Fibromyalgia

LameWolf

somebody_else wrote: »

You don't want to go and ruin your holiday, 'cos you're too knackered to enjoy it, do you?

It's a fact of life for us that while other people go on holiday for a rest and a change of scene and come back feeling refreshed, we have to rest before we go on holiday and then come back totally knackered and in need of a rest to get over the travelling and the change in routine and all the extras we force ourselves to do 'cos we're on holiday'.

Or is that just me?

I think you're quite correct, s/e. My husband wanted to start planning a holiday for later in the year; we did a bit of research online (finding wheelchair-friendly accommodation, for a start) and by the time we'd been at it for half an hour or so, I was absolutely knackered. I'm beginning to wonder if going on holiday is worth the hassle.

I seem to be completely nocturnal these days, too. Can't sleep at night, just lie awake staring at the ceiling, and can't stay awake during the day. Anyone else get this? How on earth do I go about correcting it? I mentioned it to the GP and she seemed to just think it was amusing.

Sorry, I'm just feeling really down today. I'll shut up I think, before I drag you all down in the pit with me.

somebody_else

LameWolf wrote: »

I seem to be completely nocturnal these days, too. Can't sleep at night, just lie awake staring at the ceiling, and can't stay awake during the day. Anyone else get this? How on earth do I go about correcting it? I mentioned it to the GP and she seemed to just think it was amusing.

Sorry, I'm just feeling really down today. I'll shut up I think, before I drag you all down in the pit with me.

Having spent most of Saturday night wide awake, I made a concious effort to stay awake all of yesterday and took a double dose of amitrityline last night which helped. I do usually try very hard to stay awake during the day, no matter how tired I'm feeling as that's the only way I'll get any sleep at night. It is very hard (no reading during the day or I'm off in minutes), but is worth the struggle, most times. I can't actually remember the last time I slept through a whole night though.

I'm afraid it's all very well your GP finding things amusing (and I have no aversion to having a laugh during a consultation if something strikes on or other of us funny), but given your problems, I think she should also have taken a bit of time to see if there was something she could do to help.

Don't apologise for feeling down - sleep deprivation wasn't used as a form of torture because it has no effect on people, you know. Being deprived of sleep for any length of time is going to affect your mood.

LameWolf

I'm not on Amy - I had it some years ago, and I was positively a danger to myself and others, I was so spaced out. I have diclofenac and also morphine for pain relief and moclobemide to combat depression nowadays, plus a couple of other drugs.

Being on my own all day doesn't help I guess - I get bored and lonely, and I suppose sleeping is a way to make the time go quicker.

Not to worry, I expect it'll all come out in the wash, as my grandmother would've said.

somebody_else

That's quite a cocktail, and it's no wonder you end up feeling very sleepy during the day. And you're right - unless you're used to it and/or can find things to do during the day that help you to pass the time, being bored and lonely can be very hard. Not sure what to suggest for that, as no doubt you do what you can when you can.

I expect ti'll all come out in the wash, as my grandmother would've said

Trouble is with that, it stains every thing else that was in with it.

Careful_with_that_Axe

Sorry you're feeling down LW. Does the time of year have something to do with it perhaps? I won't teach granny to suck eggs by saying stay away from coffee etc. If I get really antsy during the night, I make myself some decaffinated tea, take it back to bed with me and put the radio on or read until I'm sleepy enough to just drop off over the book. But what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Have you tried sprinkling lavender oil near your bed or on the pillows?
Hope you have better nights to come.
I've decided to concentrate on packing for going away, as everything else is unimportant for the people staying in my flat, but if I forget something vital like my meds, it'll be a total bummer. So I'm putting myself first.
And, yes, s/e your description of holidays being tiring is spot on. I was absolutely on my knees when I came back from some time away in the summer. Felt much better for it mentally though.
Off to chuck some more books in the bag. Wonder if the helicopter will actually be able to take off with the amount of baggage (emotional and otherwise) that I'm taking!

LameWolf

Thanks, s/e and CwtA.

Yes I've tried all the standard things like hop pillows, lavender, hot milky drinks, etc. One GP prescribed Temazepam several years ago, but it didn't help. I do read a lot - but usually end up still with my nose in the book at 4 am and still no nearer sleeping.

I also suffer rather badly with nightmares if/when I do finally get to sleep.

Time of year is very probably a big factor, certainly as far as feeling down goes - Xmas when I was a kid was fraught, to say the least, always having to walk on eggshells round my father, as he'd have a paddywhack at the least provocation, and I used to actually dread it. I actually used to spend most of the time contriving not to be in the same room with my father, so I've come to associate this time of year with stress, arguments and violence.

LOL I sound a hopeless case, don't I?:o

CwtA you're right about making sure you have your meds - get those packed, whatever else you forget. And have a great holiday.;)

Careful_with_that_Axe

You're not a hopeless case at all LW. Sounds like you've had a hard time. I can't think of anything else that would help short term except that I'll be sending you sleepy thoughts and good dreams.
Have you thought about longer-term treatments such as hypnotherapy for insomnia and maybe to talk out some of your feelings about your youth?
I wish you better nights.

suep

Hi Lamewolf my friends who both have MS and are in wheelchairs use www.accessibletravel.co.uk for their holidays, they check out everything including the height of the kerbs for wheelchair users. If you go on their website you can get a brochure sent out. Im thinking of using them myself this year if we go away.
sue

Careful_with_that_Axe

In case I forget or I'm not around later, I wish you all a wonderful, peaceful, warm, cozy and settled Xmas and hope that the sun shines on all of you at some point.
I'll miss you, but I'm sure you will all be in my thoughts at some point.
No doubt I'll be back online on Saturday if I can prise my Sister from the laptop!
Love and hugs to all
x

bigzippy

LameWolf wrote: »

Being on my own all day doesn't help I guess - I get bored and lonely, and I suppose sleeping is a way to make the time go quicker.

I know exactly what you mean LW. I've always found it easier to sleep through most of the day while OH is at work and be awake late into the night while he's around.

Plus, things are often easier when you're asleep. The number of times (especially before I got diagnosed) I cried that I wanted to go to sleep for a while (a while being weeks, months, wasn't really bothered).

LameWolf wrote:

Time of year is very probably a big factor, certainly as far as feeling down goes - Xmas when I was a kid was fraught, to say the least, always having to walk on eggshells round my father, as he'd have a paddywhack at the least provocation, and I used to actually dread it. I actually used to spend most of the time contriving not to be in the same room with my father, so I've come to associate this time of year with stress, arguments and violence.

LOL I sound a hopeless case, don't I?:o

Not hopeless, just affected. Which is perfectly understandable - especially as we now have something else (known) in common. It's awful tiptoeing round the head of the household, keeping yourself and your siblings etc "safe", isn't it?