TTTC and Insomnia - what do you do?
Jan 21, 2015 1:43:31 GMT -5
Post by cinzink on Jan 21, 2015 1:43:31 GMT -5
I have chronic insomnia and have for over 10 years now. I used to think that it was a blessing when I was in college as a full time student and working over 40 hours per week between 3 different jobs. At most I'd get 2-3 hours per night.
Since I've been TTC since Dec 2011 I haven't been on meds for my lupus or fibromyalgia for over 3.5 years; that includes sleeping aids.
My Rheumatologist put me on 5 mg Felxeril about 6 months ago. It doesn't really help but it is the only thing that he and my RE we're comfortable having me take while TTC and that's the max dosage they'll consider as well. With my chronic pain/fatague etc. my Rheumotologist says it's hard to tell if the pain/fatigue cause the insomnia or the other way around. The one thing that is know for certain is that it cycles, one fuels the either.
I've used and attempted the use of Lunesta, Ambien, 150 mg Trazadone, high doses of Xanax, Flexeril and other muscle relaxers. The one thing that helped the most was the Trazadone (all were prescribed). I also take 2100-2400 mg Ibuprofen daily (as prescribed).
I've made what I consider big lifestyle changes over 5 years ago and stick to them. The bed is for intimate time and sleep only (I have a reading chair in the bedroom if I want to read and NO TV in the bedroom), diet changes: including not eating at least 1 hour before bed, limiting alcohol use to maximum 3 nights per week, omitting as much processed food as possible, no caffeine after noon. I exercise at least 3 day per week but I never after 2 hours before bedtime. I drink 1-2 cups Yogi Bedtime tea (other brands don't seem to help as much). I stick to a routine as much as possible including stretching before bed and the times I go to sleep and wake up.
I was wondering if others have this struggle too. I'm stressed that at my next Rhuematologist appointment the 2nd week in February that BW will come back and/or he'll essentially have to put me on meds to straighten me out (this is always for a minimum of 6 months - 1 year).
I was wondering if any other have struggled with insomnia and sleep issues and what yo do to cope. When I was first TTC I figured it won't be a big deal since we'd try for a few months, get KU and then meds would be a possibility (ha! a few months, I actually believed that). I feel that I'm struggling more than I have been and maybe it was the stress of 2 laps and the massive work my RE did in less than 2 months or just the stress of life. I went to bed at 8:30 pm tonight and am now back up because I can't sleep, and yes I know I sound like an old lady. I have a gut feeling from the issues from surgery and my bodies reaction I'll have to go on meds again. The closer I get to my appointment I think about it even more. I've also started having migraines and headaches since my last lap.
I realize that I already am doing a lot but is there anything else anyone has tried and it helped? Anything at all. I would literally shave my head and only shower once a week if it would help. I can't stand the thought of being on the bench for at least another 6 months but if my levels are way off I may have to. Any one else with additional health problems that you struggle with that aren't IF but keep kicking your butt?
I feel like Alice in Wonderland chasing the white rabbit. At what point do you decide to "come back" to reality and stop chasing your tail TTC? I think I'm just sick of BFN and it makes the sleepless nights feel like it's something I'm choosing.
Since I've been TTC since Dec 2011 I haven't been on meds for my lupus or fibromyalgia for over 3.5 years; that includes sleeping aids.
My Rheumatologist put me on 5 mg Felxeril about 6 months ago. It doesn't really help but it is the only thing that he and my RE we're comfortable having me take while TTC and that's the max dosage they'll consider as well. With my chronic pain/fatague etc. my Rheumotologist says it's hard to tell if the pain/fatigue cause the insomnia or the other way around. The one thing that is know for certain is that it cycles, one fuels the either.
I've used and attempted the use of Lunesta, Ambien, 150 mg Trazadone, high doses of Xanax, Flexeril and other muscle relaxers. The one thing that helped the most was the Trazadone (all were prescribed). I also take 2100-2400 mg Ibuprofen daily (as prescribed).
I've made what I consider big lifestyle changes over 5 years ago and stick to them. The bed is for intimate time and sleep only (I have a reading chair in the bedroom if I want to read and NO TV in the bedroom), diet changes: including not eating at least 1 hour before bed, limiting alcohol use to maximum 3 nights per week, omitting as much processed food as possible, no caffeine after noon. I exercise at least 3 day per week but I never after 2 hours before bedtime. I drink 1-2 cups Yogi Bedtime tea (other brands don't seem to help as much). I stick to a routine as much as possible including stretching before bed and the times I go to sleep and wake up.
I was wondering if others have this struggle too. I'm stressed that at my next Rhuematologist appointment the 2nd week in February that BW will come back and/or he'll essentially have to put me on meds to straighten me out (this is always for a minimum of 6 months - 1 year).
I was wondering if any other have struggled with insomnia and sleep issues and what yo do to cope. When I was first TTC I figured it won't be a big deal since we'd try for a few months, get KU and then meds would be a possibility (ha! a few months, I actually believed that). I feel that I'm struggling more than I have been and maybe it was the stress of 2 laps and the massive work my RE did in less than 2 months or just the stress of life. I went to bed at 8:30 pm tonight and am now back up because I can't sleep, and yes I know I sound like an old lady. I have a gut feeling from the issues from surgery and my bodies reaction I'll have to go on meds again. The closer I get to my appointment I think about it even more. I've also started having migraines and headaches since my last lap.
I realize that I already am doing a lot but is there anything else anyone has tried and it helped? Anything at all. I would literally shave my head and only shower once a week if it would help. I can't stand the thought of being on the bench for at least another 6 months but if my levels are way off I may have to. Any one else with additional health problems that you struggle with that aren't IF but keep kicking your butt?
I feel like Alice in Wonderland chasing the white rabbit. At what point do you decide to "come back" to reality and stop chasing your tail TTC? I think I'm just sick of BFN and it makes the sleepless nights feel like it's something I'm choosing.
