Fibro Insomnia and Pain
Posted , 7 users are following.
I have recently been diagnosed with Fibro and the burning nerve pain has been a problem. I usually have been able to manage it during the day for the most part with no medication. Though I can see that might change soon. My BIG issue is insomnia. I know many fibro suffers have this issue. My doctor wants me to try gaba 100mg at night. I tried it for the first time and i did get a little sleepy but it was like i was sleepy but awake at the same time. It did not work well. An hour later I was up and had to take a Klonipin to try and fall asleep but that didnt work well either. I have a low tolerance for medication so I normally use small doses. I have tried amitriptyline but it made the pain worse. AMbien seems to over sedate me and Trazadone gives me a rapid heart rate. He wants me to try Lunesta but I have not heard good things about that.
Has anyone had any luck with gaba at night. Maybe I just need to take a larger dose. I would like to hear what has helped anyone for sleep. I know sleep is so important and now that IM not getting maybe 4 hours of sleep the nerve pain during the day has gotten worse
Again....anyone that has had any luck with anything for sleep please reply
0 likes, 11 replies
stephen_19087 naomi402
Posted
Although I have a few nights sleep through different methods. Hot baths with Deep heat foam bath or Aspon Salts ( A few large hand fulls) you could also try steam rooms or a spa (close to bed time) basically anything that heats and relaxes the muscles, even electric blankets can help especially in the winter months. I have found some relief in A TENS machine / acupuncture.
I have also tried muscle relaxants with some success. Hypnotherapy can help some people unfortunately I am not one of them lol some people have suggested that having a set sleep pattern, and trying not to have any distractions when trying to sleep I.e. Phone TV social Networking etc....
Hopefully some of this helps....
naomi402 stephen_19087
Posted
I am currently doing the same thing. I take maybe 6 hotbaths a day to help with the burning nerve pain. It helps for a couple.hours afterwards. I don't take any pain meds. I take Epson salt bath at night as well as 800 mg of magnesium a day.
I have a super low tolerance for meds so I hesitate taking anything because it usually gives me rapid heart rate.
What have you tried? Have you tried any sleeping meds? Or Gabapentin?
ChronicMigraine naomi402
Posted
Hi Naomi402, I'm currently undiagnosed, but my doctor thinks i have fibro, possible RA or other auto immune issue, not sure yet! (I have abnormal anti CCP and RF)
I'm also very intolerant to most medications and take low dose to work myself up.
I have a terrible time trying to sleep and stay asleep, I have chronic migraines, TMJ facial pain/jaw issues and I grind my teeth at night (bruxism) that contribute to my sleeping issues. My rheumatologist has me currently taking 300MG at night of gabapentin for sleep aid and pain. I plan to work this dose up soon, I'm finding I need more relief!
I do find it helps me to wake up less at night but I think taking gabapentin earlier than right before bed is beneficial. I find it takes a bit to kick in and if I take it to close to when i lay down i have more trouble falling asleep and then i wake even more groggy and tired than I went to bed.
Hope you get some rest and relief soon!
naomi402 ChronicMigraine
Posted
Sounds like that is what I have to do . he said to only take 100 mg but I don't think it.is enough even with mynlow tolerance. I also need to cut the burning nerve type pain anyway. I get rapid heart very easy so a lot of meds will do that to me. I have sleep apnea which is part of fibro so I'm also dealing with a cpap. Akkkk. I have all these things I do before bed. Get the cpap ready, find my lavender oil, find my rescue remedy. Contemplate which med might or might not work or maybe do nothing and take my chances
etc etc etc
oTixxyo naomi402
Posted
I am undiagnosed but board line on just the touch test, long story that started with a slipped disk
I've been on gabapentin for the last 3 or so years but I don't use it for sleep, didn't even know it was used to help sleep I tend to take 300mg 3 times a day without the sleeping effect and still have issues.
I have nothing to suggest other than what's been mentioned, hot baths etc, I hope you get it sorted out, the night time is the hardest for me as it feels like pain is radiating through my body.
Good luck
oTixxyo
sharon43740 naomi402
Posted
Hi Naomi
I really do feel for you, I'm suffering badly at the moment, my dr has put my gabapentin up from 1800mg to 2700mg a day also taking 75mg of amitripyline a night and still not sleeping properly, I also have severe osteo and rheumatoid arthritis all over the body, at the moment I'm suffering severely with my neck, I'm feeling dizzy so not good, was diagnosed with fibro at the end of last year so still getting the odd weird things coming that I've never experienced before, must say gaba does help me sleepy during the day, don't know if this helps you or not, good luck xx
naomi402 sharon43740
Posted
I couldn't take amitriptyline even in the low dose made my burning pain worse. Honestly hot bayjs and going to the chiro 3 times a week is the only thing I get relief from. Wishing for 6 hours asleep..eventually.
naomi402
Posted
iellen32 naomi402
Posted
I have Temporal Artheritis (GCA) there are 3 years, not associated with PMR though.
i do not have any pain.
To exchange experiences is an important point- we learn and in same time we may help others.
The Forums give to us both opportunities.
sweetheartedly naomi402
Posted
Hello. I know the feeling. Insomnia has been a struggle of mine for the past three and half years. It has really gotten to the point that it has taken over my life completely. As a slight hippie, I am very relunctant to take medications, and try to do my research. My pain specialist has recently prescribed me Tiazadine. It is a muscle relaxant. She started me off with 2 mg, however I found that I woke up again in three to four hours, so we decided to increase the dosage to 4 mg, and I genuinely think that this has helped. It has honeslty been one of the best things for me, so it's something that you might want to look into. I have been so excited to finally be able to get to sleep, and not have to go through hours of relentless tossing and turning. I hope this helps some. If not, I wish you luck in your journey.
naomi402
Posted