Trouble sleeping
Cynseel1 posted:
I have a lot of intense pain in my shoulders due to FM...I sleep better on my sides, but the pain in my shoulders when I do is intolerable! Does anyone have tips on how to sleep more comfortably on your side with this issue?
Cynseel
10 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingI have a lot of intense pain in my shoulders due to FM...I sleep better on my sides, but the pain in my shoulders when I do is intolerable! Does anyone have tips on how to sleep more comfortably on your side with this issue?
Cynseel
Dollbug responded:
Hello Cynseel and welcome....MiMi in NC...do you have a foam mattress topper? I am one of the FMers here who has been forced to sleep in a recliner...my catnapper...and I sleep on pillows as well. (no contact with my body) It took me a long time to figure out just how I could get more and better sleep...well...I ended up having *cervical (neck) surgery and also had 7 hand surgeries...plus right elbow surgery...so I ended up having to sleep in a recliner anyway...and eventually just had no choice but to sleep in it all the time...(due to back pain issues plus overall pain). I use to be a side sleeper also...which took me a while to get use to sleeping in a prone position.
I also have to take a hot shower using lavender bath salts right before bedtime...which helps my body to relax so that I can sleep better.
You might also try the Stopain Spray at night (found at walmart)...it is good stuff to use.
I am sure that you will soon find something that will help you cope better...keep reading and check out the info under *tips* and *resources*.
Take care and good luck.
MiMi
I also have to take a hot shower using lavender bath salts right before bedtime...which helps my body to relax so that I can sleep better.
You might also try the Stopain Spray at night (found at walmart)...it is good stuff to use.
I am sure that you will soon find something that will help you cope better...keep reading and check out the info under *tips* and *resources*.
Take care and good luck.
MiMi
IN GOD WE TRUST....MAY GOD BLESS AND GUIDE AMERICA....
My personal exchanges are Vitamin D and Pain and Wrath of the Dragon....if you care to visit..
My personal exchanges are Vitamin D and Pain and Wrath of the Dragon....if you care to visit..
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleeping<b>Hello Cynseel and welcome....MiMi in NC...do you have a foam mattress topper? I am one of the FMers here who has been forced to sleep in a recliner...my catnapper...and I sleep on pillows as well. (no contact with my body) It took me a long time to figure out just how I could get more and better sleep...well...I ended up having *cervical (neck) surgery and also had 7 hand surgeries...plus right elbow surgery...so I ended up having to sleep in a recliner anyway...and eventually just had no choice but to sleep in it all the time...(due to back pain issues plus overall pain). I use to be a side sleeper also...which took me a while to get use to sleeping in a prone position.</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>I also have to take a hot shower using lavender bath salts right before bedtime...which helps my body to relax so that I can sleep better. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>You might also try the Stopain Spray at night (found at walmart)...it is good stuff to use. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>I am sure that you will soon find something that will help you cope better...keep reading and check out the info under *tips* and *resources*.</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Take care and good luck.</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b></b> <br /><b>MiMi </b>
xperky responded:
Cynseel1, I'm a side sleeper too, and my shoulders can complain. I've found it best to have a rather firm or overstuffed pillow and to pull it down against my shoulders. That way my head is straighter in line with my spine and raised enough to take weight off the lower shoulder. Make any sense?
Some nights I'm simply better off on my back though. I just can't seem to fall asleep on my back, even though I usually wake up on my back, LOL. Now, if I could just figure out how to take pressure off my hips, knees and feet too...
Some nights I'm simply better off on my back though. I just can't seem to fall asleep on my back, even though I usually wake up on my back, LOL. Now, if I could just figure out how to take pressure off my hips, knees and feet too...
With Compassion,
Margaret
Margaret
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingCynseel1, I'm a side sleeper too, and my shoulders can complain. I've found it best to have a rather firm or overstuffed pillow and to pull it down against my shoulders. That way my head is straighter in line with my spine and raised enough to take weight off the lower shoulder. Make any sense? <br /> <br />Some nights I'm simply better off on my back though. I just can't seem to fall asleep on my back, even though I usually wake up on my back, LOL. Now, if I could just figure out how to take pressure off my hips, knees and feet too...
Thanks MiMi for all of your suggestions. I'm sorry to hear of all of the afflictions you've had to endure over the years.
Compassionately,
Cyndi
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingThanks MiMi for all of your suggestions. I'm sorry to hear of all of the afflictions you've had to endure over the years.
Compassionately,
Cyndi
Dear Margaret;
Your suggestion sounds like it's worth a try 
I've spent hundreds of dollars on "neck" pillows and now it's my shoulders that hurt more.
Have you tried placing a pillow under your knees/calves when you sleep on your back? I also use a "knee" pillow between my knees when I sleep on my side, that helps my lower back.
Cyndi
I've spent hundreds of dollars on "neck" pillows and now it's my shoulders that hurt more.
