Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group sleeping

Hi all

I am finding that a good sleep is impossible now.
Some nights the pain in my hips has reduced me to tears.Now it shoots down my leg also and is very severe. Sometimes when I try to turn over - my lower back feels as if it might break in half. It is worse at night than during the day. I used to get relief by laying on my stomach. The ladies probably know that this makes the face wrinkles rapidly increase !!! Not only that but it dosn't help with the pain anymore. Some nights there just is no escaping it. I long to lay down at night but then the dread sets in.
What I'm wondering is what do the rest of you do ?
Any suggestions.? Please ?

Thanks

Maggie

Maggie, "I feel your pain...."

If I don't do something to kill the pain when I'm flaring, I wake up at all hours plastered to the bed, not able to roll over, and not able to take full breaths.....scary....at least I know it's AS and not a heart attack (knock on wood)...

If I'm in pain before bed....I will take 3-4 ibuprophens....although I've eaten them like candy for years, and am worried about gastro bleeding...then, I'll keep the bottle by the bed, as I can wake up at 4-5am and it's worn off....so I pop a couple and try to get comfy...then of course at 6:30am the alarm sounds and I'm slamming my hand on the snooze button, as now I'm comfortably numb and don't want to get out of bed....oy....

But when I'm really good with the NSD diet I can wake up and feel only stiff, but with no intense pain....the problem is I fall off the wagon, and then must chow down on some pills if I'm to wake up and be mobile....

I have a heating pad....but in this summer heat??? No WAY, Jose....

I figure, if I need to be up and active for work due to meetings or whatever, I'll do what it takes to sleep the night before, otherwise I don't take the pills....

Peace, hang in there!!
Linc

Linc O'Brien

Maggie -

I have found something that works for me. Thermacare makes these heating pads that last 8 hours, but are not electric. I don't know if you have seen them or not, but if I am having a bad episode I put one small one on each hip. They have adheasive so they don't slip during the night. It can get a little hot, but the relief for me was worth it. I keep them handy and put them on when I need to. Maybe this will help for you too.

Take Care.

Allison

Hi Linc

The heating pad sounds good although as you say - not in this heat. I can't really take the Ibuprofen because I allready take Viox so as far as meds go, sooner or later I'll have to go back to the dr. ( I seem to have said that too often before and havn't gone yet ) Somehow the advice recieved here is more comforting than any given by the dr.
( except Jeanna of course - are you listening Jeanna ? )
When the weather cools down I'll give the heating pad a try.

Thanks dude ( how's that )

Maggie

Hi Allison

They sound really great. Must be something like those pouches you can put in your boots or mittens in the cold weather up here - they really work too. I'll scout around for them.Gee - to stay in bed for 8 hours would be like a dream come true !! Now I can't wait for the cooler nights.

Thanks again

Maggie

Hey!
Watch the Vioxx, it helped my pain big time, but raised my liver enzymes....when I stopped the rheumy said things were normal...plus it's now shown that Vioxx and Celebrex do not give the stomach protection that their ad campaigns claimed...

but then Advil can cause bleeding, so it's a choice between possible side effects and sleeping through the night....good god....

Peace Out
Linc

Linc O'Brien

Hi Maggie,

You could just do like I do and don't go to bed I hear ya on the pain trying to sleep. Most nights I just stay up as long as possible, knowing that the nights are going to be unbareable. When I finally go to sleep I am so exhausted that the pain doesn't wake me as often. .... dumb theory huh? lol I wish I could give you better advice. I just hope some good nights of sleep for you soon.

Take care,

Pam

"Just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides. Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise." Maya Angelou

I hear you Pam !!

That is what I do. Here I am still up and I have to get up for work at 7 am.
I'm going off now to give it "the old college try".
Thanks for keeping me company

Maggie

Laying on stomach make face wrinkles? Oh my this is not a good news .

I'm not laying on stomach too much though but I try to sleep without pillow to help my back straight, well ...... talking about having a good posture .

Sorry to hear your sleeping problem, instead of get some pills, can you try some other choice like vitamins or health food, I believe they have something out there to help you zzzzzzzzzzzzz more naturally and reduce the pain.

Take care,
Sinta

Linc,

I read some reader's opinion in New York Times about "you are NY'ers when ......", it's quite funny and make me more understand NY'ers (I think?).

Since you are NY'ers, this article remind me of you.

Hugs,
Sinta