I only have sleep problems when I'm in extreme pain. I was fortunate that my fibro was diagnosed before I developed any symptoms. I was seeing a auto-immune specialist for my RSD and she did a full blood scan and physical exam. She was able to give me some guild lines to help keep much of the problems at bay for almost 20 years, only recently have I started developing a wide spectrum of the problems of fibro
I was diagnosed in February of this year. I am, for the most part, able to sleep. Almost too much. But, about once a month, I can't sleep for about a week at a time. Overall though, I require much more sleep with Fibro then I ever did before.
I know this is an older post, but I had the same question. Unless I’m hurting extremely bad, I can fall asleep very fast and sleep until my baby wakes me up. I’m exhausted at the end of the day so I’m out in no time. But for the longest time I thought that even though I was diagnosed with it, I thought I couldn’t have had it because I don’t have problems sleeping that much. That and everyone telling me it’s in my head. Lol
Am I the only person that is awake 24 hours a day? I maybe get 2 hours of sleep and that is it. Some times a hot bath helps but I am not taking pills. I have tried Ambien and it did not work. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Hi SheilaErin,
No I have a lot of trouble with sleep. When I was younger it was even worse than now. Ambien is actually a bad idea it's a hallucinogenic , it works for some not many and it can cause nightmares. I would suggest skipping your Primary Care doc. Talk to your Neurologist. Mine prescribed a very low dose of Valium. It relaxes the muscles therefore helps you sleep. Also they might want to do a sleep study to make sure you don't have sleep apnea. If you do it's possible you aren't sleeping because you can't breathe well. Sadly there are far too many reasons that people with fibro don't sleep. It's a lot of trial and error for the most part to find an answer. Generally your Primary isn't up to the task. You could also ask to be referred to a sleep specialist. I'm sorry there isn't any one answer. It's so frustrating when you can't sleep. It took me years and it isn't an always thing even now. I hope that helps a little , have a comfortable day. Kathy.
Jess,
Actually there are times I can't do anything other than sleep. You may have chronic fatigue which isn't unusual with fibro . Especially if you have a baby you are drained physically and mentally. Your body isn't going to allow you to stay awake given the chance to sleep. There is no one set of symptom with this disease . If someone is telling you it's not real they are just being ...turkeys. I love that ' are you sure that's what you're feeling' crap. No I made it up for fun when I leave here I'm going to run a marathon. Sorry ranting. The answer is no you aren't alone in that. Many people with fibro sleep just fine. For that matter some sleep too much. One of my friends with the disease has trouble staying awake for long periods of time. It's all relative. I hope that's some help. Be blessed enjoy your little one today. Kathy.
Thanks Kathy. I was on xanax for 15 years and got taken off of it in March, so I am not allowed to take any benzo's. I'll definitely check with a sleep specialist. I do smoke and may not be breathing well like you said. I started chain smoking after they took me off of xanax. It is, unfortunately, the only thing that calms me down. But I will def check with a sleep specialist as all other area's have been exhausted. Thanks, SheilaErin
So true! I sleep way too much, but still feel tired all the time. Last night I slept 11 1/2 hours and woke up feeling exhausted!
Pookie said:
Hi booklass,
Maybe the question to ask you is even though you're "out like a light", how do you feel in the morning? Do you feel refreshed and alert? Often the problems people have relating to sleep are all those mentioned above; difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, months of insomnia etc but I can have night when I go out like a light but still feel completely un refreshed, mind numbingly tired and its an effort to do anything so its not so much the actual action of sleeping but if you feel refreshed afterwards as one of the symptoms of Fibro is un refreshing sleep.