do all that I do. I was in a pretty serious car accident years ago and it could have been so much worse.

Yes, Luv, I too have to stay away from sugar and caffeine and foods that don't agree with me otherwise my spasms become worse. Being around chemicals increases my spasms too. It sounds as if you're doing well. We do have to work hard at it while enjoying life as much as we're able.

The body is a remarkable thing.

I know what you mean too. I just told my husband about ten minutes ago that I sure do wish I could just lay down and fall asleep like I use to. I mean I really miss it. Its been more than a year since I've been able to fall asleep on my own. With my work schedule I can only give myself til about 10:00 to try and relax. Itry not to take the same thing everty night and try to switch it up every few days. This week its a muscle relaxer and trazaone.
Seems like my musckes start stiffening p by about 8:00 pm. Sometimes a hot shower and stretches right before bed helps too

Luv-- Like anything, breaking a habit takes awareness. Check in periodically. Are my shoulders rising? Is my neck lowering? Is lowering even a word? -sigh- Post a note where you will see it to remind you to check in. Once this checking in becomes a habit,then you can really start to have some change.

Honestly, I would be hesitant with a back brace. You would be introducing a new habit (this is how I sit with a back brace) as opposed to being aware and making a positive physical change, or replacing an old habit with a new habit.

Here is an example-I was heavy in college. I lost weight. In my junior year, I had two heavy-reading/writing classes. I took up smoking to avoid eating when working at night. It worked. I didn't eat. But I then smoked for the next 7 years,before I managed to stop.

I am so glad you find these helpful. -grins- In my experience, these physical habits often develop for a reasonable fix to a bad habit. Like your brace--It may help you to sit up straighter in the lower back,and that lower back adjustment might bring less slouching when not wearing it. But what does this do to other parts of the body? Do you slouch more with upper back and neck to compensate? Think about high heels. They make the tuckus and legs look great! But it pushes the upper torso out of alignment, and the butt moves back to compensate.

Ultimately, we impose certain habits on our bodies, whether from a health issue, a preference, or just through being unaware. And sometimes the habits have good aspects. We do them often enough so that they become normal and even 'comfortable.' But over time, we discover the not so good aspects. When I started last grad program, I was at the computer a lot, and the keyboard and monitor were not well-aligned. I started pulling my head down and back severely to cope with the difficulty in seeing the monitor. After a bit, I started getting the worst tension headaches. No medication could touch them. The doctor just shrugged,as there was no medical reason for them. I finally put the cause and effect together. Moved the monitor higher,dropped my chair a few inches, and practiced awareness. The headaches disappeared.

Sorry about the novella. I just woke up, and didn't stop typing. Be well.