sleep - I don't

[alan]

As the topic says, I don't sleep, mainly due to my pains. I've mentioned this in a thread elsewhere, but didn't ask for any ideas on how to become a sleeper. So, I'm asking. What can I do to sleep? Meds haven't worked, and you can't take them long-term, anyway.

[Jimi5]

I don't sleep normally either, so they say. I have no pain or spasms though. You should talk to someone about something you can take that is natural for your sleep problem. There are some things available

[etexley]

OK, so I go five days without standing or walking in my KAFOs. I exercise, for sure. but I just don't "get around" to standing. I don't sleep at all. On the other hand, if I take a half an hour and stand or try and walk I sleep. I don't care what anybody says...it's biochemical.

Eric Texley

[SCI-Nurse]

Alan, how much time are you out of bed in the day? Do you nap during the day? Do you get any exercise? I know you are limited by your pain, but if you nap your sleep pattern will be disrupted and sleep at night with be more difficult. Exercise is also shown to improve sleep in most people, even if you have to exercise through your pain. Depression, anxiety and pain are known deterents to effective sleep.

Medications for sleep (hypnotics and sedatives) are generally not recommended. They often interact with other medications, and most only work for about 2 weeks anyway. After that, psychologic and physical dependence may occur, and yet they generally no longer improve sleep. They often interfere with REM sleep, which is the most important phase of sleep for rebuilding your body in both spirit and structure.

As we have discussed before, a comprehensive pain management program that includes a strong counseling component should be able to assist you with some of these issues. A behavioral health program that focuses on sleep hygiene may be particularly helpful for this problem.

(KLD)

[alan]

I'm usually up in the chair about 12 hours a day. I don't nap, and I can only exercise a little. At the moment, I'm taking an occasional Dalmane to get some sleep, but, as you said, those can't be taken for any length of time.

I'm looking into yet another pain clinic. Maybe the next one will figure out a way to make central pain respond to opiates via a pump.

It's natural, highly addictive especially in winter and highly effective. HEAT! Ever go near those curtained rooms in a PT clinic where people get moist heat applied to their neck or backs, etc? Lots of snoring going on in those rooms. Buy one of the rice filled heat wraps that you microwave for 2 minutes and have someone wrap that sucker around your neck/back of head area. Once it starts warming the blood to your head you will fall asleep. Also concentrate on relaxing your shoulder muscles and think about your breathing. I mean it....deep breath in, slowly out ...... Get all nessled in bed first so you get the max out of the heat wrap. Unlike gel packs, heat wraps will not contine to get hotter after nuking. But do have whoever nukes it for you give it a good shake to even out the heat. And wash the cover every week or so.

I just broke my several year Ambien habit and this heat stuff still works for me. Who says hypnotics don't work long term? :-) They stopped knocking me out but they continued to help me remain asleep. Idid ease off slowly so no boomerang insomnia. And I have some short term memory again. LOL

[alan]

I've tried the breathing thing many times before - no joy. I've got a microwaveable scard that I often wear to warm up when I'm cold, even sometines before I try to go to sleep, but I've never noticed it making me tired. Maye my system is wierd?

[smokey]

Alan, you should drink single malt scotch-you'll get cocked and maybe forget what a drag it is to be you!