Comments on: Tackling Rheumatoid Arthritis Sleep Problems

By: Bill Lee

Bill Lee — Tue, 11 May 2010 19:06:15 +0000

Despite Amebien and xanax at bed time, I was still in too much pain for good sleep. My doc prescribed muscle relaxers.
Too many Rx’s!

I’ve gotten some locally grown marijuana, what a positive difference! I am off all three of the drugs I mentioned. One hit before bed and I am sound asleep for at least 5 hours!

I wish it lasted longer!

By: RA SB

RA SB — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:24:46 +0000

I just had to comment about this…it was too funny. I was checking out your bonus sleep tips, and I realized, we had the EXACT same ones. I too use the featherbed, down comforter, epson salts and chamomile tea! HA!

This was a great series. Sleep is a HUGE issue for me and other RAers!!!

Good one, Kelly!!!

- RA SB

By: Lee Ann

Lee Ann — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:31:30 +0000

My favorite sleep helpers

3mg melatonin tablet
Magnesium supplement

and…if pain had gotten me super tense…my primary care doc prescribed Flexaril (a muscle relaxer). It really helps on those tough days when chronic pain has taken its toll. I have chronic bursitis in my hip so finding a way to sleep on my good side is an issue solved with a couple pillows. Nagging wrist pain is another struggle and I am open to suggestions. NSAIDs and tylenol only seem to work to a point.

Sweet dreams,
Lee Ann

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:27:22 +0000

Yes, a change of clothes set out is helpful if sweating is a problem. I have heard the night sweating blamed on mattress material or mattress age. But, I’ve also read that prednisone is too blame or hormone fluctuations such as cortisol (our natural steroid). Women are forced to blame estrogen, but that won’t fly in this case, huh?

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:14:18 +0000

No advice I slept for 24 hours and last night not at all. I have a tempurpedic which is absolutely awesome. So much so my four kids all want to jump in too.

I do have a question. I noticed someone had a change of clothes nearby. I have been sweating at night and get really hot on the side I lay down on. It is not the mattress, because I have had it for quite some time now and this is a recent occurence. Any thoughts? is it my RA?

By: ~Z~

~Z~ — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:33:51 +0000

I know my cousin did it first, but I second the motion!!

http://fromthispoint-forward.blogspot.com/2010/02/sunshine-award.html

By: Karla

Karla — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:32:02 +0000

Off topic a bit, but you RA Warriors are a little sunshine in my day. Here’s some sunshine back at you, Kelly:

http://itsybitsyspidercrochet.blogspot.com/2010/02/sunshine-award.html

By: Ina

Ina — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:14:14 +0000

I have a wonderful pillow top mattress. Earplugs help too. I find that even the smallest noise wakes me. I also have a CD that was given to me by a friend. He is a Hypnotherapist and it is a cd on pain reduction. I listen to this and it is very soothing. I still have my nights when I wake up and just can not get back to sleep, no matter what I try.

By: David

David — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:10:03 +0000

i love your site almost as much as sleep

By: davidk

davidk — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:05:00 +0000

i sleep with three pillows also body pillows are great