Sorry that if I am posting too many questions. With being just diagnosed with RA, lots of questions come up!

Anyway, I have just begun some treatment and I know some of the medication will take some time to kick in. In the meantime, I am having some issues sleeping on some nights. Specifically, I am tossing and turning so much... any time I roll over, I wake up because of the pain or stiffness. Moreover, I feel worse the next day vs. when I have a good night's sleep, I feel so much better!

Any thoughts on how to get a better night's rest? Can I take anything OTC for sleep? I don't know what would mix with the Celebrex and Plaquenil.

Thank you!
"Sleepless in New Jersey!"

Ask your doctor to perscribe something to help you sleep. I am on Plaquenil and Celebrex - and I take Ambien or Sonex (?). I take Ambien every night - it doesn't leave me feeling "hung over" in the morning. I take the other one if I wake up in the middle of the night and still need another 3-5 hours of sleep.

One of my friends that has RA, swears by her waterbed -the heater keeps her feeling comfy despite the joint pain. (I'm not a fan of them personally)

You also might have them do a sleep study on you to see if you have any other underlying sleep problems - ie restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea, which could be contributing to your problems...

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thanks for your reply!

I, too, am not a big fan of waterbeds, although I have read that they help.

It's funny, I usually have no problem falling asleep. But, I usually wake up a few times during the night, even if just for a few seconds. I can also tell sometimes in the morning that I tossed and turned a lot during the night. I really don't want to take any sleep aids, but maybe if I just used them once in a while. I just want to be able to sleep straight through the night on a regular basis! :-)

I, too, used to sleep sooooo peacefully and long (8-10 hrs). Now, I am constantly awoken by stiffness and pain and soooo restless. I feel as if I haven't had a good night's sleep in a year and probably haven't. Tylenol PM helps sometimes and I ALWAYS take a pain reliever prior to bed so I can GET OUT OF bed and function in the am. I do find that sleeping on my back (which sucks) with a pillow under my knees helps my lower half, although I still experience pain in the neck, shoulders and hands. I'm not on any rx meds yet as I recently went off Plaquenil due to no gain. So, I hope for better days ahead when all the rx stuff is tuned.

I was really aversive to taking the meds - but it does seem to help me sleep through the night. The only problem is that I'm still completely exhausted after a full night's sleep! I'm waiting for that pill! LOL

Are you doing any exercise? That is the best non-medicinal sleep aid.

(I know having RA that we often don't feel like moving, but once you get past the first hurdle, it makes a difference!)

I know - I defintely need to exercise on a more regular basis. Actually, I am starting Yoga next week (something I wanted to do before the whole RA stuff began). I have heard that yoga can improve your sleep as well. But, I am going to talk to my rheumy next week about the sleep issues too and see what he says. Actually, last night I used some OTC arthritis cream on my shoulders and that seemed to help (maybe a coincidence). I also ordered that Super Blue Stuff cream and have heard it helps with arthritis pain. I'll post my results...

May want to READ THE ARCHIVES about the SUPER BLUE STUFF...feedback about the product was pretty lousy. As far as sleep...I haven't had a full night of great sleep combined with waking refreshed/rested with/without the use of sleep aids in the last few years...anyone else? ZZZzzz. I dream/lust for it!

Hi Kibble -

I did read the archives about the Blue Stuff, but I thought it couldn't hurt to give it a try. I know some other people that swear by it!

What are you using to help you sleep? Prescription meds?

Thanks!