Bedtime

jackie1955

Although I love snuggling into bed, and usually relax and watch a dvd or read for a while, I am getting more and more reluctant to 'retire' for the night.

Because: I know I'll wake a couple of times through the night, in pain, and not able to drop off to sleep easily. And I know when I wake in the morning I'll be extremely stiff, swollen, and in pain.

I feel at my best when its time to go bed at night - I'm rather tempted to stay UP to enjoy the feeling - but then I'd be even more tired next day! Talk about a Catch 22 situation

I'm currently on 2 diclofenac a day, plus taking paracetomol. Am just wondering if theres any particular time its best to take them to aid sleep?

skezier

Hi Jackie,
I know that feeling, well not the wake up after two hour bit as I pay for everything I've done to my bones when I lay down before I sleep.
I also on 2 diclo's a day as part of things I have and they are better taken in the morning really. You get them to help get you going and if they do stop you sleeping at least its morning so by the time you go to sleep they are not at their strongest. Well that's my theory anyway!
Take care

jaspercat

Hi Jackie, when I have trouble sleeping, most nights, I try some lavender oil sprinkled on my pillow, sometimes I try Nytol Herbal Tablets, they help too but not every night, but you should check with the pharmacist that it is ok for you to take them with your other medication love Jaspercatxx

joanlawson

Hi Jackie
I wonder why you are only taking 2 Diclofenac a day because the recommended dose is 3 a day, but you must take Omeprazole as well to protect your stomach. These anti-inflammatory drugs can cause stomach ulcers, so it is important to be careful. Maybe you are taking Omeprazole already. I was told that it was important to take Diclofenac with food too, never on an empty stomach, so I take one after each meal, and never last thing at night. You can take Paracetamol as well as Diclofenac up to the recommended maximum dose (see the leaflet in the packet, but I think it is 8 in 24 hours ) You need time to let the drugs get into your bloodstream, so you must take them regularly to have effect. I would take the Paracetamol in between the Diclofenac, rather than at the same time. It is a bit kinder to your stomach.
I have been taking a new supplement called Osteo Bi- Flex, available at Boots.It contains high-strength Glucosomine, chondroitin, plus other things and I think it can reduce inflammatoin. I also take a rose-hip extract and Omega 3 fish oil. They can't do any harm and I think they have helped me. I used to wake up in terrible pain, but I'm much better now. I still wake up, but soon get back to sleep.

All the best
Joan

jackie1955

Hi Joan,

I've been taking Diclofenac 75mg - two per day from Oct'07 until Oct'08, for a bad back. Then I reduced it to one a day as the back pain didn't seem so bad. One in the morning and one at night - they are modified release tablets I believe.

I've never had any trouble with them and always take them with food; my gp has never given or even mentioned that I need anything to protect my stomach.

I've had my first rheumy appointment and he told me to go back to two tablets a day as it may help with the RA inflammation - I think it has. (I've started taking some paracetamol now too).

I'm due to see rheumy in March when I assume he'll start me off on some meds, I think I will check out with him about the Diclofenac; also I've been taking some Evening Primrose, Multi Vitamin with Iron, Vitamin B Complex, and Cod Liver Oil - don't know if these help or not :!:

Jackie x

colinone

Hello Jackie
It all depends what you need to do the next day and what your commitments are. I tend to sleep when i can or should i say when arthur lets me. I just had 5 hours sleep so i know i'm going to be up most of the night but am now getting use to sleeping when my body tells me. Only problem is nights can be quite lonely and some times feel like throwing PC through the window. Take Care
Colin

joanlawson

Hi Jackie
When I sent my previous message, I didn't realise that there are different strengths of Diclofenac, so maybe 2 is right for you. Mine are 50mg and I take 3 a day, but if yours is 75mg, perhaps 2 is correct. However, I was prescribed Omeprazole as well and told that they were to protect my stomach from the side-effects of Diclofenac. I was also told to take them with food.
Joan

I've just realised that 3x50gm or 2x75gm is actually the same dose per day anyway :!: :!:

lindalegs

Hi Jackie,

When I'm going through a bad patch as well as my normal meds, I take paracetamol every six hours then I know that if I need them in the night I'm quite safe to take them without overdosing :shock:

For me it's a mental thing too so that if I'm up in the night I can take some and then I get back into bed thinking only half an hour and they'll start to kick in and I shall feel alot better - and I do convince myself and often drift off back to sleep whilst I'm waiting for them to work. When I wake again I know I'm that bit nearer to my next meds which I'm convinced, again, that they'll get me through. The power of the brain is quite astonishing, for me, and although I'm living from pill time to pill time - it does get me through.

Luv Legs

badger

Sleep is so important to us.

I can remember a colleague of mine saying that their other half was about to give birth. To which we all expressed our symphony for the sleepless nights to come. He responded by saying that he required very little sleep, and would easily manage. To which another colleague said “I did not understand why sleep deprivation was used to extract information from spies until I had children of their own.”

So I like Colin take sleep when I can because I do not always have a good nights sleep due to my partners restless nights. A pin being dropped downstairs will wake me up, even if I am in a deep sleep. However, my partner when asleep could sleep through an Earthquake.

Yes, lindalegs the power of the mind can work wonders. It reminds me of a little tank engine story I have just read to my grandson. About how a little engine thinking he could, helped a large engine that thought he could not.

I wish you all a good night’s sleep.
Badger.

yorkie

joanlawson wrote:

Hi Jackie
I wonder why you are only taking 2 Diclofenac a day because the recommended dose is 3 a day, but you must take Omeprazole as well to protect your stomach. These anti-inflammatory drugs can cause stomach ulcers, so it is important to be careful. Maybe you are taking Omeprazole already. I was told that it was important to take Diclofenac with food too, never on an empty stomach, so I take one after each meal, and never last thing at night. You can take Paracetamol as well as Diclofenac up to the recommended maximum dose (see the leaflet in the packet, but I think it is 8 in 24 hours ) You need time to let the drugs get into your bloodstream, so you must take them regularly to have effect. I would take the Paracetamol in between the Diclofenac, rather than at the same time. It is a bit kinder to your stomach.
I have been taking a new supplement called Osteo Bi- Flex, available at Boots.It contains high-strength Glucosomine, chondroitin, plus other things and I think it can reduce inflammatoin. I also take a rose-hip extract and Omega 3 fish oil. They can't do any harm and I think they have helped me. I used to wake up in terrible pain, but I'm much better now. I still wake up, but soon get back to sleep.

All the best
Joan

HELLO
I used to take 2 diclofenac a day, one on a morning and one at night with food. they were 75mg each =150mg a day. they are slow release and as far as I can make out they cost more than the 50mg tablets. thats why alot of doc`s give the 50mgs out. I asked for 75mg tabs because at the time when i took them I did not always stop work to eat lunch and found it better for me just to take them morning and night with food. I am on methotrexate now and the diclofenac reacted with this so i came off diclofenac. yorkie