Sleep

PaulaJ

Hi, I have osteoarthritis in both knees and I am currently struggling to sleep at night as I just cannot get comfortable. I have one of those sleep pillows to put between my knees but it doesn't help for long. I am constantly tired and although my husband, bless him, is a deep sleeper, I do feel bad for constantly moving position so I end up moving to the spare room! We are going to Seville next week for 5 days where I won't have the option of the spare room!

Does anyone have any tips on how I can get more comfortable? I am primarily a side sleeper and definitely can't sleep on my back!

Thank you in advance x

MaryL44

Hi @PaulaJ

Sorry to hear about your sleep issues. It all sounds very familiar to me! I sleep on my side and often have to roll over when one side starts to ache. I could sleep on my back but I'll then have backache for most of the next day. I was getting really quite depressed and didn't want to go on holiday - just as you say.

I have found lavender oil on a tissue on my pillow has helped and doing some deep breathing and yoga - I found something on line that was just a 10 minute yoga nidra practice so I do it when I go to bed and also if/when I wake up in the middle of the night. These things have helped take the pressure off the desperate thoughts in the middle of the night but I have to be honest and say that I still have trouble at times but maybe they've just helped me to feel more positive and less panicky. I'm off on a 3 week holiday this weekend and I know there'll be times when I struggle but I'll get up, walk around the room and stretch a bit, do the deep breathing and then try to sleep again. I get up earlier that I used to so I'm planning on this holiday to allow some rest time in the hotel during the day.

I hope my experiences help you. Enjoy your holiday.

Mary (Moderator)

Trish9556

hi @PaulaJ

I'm currently suffering with OA in multiple joints at the moment and at least two (hips and hand) are giving me cause to wake between 3 & 4 every morning for the last 2/3 weeks.

Currently I go downstairs, make myself some proper hot chocolate with my milk frother, listen to classic fm on my kindle with my snooze band headphones, take some paracetamol and do some of my jigsaw while I drink my hot chocolate.

Sometimes I can nod off again on the sofa, sometimes I can't. Today I am exhausted and couldn't even nod off this afternoon.

There's no rhyme or reason to why, it's just like it's always been.

Try not to do anything on a computer/phone when you wake up, try to relax and try not to stress too mucch as that won't help. I've suffered sleepless nights for many years for various reasons and I'm glad I don't have to get up and go to work anymore!

Trish