Few people think about the quality of sleep in relation to natural medicines. Surprisingly sleep is one of the first things the doctor who diagnosed asked me about.
Without realizing it the pain and stress of fibromyalgia can affect the amount and quality of your sleep. Since one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue then sleep becomes even more important.
A significant number of people with fibromyalgia have sleep apnea. I did and I never noticed it. Don’t be surprised if you doctor recommends you get a sleep study and at least check.
One possibility is medication to help you sleep. Another choice might be what is called a CPAP machine. The doctor associated with the sleep study will make recommendations to you.
Different organizations recommend different things you can do for your sleep that should be included in any discussion about natural medicines. One of those things is to make your bedroom comfortable by reducing the noise and adjusting the temperatures in the bedroom.
Another thing is to try different sheets, blankets, and even night time clothing to find out what will be the most comfortable for you. I change bedding and clothing for different seasons and this helps my sleep
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Is Lack of Sleep a Symptom of Fibromyalgia?
Since one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is the overpowering fatigue, it is important to get the best possible sleep. One of the areas to look into is sleep disorders.
Although this may not be the ‘answer’ to autism it might lead you to an important tool in the battle to remain as functional as possible for as long as possible.
Being up at night, because you sleep so lightly, is not normal. You also should also not wake up hurting and tired. You may want to check with a sleep specialist. You may not even realize that you are having a problem with sleep.
I know some people who have checked with their spouse or children and found out how badly they snore or grind their teeth at night. These are also good reasons to check with a sleep specialist.
The sleep specialist and their staff will be able to do a thorough work up at the first appointment to see if you might have a problem with a restricted airway.
It is also typical to have to spend a couple of nights at a sleep center for more testing. Sometimes this can be done in one night but typically it takes two nights.
Of course not all people with fibromyalgia will have sleep disturbance as one of the symptoms. Sleep disturbance has been found in a large number of people with fibromyalgia. It was also one of the first things that the diagnosing doctor told me to check.
Although this may not be the ‘answer’ to autism it might lead you to an important tool in the battle to remain as functional as possible for as long as possible.
Being up at night, because you sleep so lightly, is not normal. You also should also not wake up hurting and tired. You may want to check with a sleep specialist. You may not even realize that you are having a problem with sleep.
I know some people who have checked with their spouse or children and found out how badly they snore or grind their teeth at night. These are also good reasons to check with a sleep specialist.
The sleep specialist and their staff will be able to do a thorough work up at the first appointment to see if you might have a problem with a restricted airway.
It is also typical to have to spend a couple of nights at a sleep center for more testing. Sometimes this can be done in one night but typically it takes two nights.
Of course not all people with fibromyalgia will have sleep disturbance as one of the symptoms. Sleep disturbance has been found in a large number of people with fibromyalgia. It was also one of the first things that the diagnosing doctor told me to check.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Fibromyalgia at Home Or at Work
I find as my disease progresses I have to have a plan for what I want to accomplish every day. Some days I would not get up if I did not have a family and job that I love waiting for me.
The way I eat and exercise help. I am also careful to drink enough water. As much as possible I cut out junk foods for a variety of reasons I will go into in later posts
I have also learned to let my teenagers help me as much as possible. It also gives me the opportunity to spend time with them and let them see me work with my limitations. I believe this is good for them.
I am also careful to take my medications and keep my doctor’s appointments. I deserve it. This will also help me live and work longer.
Another technique I use is to plan things for days when I know I will not be able to keep up. At work I have work saved that is methodical and routine for when I have trouble thinking with the fibro fog. At home I have movies and small work I can do while I supervise my children.
At work I also am on a very flexible schedule. I may work seven days a week when I feel well enough. I also may only work a few hours a day on a bad day. On a good day I can and do work longer. I don’t work to exhaustion though.
The way I eat and exercise help. I am also careful to drink enough water. As much as possible I cut out junk foods for a variety of reasons I will go into in later posts
I have also learned to let my teenagers help me as much as possible. It also gives me the opportunity to spend time with them and let them see me work with my limitations. I believe this is good for them.
I am also careful to take my medications and keep my doctor’s appointments. I deserve it. This will also help me live and work longer.
Another technique I use is to plan things for days when I know I will not be able to keep up. At work I have work saved that is methodical and routine for when I have trouble thinking with the fibro fog. At home I have movies and small work I can do while I supervise my children.
At work I also am on a very flexible schedule. I may work seven days a week when I feel well enough. I also may only work a few hours a day on a bad day. On a good day I can and do work longer. I don’t work to exhaustion though.
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