Hello

I just joined today & was knocked sideways when i saw that there was a whole forum for chronic pain. As well as my MH probs,i have fibromyalgia. At the moment,everything is bad.I don't sleep well at all & that makes the pain AND the brain much worse. It will be so great to speak to others who suffer both probs & maybe get some useful ideas on how to get a decent sleep. I hope everyone here is not suffering TOO bad tonight.xxx

Hi and WELCOME. I'm sorry you have Fibro. I know how painful it must be.

I'm no stranger to pain or to sleepless nights. I've been a chronic painer for 26 years now. I have severe spinal issues, and have had several spinal surgeries, which didn't work. I also have osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and several other delightful things. Consequently, I'm always in severe pain, and right now the meds aren't doing a darn thing. My doc is trying to find something that works, but I'm one of those who is VERY hard to medicate. I even wake up on the operating table during surgeries -- so I'm VERY hard to medicate!!! The docs are afraid to give me the high dosages it would require to make me comfortable.

I rarely sleep more than 2 hours a night, if that. I was up all night last night and so far I haven't been to bed yet tonight. Looks like I won't be cause it's too darn painful.

I suspect YOU have the same problem, right? What meds are you on, or would you rather not say? I'm on Opana, 40mg twice a day, which does absolutely NOTHING. I might as well take aspirin. I was on higher doses of meds 10 years ago with another doc, but he retired! Good grief.

I hope you get some sleep tonight, and your pain levels go down. I know how awful this is. Let me know how you're doing, OK??? God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

Welcome! I also have the traditional MH problem (Bipolar II, in my case), fibromyalgia, spinal problems, etc. I know what you mean about sleep being a problem. I take Trazodone at night for sleep, but that doesn't always help. I also take Ultram and Tylenol for pain. I sometimes take a warm bath, and I definitely need some down time before turning in--such as reading something boring, doing breathing exercises, etc. A friend of mine with fibro takes Ambien. She's also on a Fibro med (lyrica). She says it helps some, but she has gained weight on it. I can't stand to gain another ounce, so I am trying to stay off of it. She also has to have some down time, too, before hitting the sack.

Hope you can sleep soon!

After all the meds didn't work. They finally put in a spinal cord stimulator implant. At first it was hard to get used to. Now it's my best friend. it feel's like a soothing massage I love it it works for me.

Hi all. Sorry i've not been around for a few days. Having severe MH probs & doc's not being very helpful.Sleeping is terrible so pain is getting worse. It's all inter-connected & difficult to know what to deal with first. Hows everyone else? xxx

Hi Lassie. Welcome to PC and the chronic pain forum. The folks at PC are great, but the folks in this forum are extra special. I hear you about not being able to sleep because of the pain. I was awake until after 1AM last night because of the pain.

After I had surgery in October I had the hardest time falling asleep, maybe if I was lucky I get three hours every other day or so. have you considered trying a recliner? I'm not sure exactly where your pain is but I got a recliner and for some reason that helped me because i had neck surgery which made it super hard to get comfy in bed.

Good idea about a recliner! I have a sofa with big fluffy cushions that has recliner at each end. Some nights when I can't sleep laying down in bed I sleep on the sofa and it helps.

Highland Lassie,

I have sleep issues also. Tonight I cannot sleep or seem to find a comfortable position. I have a herniated disc in my back and neck and getting comfortable in bed is a big issue. When I do fall asleep it is usually 3am and then I end up sleeping to 11 the next morning. Now that I am not working, I have gotten out of my waking up by 8am normal routine.

This pain forum is a great support for those living with daily pain.