help

juaquina

has any one got any suggestions :?

lindalegs

Hi there,

May I suggest you ask us what you'd like suggestions on :?

Luv Legs

juaquina

ive never been on a website before :!: :!: but any way just any tips or info on arthritis and sleep
my doctor just said to take paracetomol before bed
but it wears of after 4 hours :oops:

lindalegs

I use paracetamol quite regularly, it's an excellent 'safe' drug but when I'm having a bad spell, such as you are, I take it every six hours that way I'm not exceeding the dose and I find it works better once it's had chance to build up in your system.

Have you also tried a hot bath before you go to bed, that can do wonders for painful joints, also try some soothing music playing quietly in your room to relax you and a milky drink - these can all help with putting you in the right frame of mind for sleeping.

Hope this helps.

Luv Legs

juaquina

lindalegs wrote:

I use paracetamol quite regularly, it's an excellent 'safe' drug but when I'm having a bad spell, such as you are, I take it every six hours that way I'm not exceeding the dose and I find it works better once it's had chance to build up in your system.

Have you also tried a hot bath before you go to bed, that can do wonders for painful joints, also try some soothing music playing quietly in your room to relax you and a milky drink - these can all help with putting you in the right frame of mind for sleeping.

Hope this helps.

Luv Legs

ive tried it all but its the arthritis thats waking me as it hurts a lot more during the night when im lying down
ive just been diagnosed with osteo arthritis
its very frustrating

mandy_b1967

I take paracetamol too, one in the morning one when I go to bed. This is the only pain killers I take as I cant take anti-inflammatories due to crohns disease.

I also have a soak in a hot bath before bed as that helps relax all joints, though as I have OA in my wrists and it hurts to bend them getting out is getting to be a problem.

Wonkylegs

I would echo what lindalegs has already said about hot milky drink, relaxing music, & regular use of paracetamol rather than occasional etc

I also prop up painful joints into a more comfortable position using different pillows. You should see my side ofthe bed - I could open a pillow shop!!! but it works for me.

Also have been using lavender essential oil as recommended to me by my physiotherapist a few months ago. A couple of drops on your pillow, into some warm water / radiator humidifier seem to help too.

Have you tried getting Arthritis Care's relaxation CD and giving that a go? It is advertised on this site somewhere, (sorry can't remember whwere) for about £5. IF you can't find the link pop a query onto the helplines thread and they will point you in the right direction.

Best of luck.

jaspercat

Hi, I have just seen that Wonkylegs suggested lavender oil, I use it sometimes but my cat hates it and he loves sleeping with me, the gp gave me Amitriptylline tablets they work well on the pain, and also they help me to sleep love Jaspercatxx

frogmorton

Hi Iuaquina,
Welcome to the site.
Sorry to hear about your OA. I
The advice re pillows is excellent and i use them too - between my knees mostly. I also use heat pads to relax the pain before bed (baths help too) and then your painkiller just before bed.
Honestly though if you rae waking in pain still after trying all our suggestions you should return to your GP as there are other options. I think Jaspercat mentioned amytriptyline, which I too use when I am in agony.
Good luck and do let us know how you get on.
Take care
Toni x

petmad

Hi Iuaquina
Welcome to the forum. I echo all the good advice given before. Try everything and anything till you learn what works for you....for now...then look at alternatives. I find the most important aid to sleep is to get into a routine, this helps your mind to relax and it is therefore easier to sleep. Linda