sleep and fybro - Fibromyalgia Message Board

kia · 06-21-2001, 11:01 PM

Hello does anyone have any suggestions on how to actually sleep for a full night? I am taking flexeril 10 mgs and 600 mgs of motrin before going to bed and I still wake up and it hurts to move especially in my lower back ad hips. I have tried just about everything. does anyone know if maybe a water bed would help? I am desperate I need to sleep I am exausted! also is taking guaif. help you to sleep better I am willing to try anything. Thank you!

[This message has been edited by kia (edited 06-22-2001).]

Mamanell · 06-22-2001, 12:43 PM

Hi Kia and welcome!

It has been my experience that you may have to just keep trying different remedies until you find something that works for you.

A lot of people use Amitriptyline (Elavil) which is an anti-depressant but used at a low dosage helps with sleep and pain. It didn't work for me. Ambien is also good but still didn't do enough for me. I now just rely on my Xanax and Cal-Max which is a supplement of Calciu, Magnesium and Vitamin C. I still wake up most nights though, but I feel like the time I am alseep is good sleep if you know what I mean. I also tried Tranzadone, but man I couldn't even get awake the next do and I have way too much to do to feel that way.

Talk to your doctor and ask him to prescribe something. If it doesn't work, ask for something else. You just gotta keep trying until you find something that works for YOU.

Good luck.

Chin up! (May not help you sleep, but it'll make you feel better).

Nell

robste · 06-23-2001, 04:15 PM

Kia, I don't think a waterbed would be good for you; it doesn't provide your back with any support...stick to a good, comfortable, firm mattress...get one of those "egg crate" foam things (I don't know what they're called) to put on top of the mattress, they provide extra cushioning and comfort.

As for medications, Elavil didn't work for me either...I'm now on Effexor XR, which seems to be working for me. You often have to just keep trying different medications that your dr. prescribes...different people react differently to the same meds. Good luck!

06-23-2001, 05:58 PM

Hi guys, a firm mattress almost killed me. I replace mine with a semi-firm one. I had to have enough "give" to conform to my hip and waist or my hip would kill me during the night. Other than that, I have gotten relief with Elavil in the past but nothing has helped much with my sleep over the past 5 years. Of course, I did have an underlying medical problem and recently had surgery.I'm very curious to see if my sleep improves over time, right now I'm waking up frequently from the surgical pain so its hard to tell.

beaner · 06-24-2001, 02:36 PM

I've found that many of the natural sleep aids work really well - Valerian and melatonin work best for me. You have to play with dosage to get enough to help sleep without enhancinbg the fibro fog. Ihave found however that I like these better than antidepressants. But, as always , you have toi find what works for you. The nice thing is that these are readily available in many forms from most health food stores and many grocery stores. Good luck!

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Keep on keeping on!!
beaner