InsoMEia!

Hi everyone

Am sitting here with my ME 'bible' and it's chapter on sleep problems associated with the illness ....... so will just quote a few interesting bits ....

'It is common to have hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) at the beginning of the illness, but in the chronic stage, poor and disturbed sleep usually develops and can be very difficult to overcome. Poor sleep may be due to brain disturbance at the level of the hypothalamus. There appears to be a loss of part of the sleep cycle which shows up on an EEG as 'alpha rhythm', the very deep dreamless phase of sleep. Another part of sleep, called 'rapid eye movement REM is preserved, and may give VIVID, UNPLEASANT DREAMS'(We all know about that ..... :roll: )

Other things can disturb sleep:

* muscle pain/twitching

* restless legs

* oversensitivity to noise

* palpitations, sweating, nightmares

* panic atttacks, and racing brain that just will not switch off even though you are exhausted

* and of course, the elephants!! (Note to Donna: I have been humming 'Mellie the Elephant ' all flaming day!!! :roll: )

There follows various advice on how to get a better night's sleep, but we know all those -

What I did find interesting was:

'Electro-magnetic energy fields may not affect those who are well, but ill people seem to be extra sensitive to them, and sleep disturbance may be one of the effects. Avoid having lots of electric cables passing across or near the bedhead and if possible switch things off at the plug before sleeping, except for the bedside lamp'.

Makes interesting reading.

Well, I am now exhausted:sleepy:

Night, night

Hey gang

Katie that makes for interesting reading, wonder if it also regards mbl phones too, might start switching mine off,

im that sensative when im sleeping or trying to sleep i can hear the hedgehog scuffling outside, infact im that sensative i can hear the grass growing :shock:

i will look at getting myself one of them magnetic bracelets to see if it will help me sleep, deprived sleep has gotta be the worst sympton for me, specially after years of it

What book is this ME Bible, id be looking at getting meself one

Pleasant dreams

thanks Katie. a lot of that adds up in my case and explains it.

Now it's a matter of finding something to help.

I am still considering trying the Q-Link, especially in light of what you quoted about EMF :roll:

Hi guys and gals

Jay - my bible is :- M.E. by Dr Anne MacIntyre (who is also a sufferer) - published by Thorsons Health. I am constantly referring to it as she obviously has such a sound understanding of it.

The magnetic bracelet as Alicia has mentioned is a Q-Link. It is expensive (about £75 for the cheapest) and I would hate everyone to go and buy it and find it to be useless. I only sent off for one cos my sister-in-law was continually badgering me to get one as it really helped a friend of hers with ME. I put it on, not really expecting anything to happen, but I seem to haver slept well ever since. I always used to wake repeatedly during the night, lying awake for hours ..... but have really slept well since using it. My brain fog has improved too - probably cos of the good quality sleep.

Might just be a coincidence ..... :?

Katie, I have found it for £59.95 and like I said, the jury is still out. I will let you know what I decide but the idea of sleep is very tempting and, like you say, it has a 90 day money back guarantee. :roll:

do you go back to sleep easily if you wake up, say for a wee? Or don't you wake up?

Yes, I usually wake up for a wee - but I just can't wait to fall back into bed. I go straight back to sleep - which I have NEVER done before - I always used to lie awake for hours with my brain racing.

It's a completely new experience for me - and my eyes are so much clearer

My fibromyalgia is not good at the moment though, so I don't think it has really helped that. But then, I am quite sure, that as I feel better I am probably doing too much ...... in fact I know I am :roll:

JUst another quick update

I took half a tablet last night and slept! Probably not fantastic sleep but I nodded off which is much more than the previous night. Infact yesterday afternoon I took myslef of to bed and laid there for 1 1/2 hours unable to sleep!

I am still feeling tired today and aching as er bloomin usual but hey ho thats life!

I am going to take the other half tonight but I am sub-consentiously wondering if I am getting addicted to them?

D x

Donna, you won't become addicted to them I'm quite sure.

If you are aware of the fact that they could be addictive then you won't have a problem .....

From my 'bible' ....

'If you have insomnia night after night, and also have tense, painful muscles, then taking a mild sedative for a few weeks does no harm. Once you strart to feel a bit better you may be able to do without them, or take them the odd night only'(which is just what I do - and I have been told I have a very addictive personality - :shock: ) So if I am okay, so you will be too.

It also says ' Zopliclone is a newer type of sleeping pill which is less addictive'.

So, don't worry!

Katie xx

PS Have again been humming 'Melly the Elephant' all flipping day following your posting:roll:

I don't react well to any drugs, but I have found that the herbal Nytol works for me. The dose is 2 but I only take one. I'm not aware of which point I fall asleep but I sleep 6 hours solid (dog permitting :roll: ) and don't wake up woozy. :D Even so, I don't take them every night.

Thanks everyone!

I know we all feel we are suffering with the insomnia but I am just feeling selfish and that I am the only one suffering. It's because everyone seems to be getting on with things and going about their daily business and I cant!

I just cant seem to naturally switch off and relax - enabling a good nights sleep.

Donnax

Donna, it's a horrible feeling and affects how you feel and function all the next day. :cry:

We can all appreciate how you feel Donna

If I have a bad night, I feel absolutely lousy all day and woe betide anyone that crosses me :evil:

You are probably the busiest of us all, with full time work, children, pony, elephantaurus and everything else that you are trying to fit in to your day - it would floor the most healthy of folk, without having ME.

We may sound as if we are all getting on with our lives ..... in my case, I'm not really doing very much at all :roll: And I always have to rest for a couple of hours in the afternoon :zzz: otherwise my evening is wiped out.

So chin up!!!

Katie xx :hug: