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(lack of) sleep

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/4/2013 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
I've been in a flare for a few months. It's slowly, slowly, slowly getting better. The worst part of it right now is the lack of sleep. For the past 2-3 weeks I've been waking up about every hour to every hour & a half with back cramps and what feels like my colon spasming. It doesn't go away by just switching positions - I actually can only sleep if I'm on my side with my back straight. I am just at my wits end trying to be productive without much sleep....not to mention I think it's hindering my healing process. Does anyone know any tricks to sleep even a few hours at a time? I've tried MM which used to do the trick but it's also failing me. Thanks!!
Posted 11/5/2013 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Could be largely attributed to the prednisone. Do you take it all at once in the morning? You should also be doing rectal meds. The quicker your colon heals and the quicker you get off the pred the better you will be able to sleep.
Posted 11/5/2013 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Melatonin?
Posted 11/5/2013 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
I would try taking a Benadryl and a Tylenol at bedtime. The Benadryl should knock you out and hopefully the Tylenol will dull the pain enough to keep it from waking you up. The sleep issue is horrible, it really makes you dread the nighttime, I've been there. Hope it improves for you soon.
Posted 11/5/2013 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
I also used a heating pad at night to help the back pain, soothing and relaxing.
Posted 11/5/2013 12:07 PM (GMT 0)
I also used a heating pad at night to help the back pain, soothing and relaxing.
Posted 11/5/2013 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everybody for all the suggestions! I did try Tylenol PM last night and I still woke up but not nearly as much as previously - although my cramps this morning are the worst that they've been in a while so I'm not sure which is worse.

I have meslamine enemas - I just somehow always forget about them but I'm sure you're right that they would help speed the healing process along.

I'm looking for the light at the end of the tunnel though! It has to be there!
Posted 11/5/2013 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe this is not the appropriate place for a joke but could not resist. There is a place of business that I frequent from time to time which has the following sign posted:

 "Due to recent budget cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off"

 

Posted 11/5/2013 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
HAHAHAHA no actually that joke was just what I needed today!
Posted 11/5/2013 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Just out of curiosity where is your back pain (upper, middle, lower)? The reason I ask is because I've recently been experiencing some crazy back pain on the left side of my middle back. I wonder if that is due to not stretching after a crazy crossfit WOD or if this is something to do with my UC..
Posted 11/5/2013 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Bezzy - the pain is in the center of the small of my back..it generally spreads from my tailbone in a 3-4 inch radius.
Posted 11/6/2013 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Your sleep certainly has connection to Pred. When do you take it? Best time is morning, when cortisol levels are high. If you take it around dinner or later, forget the sleep.

Melatonin will help you sleep but it will not maintain the sleep unless you use slow release melatonin.
Posted 11/6/2013 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
6 all nighters in a row. Busy at work. I usually flop onto my bed for 1-2 hours of DEEP sleep.

That crazy night urgency is bad bad bad.

- Double immodium before bed
- Librax
- Cortisone where the sun dont shine

Get the neutrophil count down if high using NAC, green tea, etc.
Posted 11/6/2013 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
I do take my pred in the morning. I don't think it's 100% to blame because I was having trouble sleeping for about 2 weeks before I was put on the taper. I'm sure that it doesn't help the situation though.
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