Discussion
Hi all
Some may know that I'm on a lot of drugs..have been since 2007 - you'd think with a combination of Dihydrocodine,Pregabalin,Amytriptaline,Baclofen....and occasional others that sleeping wouldn't be a problem. It is...and it's getting worse. Perhaps being on these - varying strengths over the years - has kind of f
ked up my brain in the sleep dept. I generally only need 5 hrs a night..but I do worry what getting this - max - over a period of years does to your mental health.
I don't want any other pills - I haven't mentioned this to my gp yet as I've a bit on my plate at the minute...don't need another pill.
Have noisy neighbours - which doesn't help. Do you have any aids that help you sleep ? Tried bog standard ear plugs...don't work - uncomfortable.
Anyone able to recommend anything?
Cheers
Some may know that I'm on a lot of drugs..have been since 2007 - you'd think with a combination of Dihydrocodine,Pregabalin,Amytriptaline,Baclofen....and occasional others that sleeping wouldn't be a problem. It is...and it's getting worse. Perhaps being on these - varying strengths over the years - has kind of f
ked up my brain in the sleep dept. I generally only need 5 hrs a night..but I do worry what getting this - max - over a period of years does to your mental health. I don't want any other pills - I haven't mentioned this to my gp yet as I've a bit on my plate at the minute...don't need another pill.
Have noisy neighbours - which doesn't help. Do you have any aids that help you sleep ? Tried bog standard ear plugs...don't work - uncomfortable.
Anyone able to recommend anything?
Cheers
Sounds from your meds list like you might be dealing with some similar stuff to me.
When admitted to hospital I get them to put me on actual proper sleeping pills, usually Zopiclone. If they don't I just won't get any rest at all and eventually end up far iller than whatever had put me in hospital in the first place.
Out of hospital it goes a few different ways.
Pain management is the first bit, if your pain isn't controlled as well as it can be, there's no way you're going to get decent sleep. Not a situation for hardening TF up, this. Take the bloody Oramorph if you need it. Go back to the pain management team and ask for help if appropriate.
Next is comfort - being in a decently comfy position, the right temperature, nothing too badly in spasm, stomach full, bladder empty and the rest. If you're not very mobile in bed, having the right mattress goes from being important to being crucial. Hospital style beds are pug-ugly but incredibly useful for comfort and positioning.
The rest is basically headspace - learning to put your worries away for safekeeping (I have a mental 'deal with it in the morning' box), stick soothing music on (make a playlist or something), refrain from the Daily Soovy for a few hours, keep off the caffeine and generally getting chilled out and feeling safe and calm and happy. If you're a cat person, a purry cat on your knee is awesome for this. A snoring Labrador on your feet has much the same effect.
When admitted to hospital I get them to put me on actual proper sleeping pills, usually Zopiclone. If they don't I just won't get any rest at all and eventually end up far iller than whatever had put me in hospital in the first place.
Out of hospital it goes a few different ways.
Pain management is the first bit, if your pain isn't controlled as well as it can be, there's no way you're going to get decent sleep. Not a situation for hardening TF up, this. Take the bloody Oramorph if you need it. Go back to the pain management team and ask for help if appropriate.
Next is comfort - being in a decently comfy position, the right temperature, nothing too badly in spasm, stomach full, bladder empty and the rest. If you're not very mobile in bed, having the right mattress goes from being important to being crucial. Hospital style beds are pug-ugly but incredibly useful for comfort and positioning.
The rest is basically headspace - learning to put your worries away for safekeeping (I have a mental 'deal with it in the morning' box), stick soothing music on (make a playlist or something), refrain from the Daily Soovy for a few hours, keep off the caffeine and generally getting chilled out and feeling safe and calm and happy. If you're a cat person, a purry cat on your knee is awesome for this. A snoring Labrador on your feet has much the same effect.
BlackVanDyke said:
Sounds from your meds list like you might be dealing with some similar stuff to me.
When admitted to hospital I get them to put me on actual proper sleeping pills, usually Zopiclone. If they don't I just won't get any rest at all and eventually end up far iller than whatever had put me in hospital in the first place.
Out of hospital it goes a few different ways.
Pain management is the first bit, if your pain isn't controlled as well as it can be, there's no way you're going to get decent sleep. Not a situation for hardening TF up, this. Take the bloody Oramorph if you need it. Go back to the pain management team and ask for help if appropriate.
Next is comfort - being in a decently comfy position, the right temperature, nothing too badly in spasm, stomach full, bladder empty and the rest. If you're not very mobile in bed, having the right mattress goes from being important to being crucial. Hospital style beds are pug-ugly but incredibly useful for comfort and positioning.
The rest is basically headspace - learning to put your worries away for safekeeping (I have a mental 'deal with it in the morning' box), stick soothing music on (make a playlist or something), refrain from the Daily Soovy for a few hours, keep off the caffeine and generally getting chilled out and feeling safe and calm and happy. If you're a cat person, a purry cat on your knee is awesome for this. A snoring Labrador on your feet has much the same effect.
