Sleep??

moonseed

Dear all,
Can anyone tell me if sleep problems are one of the symptoms of arthritis, either OA or RA or both.

I cannot sleep for longer than 3 to 4 hours at a time. Then I can only stay awake for 5 hours tops.

Sometimes, I don't know what day it is, I've been in and out of bed so many times during the course of the day, I don't know which way's up so to speak!

It is not pain related.

I would be grateful to hear from anyone who has any knowledge of this actually being a "symptom" or not?.

Thanks a lot.
Stephanie

bailey27

Hi
I usually have restless sleep when I am having a flare up. I'll wake up with night sweats and burning pains. I find I also get very tired as the day progresses too.

moonseed

Hello Bailey,
Thank you for answering my query about sleep.
Sorry to hear you have similar problem.
The sweats you mention that wake you, I do not have. I just wake up for no apparent reason at all.
I do however have the sweats you speak of but during the day. And yes,
I do get very very tired as the day wears on too.
If this is a "flare" that I am having, as you suggest, then it is lasting a very long time.
Do you have OA or RA if you don't mind me asking.
Steph

tkachev

I have been better painwise lately but I still have difficulty with sleeping.I manage about 5 hours a night I reckon but I suppose that is at least something.Sometimes I have woken up in pain but not always.I think my body is just used to the pattern now.
I know how you feel with being disorientated throughout the day what with lack of sleep and medication.It is really difficult to get things done.
Take care Steph
Elizabeth

bailey27

hi, I dont think I have either of those. I was told I had a seronegative spondyloaropathy with is an inaflammatory arthritis. My GP has told me they think it is AS but they are not 100% sure yet. I was only diagnosed march 09 so am still learning as I go so to speak.

moonseed wrote:

Hello Bailey,
Thank you for answering my query about sleep.
Sorry to hear you have similar problem.
The sweats you mention that wake you, I do not have. I just wake up for no apparent reason at all.
I do however have the sweats you speak of but during the day. And yes,
I do get very very tired as the day wears on too.
If this is a "flare" that I am having, as you suggest, then it is lasting a very long time.
Do you have OA or RA if you don't mind me asking.
Steph

breane

Hi,I think sleepless nights are due to arthritis. Since being diagnosed with OA and RA I never get a good nights sleep although it's mostly down to the pain.I get off to sleep Ok then wake thinking I have slept well only to look at the clock to see I've only been asleep about 10 mins or so!!Right through the night I sleep 10 mins here,20 mins there so feel very washed out the next day.I think most of us suffer with tiredness and I know some members take a mild sleeping pill to help them sleep.Perhaps those members will have more advice for you. Breane. :P

salamander

I have heard that lack of sleep is a really problem for people with RA. They say it is partially because of the inability to exercise which makes sense. I sleep well cos I take amitriptyline! 20 mgs at night and it really helps! (though was awake from 1.30 - 4.00 last night!)

moonseed

Thanks everyone,
It seems I can join your club then. At least we can all think of the others when we wake up at 3 in the morning, dying for a cup of tea but can't move to make one!!!
I'll be thinking of you.
Take it easy and keep warm,
Steph.x

bailey27

I think I have got use to not having much sleep.
I use to be quite happy to sleep in and relax now it is too painfu to stay in bed as my back and hip burns up. the only thing to relieve it is to get up and move about, make a cuppa and try to catch up on the sleep in the aftrnoon.