United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

here we go again!

if it was just tonight, i'd admit to "self-inflicted" (long walk in cold, damp, misty, foggy weather). unfortunately, it's been the last 4 or 5 nights.

since my injury, the norm for me has been to sleep when going to bed, then wake up a couple times in the night, then back to sleep. lately, however, i find i go to bed and just can't get comfy or fall asleep. even when i've been dozing in front of the telly or falling asleep on my feet a few minutes before, the minute i get into bed, i can't sleep.

needless to say, especially as i'm getting used to working again, i not only look terrible (nice bags under the eyes - are they gucci?), but i feel horrible all day too and look forward to going to bed that night, only to have the same thing happen all over again! lately, i'm averaging about 3 hours sleep - and that's not always continuous.

i've tried reading, doing crosswords, computer games, surfing the net, etc. nothing seems to help.

the weird thing is, it's not always pain that is keeping me awake. i've talked to my family doctor and he's done blood tests but says everything is "normal".

has anyone else had this problem?

of course, there are times when it is due to the pain. then i'll take a percocet or two to help me sleep, but i feel like a zombie the next morning.

in my last sleepless post, narelle mentioned a puppy comforter that michael has that seems to help. with all my animal contacts, would you believe no one (not even the vets) have heard of it? narelle - how much is one there? looks like i'll be getting a parcel from oz after all!

hugs,

jan

Hi Jan,
Sorry to hear you are having those restless nights. I have a great new comforter for you. Ran into a lady the other day at a shopping centre and she actually makes wheat/lavender heat pads. I asked her about getting one made especially for Michael that would cover his arm up to the elbow (the puppy one only goes to above the wrist). Well success from this lady. She made Michael one that is like a big oven mit that the can slide his whole arm into, comes up about half way between shoulder and elbow. It is not too heavy on the arm. He puts it in the microwave for about 2 to 3 minutes and is very warm and soothing on his arm, smells good too with the lavender. Give me your email address and I will send photos of what it looks like and if you are interested I will get one made for you and post it over. Would just need measurements of length you want. It cost me $30 australian to have it made, but have to admit it was worth it. Michael does find it very soothing on the arm, much better than any hot water bottle. Take care Jan - let me know regards Narelle

Jan,
Sorry to hear that you are having trouble sleeping. I've been having the same problem on and off for the last 4 months. It's gotten really bad in the last month. Can't get comfortable enough to actually fall asleep, and once I do, I wake up with intense nerve pain, and then I can't get back to sleep again cause I can't get comfortable or I'm in pain. It's like a catch 22.
Have you tried doing yoga before going to sleep? Very gentle yoga would be good for like 20 minutes. I'm not able to do much yoga right now but it used to help me. I also have a hot drink, usually hot chocolate with some milk in it an hour before bedtime.
I've had to resort to medicine to help get me to sleep and keep me there. Maybe ask your doc about something to get you comfortable. I'm on neurontin, tizanidine and nortriptyline at night. They just doubled my nortriptyline dose last night and I got almost 6 hours of sleep for the first time in months.
I'm not saying to rely on medicine, I absolutely abhor it, but maybe ask your doc about your options.
let me know if you have any questions or need anything.
i hope you get a good night's sleep soon
gillian