Insomnia in Fibromyalgia Patients

TiredArtist said...
Sleep has been an issue on and off for me as well. Have you tried any natural remedies? Soft music or nature sounds may help? I have a cd of Buddhist monk chanting and music called the cry of the snow lion that helps me. Some people find the sounds of storms or enya very soothing. Chamomile tea can be helpful though it can cause heart problems in some people especially if used regularly. My doctors keep suggesting meditation to me and may be helpful to you as well. I know it sounds like hippy new agey nonsense, but we should all try anything we can to keep medications as far from us as possible.

Thank you for the advice! I have not tried music or nature sounds, but I find both calming. I will check out the CD you mentioned. I've never found that tea helps me fall asleep, but I know it can work for some people. I've been told by my doctor to focus on mindfulness, so I do think mediation would help. It might sound like hippy new age nonsense to some, but this stuff really works for some people. Plus, if it doesn't help sleep, I believe that it offers other benefits :)

MelW11 said...
I am still working so I HAVE to sleep. I take Melatonin (per my doctor's orders) and Gabapentin at night to help with pain and sleep. I take them about an hour before I am ready to go to bed. I have also started dimming the lights and turning down the sound on my TV about an hour before bed as well. I know some people who cannot watch TV at all, but that actually helps me get sleepy. I have taken Z-Quill before and really like it as well. My doctor is fine with me taking it as long as it is only once or twice a week.

My sister-in-law (who also had Fibro) used to be on the same sleep cycle you are in. She didn't work outside of her home, so it worked for her. She would take the kids to school and then sleep all day and be up with them in the evening.

I guess what ever works for your schedule.

Hope you are having a less-pain day. :)

Thank you for your reply! I used to take melatonin and it seemed to work for a while; however, it slowly stopped working. Perhaps I should consider restarting it. I took Z-Quill once and it didn't work for me, unfortunately. I know it works for others though. Honestly, my sleep schedule is really not conducive for me. I quit my job a few months ago and I'm a student. I was lucky enough to work out my schedule to where I'm only taking online classes this semester; however, I won't be able to continue that. I will have to figure something out before January, so I'm hoping all of the advice from everyone one here will lead me to finding something that works for me :) Thanks again!

scifigal2k said...
My rheumy put me on cyclobenzaprine. It hasn't helped much with falling asleep, but I have a toddler who wakes me up at night a lot, and the meds help me fall back asleep quickly. Before I would be awake for half an hour at least each time my toddler got up. Now I just fall right back to sleep.

I'm glad it has helped with falling back asleep. I have never taken that; in fact, I don't think I've ever taken a muscle relaxer (which is surprising)! That could possibly help me though, so I might mention it to my doctor.