Have you tried placing a pillow under your knees/calves when you sleep on your back? I also use a "knee" pillow between my knees when I sleep on my side, that helps my lower back.
Cyndi Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingDear Margaret;
Your suggestion sounds like it's worth a try <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
I've spent hundreds of dollars on "neck" pillows and now it's my shoulders that hurt more.
Have you tried placing a pillow under your knees/calves when you sleep on your back? I also use a "knee" pillow between my knees when I sleep on my side, that helps my lower back.
Cyndi <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
fibroinsd responded:
I take Flexeril to help me sleep...and often tylenol..I use to take Etodolac ..which is like a heavy tylenol, I guess...but since I have run out of that..I just do the tylenol...and I still have a very stiff neck all the time...wish I could do something about it..but at least this helps.
cece
cece
Let's put the fun back in dysfunctional !- Mary Englebright
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingI take Flexeril to help me sleep...and often tylenol..I use to take Etodolac ..which is like a heavy tylenol, I guess...but since I have run out of that..I just do the tylenol...and I still have a very stiff neck all the time...wish I could do something about it..but at least this helps.<br /><br />cece
I'm trying to learn to sleep on my back too because of shoulder and hip pain from lying too long (30 mins.)on one side. Old habits die hard especially when you're asleep and don't know what you're doing, lol.
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingI'm trying to learn to sleep on my back too because of shoulder and hip pain from lying too long (30 mins.)on one side. Old habits die hard especially when you're asleep and don't know what you're doing, lol.
Hi Cece,
I have had a stiff neck for so many years and thought it was due to bad pillows ! I've been taking Tylenol some nights and that's what my Doc recommended too. I still find Zanax helps me to fall asleep and stay asleep or at least be able to fall back asleep after trips to the bathroom:(
Thanks for your input:)
Cyndi
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingHi Cece,
I have had a stiff neck for so many years and thought it was due to bad pillows ! I've been taking Tylenol some nights and that's what my Doc recommended too. I still find Zanax helps me to fall asleep and stay asleep or at least be able to fall back asleep after trips to the bathroom:(
Thanks for your input:)
Cyndi
Hi Agrapina:)
Do you know anyone who uses those sleep number beds? Or have you tried a foam mattress topper like MiMi suggested? Just curious...
Cyndi
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingHi Agrapina:)
Do you know anyone who uses those sleep number beds? Or have you tried a foam mattress topper like MiMi suggested? Just curious...
Cyndi
Cynseel1 and all,
The day I was approved for Social Security Disability Insurance I went in and bought Serta's version of a "Sleep Number" bed. It doesn't have a display telling you what your settings are. It also costs about one quarter of what the "real" "Sleep Number" bed costs. That was 13 years ago. My bed is still going strong. The bed is still the only place where my back and neck don't hurt.
Be sure to try the bed out in the showroom. Try to get a 30-day free home trial. While you're in the store, check out the memory foam styles, too. Just be sure that you choose a bed you can really sleep on.
Are there still nights when I cannot sleep? Of course! Would I buy my bed all over again? Of course!
Getting SOME sleep almost every night is wonderful.
BetteK
The day I was approved for Social Security Disability Insurance I went in and bought Serta's version of a "Sleep Number" bed. It doesn't have a display telling you what your settings are. It also costs about one quarter of what the "real" "Sleep Number" bed costs. That was 13 years ago. My bed is still going strong. The bed is still the only place where my back and neck don't hurt.
Be sure to try the bed out in the showroom. Try to get a 30-day free home trial. While you're in the store, check out the memory foam styles, too. Just be sure that you choose a bed you can really sleep on.
Are there still nights when I cannot sleep? Of course! Would I buy my bed all over again? Of course!
Getting SOME sleep almost every night is wonderful.
BetteK
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingCynseel1 and all, <br /> <br />The day I was approved for Social Security Disability Insurance I went in and bought Serta's version of a "Sleep Number" bed. It doesn't have a display telling you what your settings are. It also costs about one quarter of what the "real" "Sleep Number" bed costs. That was 13 years ago. My bed is still going strong. The bed is still the only place where my back and neck don't hurt.<br /> <br />Be sure to try the bed out in the showroom. Try to get a 30-day free home trial. While you're in the store, check out the memory foam styles, too. Just be sure that you choose a bed you can really sleep on.<br /> <br />Are there still nights when I cannot sleep? Of course! Would I buy my bed all over again? Of course!<br /> <br />Getting SOME sleep almost every night is wonderful.<br /> <br />BetteK
Yes Cyndi, my collection of pillows is vast...LOL. Thanks, and good luck pillow shopping!
With Compassion,
Margaret
Margaret
Report This| Share this:Trouble sleepingYes Cyndi, my collection of pillows is vast...LOL. Thanks, and good luck pillow shopping!
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