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insomnia

Posted , 6 users are following.

john85166
john85166

Hi all

My grf is approx 10 now.  No dialysis as yet. My sleep pattern is appalling and I wonder if anyone else has any tips for improving sleep.  

It did start some years ago because (as you know) the depleted kidneys wouldn't retain any water during the night.  Now I'm sure it is more then that. I do remember that long ago feeling of calm and comfort when lying in a bed but now its more internal aggravation, probably all those toxins inside me.

Any tips would be gratefully accepted. 

2 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • marj01201
    marj01201 john85166

    Posted

    John, my sleep pattern has really changed as my CKD has worsened too. Lately I have found that if I do a light workout (i.e., 24 minutes low intensity) on my recumbent elliptical machine about an hour before bed I seem to be sleeping better through the night. Also, I do not eat or drink anything for at least 4 hours before I go to bed.

    Marj

    • john85166
      john85166 marj01201

      Posted

      Thks Marj.

      I'll try that. I've got an exercise bike i can use. I don't feel very safe walking late at night but maybe i should try that as well.

      Many thks. I'll let u know how i go.

    • marj01201
      marj01201 john85166

      Posted

      I don't walk after dark either. But for me, the exercise seems to cause some additional fluid elimination before I go to bed. Then I'm not getting up so much throughout the night to go to the restroom. Plus, the exercise seems to help me settle into a deeper sleep.

      I hope you figure something out that will work for you!

      Marj

    • john85166
      john85166 marj01201

      Posted

      I'm usually too exhausted for much exercise b4 bed.  Thats not to say sleep is going to happen.

      Maybe a gentle yoga session tailored would help.

      Insomnia is a common symptom of anemia. 

      Maybe the exercises gets the old blood flowing and that helps.

      My HB readings hover around the 100 mark (whatever that means) with the ideal reading being 130-140.  So I;m pretty low on the blood.  I have the monthly jabs and the doctor is happy with where it is.

    • marj01201
      marj01201 john85166

      Posted

      John, I can relate on the anemia issues. I've had severe anemia with my CKD since I was in Stage IIIB. What they have been doing for me is a combination of EPO injections as needed and 3 210 mg Auryxia daily. That medication is a phosphorous binder that also has a lot of iron in it, I think. Between the two medications my hemoglobin comes in at the mild tonmoderate level with anemia. 

      Anyway, it's not a rigorous exercise that I do before bed. But a mild exercise for 15 minutes or so seems to help me. I'm sleeping about 3-4 hours and then am up to go to the rest room. I'm usually able to get back to sleep and sleep for another 3-4 hours. So I'm clearly not yet struggling with sleep as much as you are.

      This CKD isn't easy to manage on a daily basis.

      Marj

  • Janinec87
    Janinec87 john85166

    Posted

    Hi John I am also at 10% no dialysis, my sleep is also awful! I feel like most days i drop off fast but wake early hrs and am in a really light sleep all night!
    • john85166
      john85166 Janinec87

      Posted

      Janine. Isn't it awful. With me I'll feel good one day and then awful the next day. The nights are always bad. I haven't even considered taking sleeping pills cause i could just imagine how bad that woukd be. Falling over furniture all night. I just wish there was a cure for our condition or even some remedy.

      Hope we get better soon.

      Thks for your reply

  • fran32391
    fran32391 john85166

    Posted

    Can't relate to gfr 10, mine is gfr23. I had a bad problem sleeping from chronic pain so my Dr allows me to take Tylenol pm. Takes the edge off the pain and helps me get some sleep. I still get up 2 -3 times a night, don't feel drunk while walking to the bathroom and am able to go back to sleep. It has made a great difference in my life. Feel better rested in the morning.

  • bryan1973
    bryan1973 john85166

    Posted

    Insomnia is a side effect. I'm at 9% just started dialysis. I was hoping my sleep would improve but it's got worse.

    Last night was the worse yet. Bed at 10. Woke at 1. Back bed woke at 3. Took sleeping pill amd woke at 6.

    Got to love ckd fo4 lack of sleep!!

    • john85166
      john85166 bryan1973

      Posted

      Byran.  Three hour stretches would be gold for me.  I'm one hour then up walking around.

      I also thought there would be good changes with dialysis, but maybe not.

      Thanks for sharing with me.

    • john85166
      john85166 bryan1973

      Posted

      Hi Bryan. How do you feel now after a couple weeks on dialysis?

      Hope you are feeling much better.

      John

  • 3kidneyguy
    3kidneyguy john85166

    Posted

    Check your ferratin levels -- You might need a transfusion to improve your anemic levels

    Also , try taking benadryl at night to help you sleep better

    Your sleep levels will improve when you start dialysis

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