Coming out of a flare? How does it feel? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

SomewhereInIdaho · 06-10-2003, 11:02 AM

I have been in a severe flare for the past six weeks and I went to see a doctor who specializes in fibro and he put me on a sleep program, well I have been working the program that he suggested and it has helped but I notice that I'am having good and bad days now and I was wondering if that is how it feels when you are coming out of a flare? Do you slowly come out of a flare...like a gradual lifting of the pain and mood?? I find that there is now a huge correlation between the quality of sleep I get and how I feel the next day.
Thankyou for your help.
Jodi

Creeping Crud · 06-10-2003, 01:59 PM

Hey Jodi,

I find it truly amazing that for all the flares that have come and gone during my life, I can't define what coming out of one is like.. Basically I just start feeling better, but I agree that there definitely is a huge correlation between flares and sleep..

I find that when I'm in a flare, all I want to do is sleep.. When they happen, I get at least 8-9 hours of sleep at night and I can take an afternoon nap that lasts anywhere from 2-3 hours and still want to sleep more.. I remain thoroughly exhausted no matter how much sleep I manage to get.. When I start feeling better, I don't need as much sleep at night and I don't take naps during the day..

Having good days and bad days is pretty much normal for me, so that would signal coming out of a flare in my world.. Of course, there are times that I have a week or so of good days, but having a week or two of bad days seems to be more par for the course..

Just out of curiosity, what kind of sleep program did he put you on? I can't say that I've ever heard of that concept before..

Take Care,
Melanie

SomewhereInIdaho · 06-10-2003, 02:07 PM

HI. thankyou for replying

I have a regular bedtime (which you can choose) and a regular wake up time (which is no more than 9 hours of sleep), you can stay up late 1 night per week but have to get up at the regular wake up time. (mine are 11 o'clock bedtime and 8 o'clock am for wake up time). Also 1 hour before bed you have a quiet hour, no TV (not even within earshot), not computers or any type of electronics...you can read, do a light craft, anything that is easy and non-stimulating (except sex, it is all right

. I have been doing this for 5 days and the change is amazing, except today, I didn't sleep well last night and I'am so foggy today

Hope this helps

Jodi

Creeping Crud · 06-10-2003, 03:36 PM

Hi again Jodi,

Sounds like an interesting enough concept.. That's extremely close to what I do when I'm not in the midst a flare (but it doesn't seem to prevent them).. When I am having a flare, it doesn't seem to matter whether or not I take a nap (since I adhere to the same bedtime and wake up time all the time) because all of the sleep that I get seems to be of the lousy variety..

I guess it's just easier to for me to take a nap when I'm feeling especially bad rather than stay awake - I feel no pain when I sleep.. Plus, I've gotten in the habit of listening to my body.. If I listen to it and give it what it wants, it usually starts behaving again..

Are you supposed to stay in bed even if you can't fall asleep at your preset bedtime? Has he given you any sleeping medications or does he just think that your natural body rhythms are supposed to take over? I just wonder if it will work for you in the long run or whether your body will develop an agenda of its own (like my body apparently has).. You'll have to keep me posted!

And hopefully, you'll sleep better tonight..

Take Care,
Melanie

la_brat · 06-17-2003, 08:45 PM

We have two daughters, both with FMS. One has an established bed time the other does not. The sleep pattern difference does not seem to have any thing to do with their symptoms. They both have better days and worse days with no correlation to the difference in the sleep pattern. Have you had a sleep study done to see if you have Restless Leg Syndrome or any other sleep disturbances that can be discovered with a study?

Our youngest daughter had no luck with anything that was to control her sleep. She had a sleep study. The results of the study said she was normal. The doctor quit trying to control her sleep and went on to other things.

[This message has been edited by la_brat (edited 06-17-2003).]