What helps you get to sleep and get enough sleep to function the next day?
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Hello Jenny,
That is the million dollar question! As there is a school of thought that better sleep would alleviate our symptoms tremendously, I am sure there are many who would like to know the answer to that, (me included). As you may have guessed, I donāt have the answer. I try to have a good bedtime routine, milky drink, no screens, read a book, and then Mindfulness relaxation tape. Despite this I still wake up tired the next day! Ideas, anyone?
Take care, Anne
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@AnneV, are you able to sleep through the night? How far in advance of bed do you start your routine?
Anyone else? I struggle between falling asleep and staying asleep no matter what I do. And Iām always tired the next day. Iāve got perma-bags under my eyes!
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Hello Jenny,
It is always a bit hit and miss, whether I sleep right through. I donāt work anymore ( thanks Fibro), so I go to bed late and get up late. If I do wake I can usually drift off again. I think this may be due to the meds I take for anxiety and depression, they calm me. I take the tablet at 8 and switch every thing off about 11, turn on my relaxation tape at 12. That usually sends me off. I think it is all trial and error, what suits you; if you have to get up earlier you would need to start it all a lot earlier. Might be worth a visit to Docs to get meds that will relax you. Good luck
Anne
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At 7P I take 2 75mg Amyitriptyline, 2 50mg Savella, 1-2 0.5mg Clonazepam & if I am still in pain, 1 50mg Lyrica. I consume nothing that contains caffeine After 12N (chocolate is the exception). I usually fall asleep @10P & sleep from 8 to 10H. The Amy. & Clon. make me fall asleep & the Sav. keeps me asleep. M
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The worst is when I have what I call a āprincess and the peaā night; where every little wrinkle, bit, or whatever, feels like huge, painful lumps embedding themselves in my flesh. This is usually accompanied by an inability to find the lowest-pain (forget ācomfortableā!) position in order to try and rest. These nights, I donāt get rest. This is one of the many reasons I havenāt been able to work in about 10 months.
The first thing I do is try to forgive and let go of frustration at what my body has done. I give myself up to naps, and try to have some coffee. If I have it, I have a marijuana edible (25g to start, 50g limit for the day). If I donāt, I take tylenol like candy (lessening the pain helps), make sure I eat and keep hydrated, and rest as best I can. I take solace in the fact that it will be over soon, and I can go back to sleeping like I usually do - in 2 solid 3-4 hr blocks. 
I have been thinking about trying sleeping pills, saving them for when my sleep cycle is completely non-existent; just as sort of a āresetā for myself. But, I am not familiar with how they are used.
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I am new here, too, and new to diagnosis (Jan 20th) but not new to symptoms (>45 years). I am so relieved that I finally have a diagnosis, that I slid right past angry and into education.
I had 2 sleep problems: getting to sleep in the first place because there was no way to be comfortable, and staying asleep, because I was waking up every hour to shift in the bed to find another comfortable position.
I had a great tip from my massage therapist that I would like to share to you: a Sunbeam heated mattress pad (as in, full length heating pad under the bottom sheet). I bought (Sunbeam online, $49.49 with free shipping) twin size as my husband did not want heat on his side of the bed, and simply laid it out over the regular mattress pad and under the bottom sheet. āPreheatā when I go to have my bath, and then āLowā when I come to bed and all night long.
Best sleep I have had in over a year. Amazing. 2 good nights in a row made a huge difference and I hope it continues. Iām even thinking better today, I guess because I am catching up on my rest.
Best of luck to all and hoping this idea helps someone else! 