Comments on: Rheumatoid Arthritis Sleep Issues http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/ Bringing information & encouragement to fight RA Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:38:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ruby http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-122641 Ruby Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:56:46 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-122641 This has been one of the most difficult things to deal with! Before ra I RARELY ever had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. My family often joked that not even an earthquake would wake me up out of a deep sleep. And even though I am a totally devoted mom, my husband was always more likely to wake up with one of the kids if they got up in the middle of the night. I was always just a really heavy sleeper. Well, all that changed as I was developing RA. During the few years that i was very sick before my diagnosis I spent many, many nights awake & in tears. Pain, frustration, fear, exhaustion along with not knowing what was wrong. Lack of sleep in the beginning along with a very hectic life did me no favors. None at all. Now that my RA is so active & progressing it's harder & harder for me to sleep. But unlike the old me I have learned that pushing myself to the point of exhaustion is only going to lead to an emotional breakdown, rather than a physical breakthrough. I know that I feel worse, my pain is worse, and I have less patience with everything if I don't get enough sleep. When I am asleep its the only time that I don't feel pain. By the time I lay down at night to sleep sometimes I hurt so much that I start to cry. It's hard to fall asleep when you can't get your body into a comfortable position. What might be comfortable for the shoulder may not be comfortable for the wrist. What might be comfortable for the wrist might not be comfortable for the hand, ect ect. If I do manage to get my joints comfortable it only lasts for a short time, before they start to ache and I have to re position everything. I'd have to say going to bed is one of the most painful things I do in a day. I used to love naps. But I can't nap anymore. It's to painful. I used to love to sleep late on the weekends but once I wake up now I can't ever fall back asleep. The pain is to intense. My husband had knee surgery last week. He is also experiencing some intense pain and has been up every couple of hours every night for the past week. Kind of like having a newborn in the house, that kind of schedule. He has needed help at night so I haven't been getting much sleep. I know this is really affecting my RA. Every day I feel like I have become weaker & weaker. My pain has increased to never before levels. My morning stiffness was lasting 4 to 5 hours. After this no one will ever be able to tell me that sleep doesn't affect RA disease activity. I hope someday I will find a way to take naps again. I feel like I need one! :) This has been one of the most difficult things to deal with! Before ra I RARELY ever had trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. My family often joked that not even an earthquake would wake me up out of a deep sleep. And even though I am a totally devoted mom, my husband was always more likely to wake up with one of the kids if they got up in the middle of the night. I was always just a really heavy sleeper.
Well, all that changed as I was developing RA. During the few years that i was very sick before my diagnosis I spent many, many nights awake & in tears. Pain, frustration, fear, exhaustion along with not knowing what was wrong. Lack of sleep in the beginning along with a very hectic life did me no favors. None at all.
Now that my RA is so active & progressing it’s harder & harder for me to sleep. But unlike the old me I have learned that pushing myself to the point of exhaustion is only going to lead to an emotional breakdown, rather than a physical breakthrough. I know that I feel worse, my pain is worse, and I have less patience with everything if I don’t get enough sleep. When I am asleep its the only time that I don’t feel pain.
By the time I lay down at night to sleep sometimes I hurt so much that I start to cry. It’s hard to fall asleep when you can’t get your body into a comfortable position. What might be comfortable for the shoulder may not be comfortable for the wrist. What might be comfortable for the wrist might not be comfortable for the hand, ect ect. If I do manage to get my joints comfortable it only lasts for a short time, before they start to ache and I have to re position everything.
I’d have to say going to bed is one of the most painful things I do in a day. I used to love naps. But I can’t nap anymore. It’s to painful. I used to love to sleep late on the weekends but once I wake up now I can’t ever fall back asleep. The pain is to intense.
My husband had knee surgery last week. He is also experiencing some intense pain and has been up every couple of hours every night for the past week. Kind of like having a newborn in the house, that kind of schedule. He has needed help at night so I haven’t been getting much sleep. I know this is really affecting my RA. Every day I feel like I have become weaker & weaker. My pain has increased to never before levels. My morning stiffness was lasting 4 to 5 hours. After this no one will ever be able to tell me that sleep doesn’t affect RA disease activity.
I hope someday I will find a way to take naps again. I feel like I need one! :)

]]> By: Karen Slagle http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-100073 Karen Slagle Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:00:22 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-100073 sitting here awake at 0300...and being a registered respiratory therapist, this article is important. The study of sleeping disorders is part of my field. Since sleep apnea is literally stopping breathing when asleep. This is a pertinant subject. I do know in my case I have been an insomniac for 20 years due to pain. Ambien gives me 4 hours. I haven't slept a full 8 hours since about 1990. Not a good thing, and I want to learn new sleep hygiene techniques to help me relax....and no that term does not mean being clean in bed...LOL! sitting here awake at 0300…and being a registered respiratory therapist, this article is important. The study of sleeping disorders is part of my field. Since sleep apnea is literally stopping breathing when asleep. This is a pertinant subject. I do know in my case I have been an insomniac for 20 years due to pain. Ambien gives me 4 hours. I haven’t slept a full 8 hours since about 1990. Not a good thing, and I want to learn new sleep hygiene techniques to help me relax….and no that term does not mean being clean in bed…LOL!

]]> By: tharr http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5567 tharr Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:21:51 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-5567 Hey Kelly, just catching up here after a rough 4 days of work. I have no problem going to sleep, but I wake up several times a night and often will take up to an hour to get back to sleep. I work 12 hour days so by the time I drive home, eat, shower and unwind for 30 minutes to an hour, I typically have 8 - 8 1/2 hours to sleep. Sounds good but most nights I am actually sleeping 6 1/2 of those before going back to another 12 hour shift. By the time my 4th workday is over, I'm completely worn down and hurting. I have tried many different things without any positive results. Tylenol PM does help me sleep better, but I feel like I'm hungover for half of the next day at work. Not good for working around the machinery that I do. Hey Kelly, just catching up here after a rough 4 days of work. I have no problem going to sleep, but I wake up several times a night and often will take up to an hour to get back to sleep. I work 12 hour days so by the time I drive home, eat, shower and unwind for 30 minutes to an hour, I typically have 8 – 8 1/2 hours to sleep. Sounds good but most nights I am actually sleeping 6 1/2 of those before going back to another 12 hour shift. By the time my 4th workday is over, I’m completely worn down and hurting. I have tried many different things without any positive results. Tylenol PM does help me sleep better, but I feel like I’m hungover for half of the next day at work. Not good for working around the machinery that I do.

]]> By: Marina http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5485 Marina Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:10:25 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-5485 I am wondering if the higher incidences of heart disease may be tangentially related to lack of exercise. We can't exercise like normal people do. I have been in a flare since Thanksgiving and I am no longer able to exercise regularly. Even a simple walk has been difficult. I try to exercise during mild flares because I feel and sleep better. On days I don't exercise both my pain and sleep problems are much worse. I am wondering if the higher incidences of heart disease may be tangentially related to lack of exercise. We can’t exercise like normal people do. I have been in a flare since Thanksgiving and I am no longer able to exercise regularly. Even a simple walk has been difficult. I try to exercise during mild flares because I feel and sleep better. On days I don’t exercise both my pain and sleep problems are much worse.

]]> By: Becky http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5462 Becky Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:57:22 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-5462 Hi Kelly & Nikki, I have added an additional pillow to help raise my head. I've been feeling a little better as far as the depression goes because of the medication. I told my rheumy I would give the medication some time to work but I really don't think it will make a difference. Normally he is pretty good about not minimizing the way I'm feeling but he did this time and and really irritated me. I figure if it is still happening when I go back for my Orencia this month that I will have him do xrays. I have a friend that has degenerative bone disease in her neck and had to have a plate and cadaver bone to fuse her cervical vertebra. I had to see the complications she suffered thru & it really scares me to think about having to maybe have surgery on my neck. Thanks for the positive thoughts, it helps alot!! Hi Kelly & Nikki, I have added an additional pillow to help raise my head. I’ve been feeling a little better as far as the depression goes because of the medication. I told my rheumy I would give the medication some time to work but I really don’t think it will make a difference. Normally he is pretty good about not minimizing the way I’m feeling but he did this time and and really irritated me. I figure if it is still happening when I go back for my Orencia this month that I will have him do xrays. I have a friend that has degenerative bone disease in her neck and had to have a plate and cadaver bone to fuse her cervical vertebra. I had to see the complications she suffered thru & it really scares me to think about having to maybe have surgery on my neck. Thanks for the positive thoughts, it helps alot!!

]]> By: Taffy http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5457 Taffy Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:25:45 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-5457 Hi Kelly, That is exactly what it is, degenerating discs along with some arthritis in spine. I just thought it was weird that they say it is not related and I think it is. You are right, half the time it is Charlie Brown's parents they hear, (that gave me such a much needed laugh, thank you). The docs sometimes just brush so much off like it's nothing and that bugs me. Hope you are feeling better. Hi Kelly,
That is exactly what it is, degenerating discs along with some arthritis in spine. I just thought it was weird that they say it is not related and I think it is. You are right, half the time it is Charlie Brown’s parents they hear, (that gave me such a much needed laugh, thank you). The docs sometimes just brush so much off like it’s nothing and that bugs me. Hope you are feeling better.

]]> By: Nikki http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5451 Nikki Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:59:37 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-5451 Hi Becky, I have shoulder and neck problems and I agree with Kelly about the pillow. I have about 10 different ones for different nights, but the one that helps me the most is Buckwheat pillows. I bought 3 and made 6 out of them. Some are small and light all the way to one that is heavy and bigger. I tend to use a different one every night. I sometimes can not lift the big one because of my hands but I will get my husband to place it for me. These have made a HUGE difference for me. I had trouble finding them in stores anymore, but I did find them on line. They come really stuffed so I just bought pillow liners and made extra pillows. I also have some from Pacific Down and they also have helped on some of the nights. I also have wool pillows and they are used as well. Again you can change the density of these to your comfort level. These are also really nice for the nights when you have the low grade fevers. Hope this helps. Hi Becky,
I have shoulder and neck problems and I agree with Kelly about the pillow. I have about 10 different ones for different nights, but the one that helps me the most is Buckwheat pillows. I bought 3 and made 6 out of them. Some are small and light all the way to one that is heavy and bigger. I tend to use a different one every night. I sometimes can not lift the big one because of my hands but I will get my husband to place it for me. These have made a HUGE difference for me. I had trouble finding them in stores anymore, but I did find them on line. They come really stuffed so I just bought pillow liners and made extra pillows. I also have some from Pacific Down and they also have helped on some of the nights. I also have wool pillows and they are used as well. Again you can change the density of these to your comfort level. These are also really nice for the nights when you have the low grade fevers. Hope this helps.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5444 Kelly Young Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:16:57 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-5444 Jo, I've seen some Kiwi's on the Facebook page. & another I see often on Twitter. I'll mention you if I see them there. Jo, I’ve seen some Kiwi’s on the Facebook page. & another I see often on Twitter. I’ll mention you if I see them there.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5443 Kelly Young Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:14:24 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-5443 Dear Becky, I was pretty aggravated when I read this. If you are depressed for real, I'm sorry & I hope it passes soon. But if you have RA in your cervical spine & it causes migraines, then that's another thing. If it continues, I hope you will mention it again to your doctors. Waking up with the pain makes it sound like it could have to do with the neck. Have you tried a different pillow since this started? It just frustrates me how often docs blame RA pain on "depression." It happened to a friend of mine recently & she is not at all depressed... Dear Becky,
I was pretty aggravated when I read this. If you are depressed for real, I’m sorry & I hope it passes soon. But if you have RA in your cervical spine & it causes migraines, then that’s another thing. If it continues, I hope you will mention it again to your doctors. Waking up with the pain makes it sound like it could have to do with the neck. Have you tried a different pillow since this started?

It just frustrates me how often docs blame RA pain on “depression.” It happened to a friend of mine recently & she is not at all depressed…

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-sleep-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5441 Kelly Young Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:07:35 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=3250#comment-5441 Hi Taffy, Of course there's no way I can know since I'm not a doc & can't see your mri. I can tell you that degenerated discs & OA in spine are both more common w/RA. Also, RA can attack there on it's own. A good doc can tell the difference by mri IF it is showing up already. However, it can be just like our hands or elbows and show up on the scans long after the pain begins. I think if you were very specific in describing the symptoms, maybe a doc could distinguish between, but they hear so many complaints of pain, I think it just comes out like we are talking like Charlie Brown's parents: "Brah fwa bwa gaa ba..." Hi Taffy,
Of course there’s no way I can know since I’m not a doc & can’t see your mri. I can tell you that degenerated discs & OA in spine are both more common w/RA. Also, RA can attack there on it’s own. A good doc can tell the difference by mri IF it is showing up already. However, it can be just like our hands or elbows and show up on the scans long after the pain begins. I think if you were very specific in describing the symptoms, maybe a doc could distinguish between, but they hear so many complaints of pain, I think it just comes out like we are talking like Charlie Brown’s parents: “Brah fwa bwa gaa ba…”

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