Comments on: Tackling Rheumatoid Arthritis Sleep Problems

By: Cecilia

Cecilia — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:34:31 +0000

simmons beauty rest with an featherbed topping and thick mattress pads. feather pillows that i position around to sore joints. sleep with a mask to darken all of the leds and misc lights – saves money and tme fooling with those details! lightweight covers so the blankets don’t sit heavy on the joints – goodby wool blankets. i have cotton or feather comforters and lightweight fleece for additional warmth.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:42:14 +0000

Hopefully it will not become a regular thing! If it continues, I guess you can ask your doc about whether a muscle relaxer for those emergencies would be a good idea. I have avoided them (for my back) due to sleepiness but recently the PA said, “If you are in bed anyway, you might as well…” convincing me to keep them for just in case.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:16:34 +0000

Hi Kelly, Thanks for this Article. It was very timely for me. I was awaken last night with horrible muscle and joint pain in my arms. This is not common for me, but it took over 2 hours for me to get back to sleep, so appreciate the times on getting back to sleep.

By: Wendy Romano

Wendy Romano — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:54:18 +0000

I think I have tried just about everything to improve the quality and quantity of my sleep. Here is my latest find, which is helping with my current hot spots-ankle hip and lower back (the perennial favorites!) I have recently aquired one of those body size pillows i used when i was pregnant. If I lay on my side next to it and drape my arm and leg over it, i can releave the stress on the shoulder, hip and lower back that come from side sleeping. Get’s watrm though, so i often throw off the covers, but will be even nicer come chilly winter nights! My husband even prefers this to what he used to refer to as my ‘pillow fort’.

By: Connie Fullerton

Connie Fullerton — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:53:48 +0000

Water bed has made a huge diffrence!!! I highly suggest this….

By: Connie Fullerton

Connie Fullerton — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:48:46 +0000

Sleep is one of my number one priorities. I try to get at least 8 hours/per night. Med wise – I have managed to work myself down to just a couple rx’s..I am “currently” blessed that way. However, I have not been able to step away from LYRICA at bedtime. I truly am so uncomfortable without it that i don’t sleep and feel sick all night – all over. I have a hard time explaining the nerve pain that hits me to others…”The worst body ache flu you have ever had?? Along with ithcing and not being able to think clearly…” Anyhoo, as long as I have my Lyrica…and I take one Valerian and one Passion Flower…I sleep pretty well. I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea…however, it wasn’t linked to my RA at the time. Interesting article you had on the connection. thank you.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 12:37:11 +0000

thanks, Nicki.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 04:04:59 +0000

As somebody with arthritis and inflammation (exact kind unknown)… and sleep apnea… check out padacheeks for your mask/strap marks.

By: Judy

Judy — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 06:59:59 +0000

Thanks for the comment, Kelly. It’s hard for me to believe that you take the time to read all the responses. I am soo soooooo glad I’ve found you. I tear up when I write that: I have felt so in-valid and old and useless and guilty and alone that it’s good to find people who are getting a grip and doing what they can, and not dwelling on what they can’t. But first we have to admit what we can’t do and then search for what we can. When I was younger, I taught myself to sew and knit. Now, I have an embroidery machine and have been knitting things to give away and to sell. I get a great deal of pleasure out of being able to be creative again…for however long I can be. (my hands seem to be getting worse since I had to switch from NSAIDs to prednisone (in addition to the plaquenil, tramadol, zanaflex and elavil I take for my RA and fibro…oy…)
Anyway, I have loved reading your old blogs and trying to “catch up.” When I pray, you will be in my prayers.
Thanks again,
Judy

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 22:14:20 +0000

excellent list, Judy.