Thamks for the reply - been on Zopiclone before and others. TBH - sick of pill cocktails...but I guess one more won't make much difference! If i remember correctly Zopiclone fked my moods up for a while. Seen some night-time headphones...designed for nodding off with music on. May try those...just wondered if others had tried something similar.When admitted to hospital I get them to put me on actual proper sleeping pills, usually Zopiclone. If they don't I just won't get any rest at all and eventually end up far iller than whatever had put me in hospital in the first place.
Out of hospital it goes a few different ways.
Pain management is the first bit, if your pain isn't controlled as well as it can be, there's no way you're going to get decent sleep. Not a situation for hardening TF up, this. Take the bloody Oramorph if you need it. Go back to the pain management team and ask for help if appropriate.
Next is comfort - being in a decently comfy position, the right temperature, nothing too badly in spasm, stomach full, bladder empty and the rest. If you're not very mobile in bed, having the right mattress goes from being important to being crucial. Hospital style beds are pug-ugly but incredibly useful for comfort and positioning.
The rest is basically headspace - learning to put your worries away for safekeeping (I have a mental 'deal with it in the morning' box), stick soothing music on (make a playlist or something), refrain from the Daily Soovy for a few hours, keep off the caffeine and generally getting chilled out and feeling safe and calm and happy. If you're a cat person, a purry cat on your knee is awesome for this. A snoring Labrador on your feet has much the same effect.
Think we've discussed meds beofore in the past...never thought about discussing this with the pain clinic..will do next time i see them.
Cheers.
BlackVanDyke said:
Sounds from your meds list like you might be dealing with some similar stuff to me.
When admitted to hospital I get them to put me on actual proper sleeping pills, usually Zopiclone. If they don't I just won't get any rest at all and eventually end up far iller than whatever had put me in hospital in the first place.
Out of hospital it goes a few different ways.
Pain management is the first bit, if your pain isn't controlled as well as it can be, there's no way you're going to get decent sleep. Not a situation for hardening TF up, this. Take the bloody Oramorph if you need it. Go back to the pain management team and ask for help if appropriate.
Next is comfort - being in a decently comfy position, the right temperature, nothing too badly in spasm, stomach full, bladder empty and the rest. If you're not very mobile in bed, having the right mattress goes from being important to being crucial. Hospital style beds are pug-ugly but incredibly useful for comfort and positioning.
The rest is basically headspace - learning to put your worries away for safekeeping (I have a mental 'deal with it in the morning' box), stick soothing music on (make a playlist or something), refrain from the Daily Soovy for a few hours, keep off the caffeine and generally getting chilled out and feeling safe and calm and happy. If you're a cat person, a purry cat on your knee is awesome for this. A snoring Labrador on your feet has much the same effect.
Good post that I'd agree with.When admitted to hospital I get them to put me on actual proper sleeping pills, usually Zopiclone. If they don't I just won't get any rest at all and eventually end up far iller than whatever had put me in hospital in the first place.
Out of hospital it goes a few different ways.
Pain management is the first bit, if your pain isn't controlled as well as it can be, there's no way you're going to get decent sleep. Not a situation for hardening TF up, this. Take the bloody Oramorph if you need it. Go back to the pain management team and ask for help if appropriate.
Next is comfort - being in a decently comfy position, the right temperature, nothing too badly in spasm, stomach full, bladder empty and the rest. If you're not very mobile in bed, having the right mattress goes from being important to being crucial. Hospital style beds are pug-ugly but incredibly useful for comfort and positioning.
The rest is basically headspace - learning to put your worries away for safekeeping (I have a mental 'deal with it in the morning' box), stick soothing music on (make a playlist or something), refrain from the Daily Soovy for a few hours, keep off the caffeine and generally getting chilled out and feeling safe and calm and happy. If you're a cat person, a purry cat on your knee is awesome for this. A snoring Labrador on your feet has much the same effect.
Mattress / change of sheets / duvet / pillow could be a shout. I bought a tempur pillow which I now can't sleep without.
Mental state for me is a major factor. I've got zopiclones at home to take if I ever need but I also try to avoid them. I find that if my head is filled with something and my mind starts racing then ill just not sleep. I did read that if you can't sleep don't lie in bed trying to force yourself as you just get more worked up.
I find that any gadgets with bright lights (iPad / laptop / iPhone) stimulate the brain so I try to avoid using these too late (unlike tonight). Reading helps me as long as its a paper book. I also avoid caffein after 6pm.
Edit: a small dose of zopiclone can do wonders. Something like a 3.75mg. I know the OP wants to avoid another pill but they really are good (and non-dependant). As has been said though...if your mental state isn't right for sleeping even these won't knock you out.
Edited by craigb84 on Wednesday 18th April 00:29
Only a small one, but if your mind is whirring away when trying to sleep, I keep a pad of paper and a pen by the bed. Then if I think of something I must not forget, I just write it down. Then I don't need to worry about forgetting it until the am.
When I was on the gabapentin & tramadol they sent me to sleep so fortunately didn't have the problem, but when I came off them I did - up til 2-3am, and awake again at 6. It has worn off now though!
Having a night time routine of winding down - warm bath, reading, soothing drink etc. might help?
When I was on the gabapentin & tramadol they sent me to sleep so fortunately didn't have the problem, but when I came off them I did - up til 2-3am, and awake again at 6. It has worn off now though!
Having a night time routine of winding down - warm bath, reading, soothing drink etc. might help?
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