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I need more SLEEP!!!

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Posted 3/1/2014 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
I am not complaining here, b/c since I have started treatment, so many of my symptoms have subsided. I am still left with migratory pains, tingling/numbness in my fingers and toes, which is easy to deal with, both my arms are still giving me so much trouble, most especially at night. I am trying so hard to sleep on my back, but after sleeping on my stomach or side for 39 yrs, I just can't do it!! Either my arms below the elbow get numb when I rest my head on them, or if I bend them aside, after an hr or so they get stiff and it wakes me up. Does anyone else have this problem? They used to hurt even more a few weeks ago before treatment, but I guess even though the pain is less, it is still enough to get me up. I am tempted to try Benadryl on nights when I really need a good snooze. Has anyone tried that? I figured it will knock me out enough that I won't feel much discomfort. I don't want to take a TCA for this, bc I am not a fan of taking meds in the first place. Any thoughts?? Thanks!!
Posted 3/1/2014 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Oh yes! I take sleeping pills.

Margaret
Posted 3/1/2014 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
I take a muscle relaxer at night and sometimes I'll do the benedryl, it works.

Also get the problem with hands falling asleep but more so in the morning.

I try to sleep on my back also but it's not as comfortable plus as you age, back sleepers don't get as many wrinkles as side sleeper.

Hope this symptom passes soon.
Posted 3/1/2014 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
I used OTC pain reliever and nightime sleep aid. It helps with the sleep as well as the pain.
Posted 3/1/2014 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all.
Posted 3/1/2014 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Chapelle I have the same exact problem. I have to sleep with both my arms fully extended touching my thighs basically or else either arm will get numb very fast. I can't sleep on my sides because the arm that is underneath will become numb. In my case, I am waking up 30 to 60 times per night and feel like I get 2 hours of sleep when I wake up. I don't really have dreams because my sleep is so interrupted that I don't think I enter REM sleep. I have no idea if this is because of Lyme or one of its co-infections.

My first question to you is do you have Lyme and co-infections and which blood tests have you tested positive on?

My next question is, have you ever seen a vascular surgeon or neurosurgeon to rule out thoracic outlet syndrome? This is a narrowing of the area by your neck and first rib that causes numbness in the arms because of compression of the nerves, arteries, and blood vessels in the area which affects the arms because the arms are supplied by this area. I've been to about 15 doctor visits for thoracic outlet syndrome and all the tests have come back negative (mri, mra, emg). It's usually caused by an abnormality like an extra rib or a car accident that affected the neck either of which will cause compression in the area.

I'm hoping it's a result of Lyme and co-infections so that I can treat this. By the way, lunesta, ambien, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, anti anxiety, melatonin, Tylenol pm, ny quill, and many others have had zero effect in improving my sleep. Also, you might want to be careful taking any sleeping aids because if your body is telling you to wake up because of numbness and your senses are bypassed with medication, you might do damage. Remember your body is waking you up for a reason. I think this is a really bad symptom to have since you need sleep to recover. I'm pretty miserable right now.
Posted 3/3/2014 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Cppoly , sorry to hear you are struggling with this too. How long have you had lyme?

To answer your questions, yes I have lyme but based on a clinical diagnosis only. My original quest lyme test came back negative and I am waiting on the stonybrook tests including the coinfections.

Second question, no never went to those specialists. Never heard of thoracic outlet syndrome but after reading about it I highly doubt its a possibility for me. I do however have carpel tunnel which can cause numbness from the elbow down and honestly I have had this numbness problem in the past in my left arm. But the pain and numbness combo is definitely due to the lyme. Did you ever consider carpel tunnel as a possible diagnosis?

If you do have lyme though then that's your culprit. Do you know how long you have had it? Once lyme is treated these symptoms will subside. My LLMD expects me to make a full recovery in which case all of my symptoms will resolve in time. I hope you have the same prognosis as me! What treatment are you currently on?
Posted 3/4/2014 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
I would be interested to see how low both of your blood pressures go at night when sleeping like that. It could be something like POTS and I've seen that in Lyme patients before.

Drink a glass of water prior to bedtime and keep a glass on the nightstand for when you wake up. I see an awful lot of people dehydrating during the night. If this doesn't work, try eating more salt with supper in addition to the glass of water.
Posted 3/4/2014 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think its POTS either. My heart isn't racing or anything. I am calling my LLMD today. Now its happening to whatever part of my body I am putting the most pressure on. For example, last night I woke up twice - once b/c my left pointer went numb and another time bc my right shoulder went numb (that was a first). It's freaking me out!! I will let you know what she says. This all got worse when I started all of the nutritional supplements, wondering if any of those have anything to do with this??
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