Night pain and not sleeping help!

PenJ

Hi all,

I'm hoping for some advice. Im still new to my RA only 8 months in.

About 4 weeks ago I had a flare of my RA and began getting terrible pain in my original problem knee but only at night. Waking me up 3-4 times each night.
Did my usual and probably silly thing of just doing nothing and hoping it would go. Then in desparation for sleep I took cocodamol for night, no help just got constipated. Then tried some tramadol, no help with the pain just made me hallucinate and sleep worse, so went back to nothing but paracetamol.
The last week the pain eased down but I still keep waking up 2-3 times a night! Help!! I need sleep!

Does anybody else experience poor sleep in flare ups? Or do you think I might still be in pain and waking up?

Does anybody else just get pain just at night? Is there anything I can take?

Any tips on sleeping well would be greatly recieved, I'm shattered with my 2 under 5s and part time job. Husband is doing what he can but just need to sleep!

Thank you everyone x x x

frogmella

Hi,

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time sleeping. I have had lots of spinal problems and found that the only way to sleep through the worst pain was valium. Since then I did have amitriptyline for a while to treat my nerve pain and I slept like a log. It might be that you need to ask your GP for something short term to help you sleep.

I know it is awful when you can't sleep, everything seems worse alone at night and then you are shattered the next day to boot. I hope that you can get some help soon.

Helen x

barbara12

Hi Penj
I have OA not RA, but pain is pain, and yes I get a lot at night or used to till the pain clinic gave me amytriptaline sorry I can never spell it, you take it a few hours before bed,it was originally for depression but it was
in much larger doses.
When you first take it it leaves you a bit groggy in the mornings but with me this only lasted a few days
I do hope you get some relief very soon,sleep is so important has you know.
Hope this helps x

hileena111

Hi
I'm sorry and can sympthise.
I couldnt sleep after my THR {6 weeks on my bak} then when I could lie on my sie the pain {no matter which side I was on} was bad. We tried everything and I was waking about 3 to 4 times a night.
Now the pain has gone at night but I'm still not sleepingithrough the night.
Waking about twice {if I'm lucky}
I'm sorry I dont know what the answer is....Check with your GP again. {Got OA by the way}
Love
Hileena

wall1409

I too struggle with sleep due to pain they gave me amitriptyline and it made me too groggy for work so I now take another one cant remember name but it acts as a sedative and thats what you probably need right now. Hope you feel better soon xx

constable

Hi Penj

I would get yourself to the doctors. I take Nortryptilyn (cant spell it). I think loads of people on here take something or other to help with the night times. You make sure you get that appointment and get some sleep back.

Karen xx

bubbadog

Hi PenJ, I'm suffering with a flare up at the moment, It's effecting my left side. And at night time I'm taking as late as possible 10mls of Oro-morph (which is my extra helping hand med) I also read when I can't sleep which helps as it tires your eyes and makes me rest better. Even if I can't have a full nights sleep just resting with your eyes closed is something! Hope you find your best of pain relief and a way to rest if not full sleep.

dreamdaisy

Pain disrupts all areas of our lives, sleep included. I wake about every 90 minutes or so and even when I am asleep it is not particularly restful, let alone restorative. What sleeping position do you like? I'm a side-sleeper, on my right preferably, and I put a pillow between my knees to stop them pressing too hard on each other, and to keep my top hip raised a little. I position it lengthways so it also cushions my ankles. I have thought about the sleep-aiding meds but I think I'm on enough stuff one way and another and don't really want to add something else into the mix. Pain does seem more acute at night because the world is quieter but after fourteen or so years of disrupted sleep I'm used to it. I sleep better when flaring as the tiredness is so much more draining than the usual sort. Try the pillow thing - it may help. DD

deedeeitsme

Hi There....sorry to hear you're not sleeping too well at the moment. I take amitriptyline too and it does help me relax at night but must admit that I do wake most nights, 2-3 times a night, with pain and have to change position or simply get up. My feet are the problem at the moment (they don't stop moving) but I think this is neuralogical, waiting for an appointment to see a neurologist. I think this is just another one of those things that we have to learn to cope with when we have these bloomin diseases I'm afraid,

Hope you have managed to at least get a reasonable nights sleep, take care. Dee x

lazicat

Ive now got a memory foam mattress , pillows & also use a pillow between my knees. Ive found its made a big difference to me , as well as taking my daily meds (OA). I still wake at night & have to move , but getting back to sleep is much more comfortable as bed is much more comfortable for me now. My problem is also hot flushes now - something I could do without !

PenJ

Thank you all so much for the advice and tips.

Have managed to get myself a doctors appointment to see what they say. I know what you mean about taking so many meds, I take about 85 a week, adding more to my cocktail seems a big hmmmmm?! But on the other hand I do need sleep.

Will keep you all posted

Thank you again

Penny x

frogmorton

HI Pen

I too take amitriptyline and it really helps.

Like Barbara I initally felt very dopey, but that passed very quickly and I learnt to take them early evening as they don't 'knock you out' straight away. About 7/8pm.

Sleep is necessary to get you through the day l think

love

Toni xx

Loulou11

Hi pen I take severdol ( morphine sulphate) that seems to work, and if I'm really rough leave that out and use temazapan or diazepam I manage to get four hours uninterrupted which for me is a great nights sleep. I would go to your docs and get a mild sleeper as if your not rested your Arthur will flare up it's like catch 22