SLEEP STUDY - Fibromyalgia Message Board

badgirl · 01-13-2003, 04:16 PM

Has anyone who has fibromyalgia had a sleep study performed? I seem to stay in a REM sleep and I have fibromyalgia. The dream state is killing me. Does a sleep study help determine anything? If you have these dreams, what helps you? Thanks, badgirl

Sweet Pea · 01-13-2003, 04:31 PM

You wouldn't believe the dreaming I do. Especially when the TV is on. I am taking Ambian. It works well. Before I started, I had deadbolts put on my doors and made sure my fire alarm batteries were fresh. My husband can sleep through anything. I feel like my nights are a dead zone now. I worry something will happen and I won't be awake enough for it. Maybe that's why I can't sleep?????

Anonymity · 01-14-2003, 01:05 PM

Do the sleep study!!

My fatigue was horrible, and I felt unrested every day when I awoke. My rheumatologist referred me to a sleep clinic, and I went through the sleep study.

Lo and behold, I have Restless Legs Syndrome. My leg jerks were waking me up 28 times an hour, and I had no idea!! My sleep cycles were out of whack, and I was seriously sleep-deprived.

Now that I've gotten my RLS pretty much under control, my fatigue is much better, and I feel rested when I wake up. I still have fibromyalgia, of course, but I feel SO much better, and my pain has significantly decreased!!

It is very common for those with fibromyalgia to have a sleep disorder as well, so I would highly encourage you (all of you!) to have a sleep study done. It can make a world of difference in your fibromyalgia pain! You could have a disorder that's contributing to your fibromyalgia fatigue and pain and not even know it!! Besides, the study doesn't hurt, it (usually) only takes one night, and insurance often covers it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Let me know if either of you decide to do it!

I'd say you're both good candidates for a study.

P.S. I have weird dreams too, but every doctor I've talked to (and there's been a lot) says it could be so many things. It could be diet, anxiety, exhaustian, medicine, fibromyalgia, etc, etc. I hope you can figure out the cause of yours, though. Maybe you can experiment with your daily routine (what you eat, when you eat, when you sleep, what vitamins you take, etc.) and journal how any changes affect your sleep? Good luck!

Also, are you supposed to take the Ambien long-term? Be careful with that stuff; I'm told it can mess with your sleep cycles, too. If you're not under a physician's guidance regarding the Ambien, I'd suggest that you at least mention it to your family doctor.

[This message has been edited by Anonymity (edited 01-14-2003).]

Sweet Pea · 01-14-2003, 05:27 PM

I've been on the Ambian a month now. It was prescribed by a pain clinic. I'm not near as exhausted as I was. I get a good deep sleep. Can not take Zanaflex with it because it counters the Ambian and I wake up after 2 hours. Another thing I use is a fan. If it is too quiet, I can't sleep. The steady noise seems to help. Didn't get my prescription called in early enough yesterday and was up most of the night last night. Thank goodness I'm a Harlequin junkie.

I'm not sure of the definition of RLS. I do know my legs jump when I go to bed. At first I thought my husband was wiggling his leg. Then I realized it was just me and strange feelings.

hb2002 · 01-15-2003, 07:28 PM

I'm actually part of a different forum but clicked on this one in error. But I can answer this question for you so I thought I'd put in my 2 cents worth. I have had Fibromyaligia since 1982 (when it used to by called Fibrositis). I went to a sleep disorder clinic in 1984 and it was the smartest move I've ever made. The diagnosed it as Fibro. The doctor then prescibed an anti-depressant. I was shocked and said "hey, I'm not depressed. I'm in pain!" He explained that the Fibro is caused by a sleep disorder which is in turn caused by a problem with the central nervous system. He said the Anti-Depressant works on the central nervous system problem which causes the sleep disorder. I went on it and within two weeks the pain was probably 80% better. I still had some muscle pain around my spine but since 1990 I have pain free. If I forget to take my pills, I wake up in the morning feeling like I haven't sleep and have some pain. As long as I take the pills, I'm in great shape. The sleep disorder clinic said that because I would wake up so frequently (90 times in the 6 hours I slept at the clinic), that my muscles never got to relax by taking advantage of the REM sleep. I was surprised I was up 90 times and said I don't remember even waking up once. He said that you don't wake up enough to remember it, just enough to disrupt your sleep. I guess he was right since I has obviously been working for me for many, many years. I hope this help.