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As we warriors know, falling asleep and sometimes staying asleep when we have a chronic illness like fibromyalgia can be somewhat impossible. We are so extremely tired but our brains cannot switch off, our body won’t stop twitching and no matter how many sheep we count we just cannot drop off!
Well, look no further, as today I will talk you through my top tips on how to sleep when you have fibromyalgia. This could also apply to other chronic illnesses, too.
Medication
Now, I know this is not everyone’s cup of tea and of course any medication you take should be discussed with your doctor but I decided that it was best for me to take Amitriptyline at night to help me to sleep. I am only of 20mg but I find that without it, I cannot drop off and I have an even worse night sleep and wake up feeling more awful. It can sometimes leave me a little groggy in the morning but for me it works. I am in no way medically trained to give you advice but all I can offer you is my personal experience.
For those of you who are interested, here is a link that discusses Amitriptyline in more detail. It is primarily a medication to help pain and migraines. I have the tablet form but it can come in liquid form. It is also a useful medication for treating depression. The advice is to take it before bedtime but I find the best time to take it for me is around 6:30 p.m-7:30 p.m. to help me fall asleep around 10:00 p.m-11:00p.m.
Eye mask
This is a very simple piece of equipment but is something that is so helpful for me. I actually cannot sleep without it so I have 2 just in case I lose another! It helps block out any light and generally gives me such a better night sleep. Although not primarily for fibromyalgia sufferers, it has really helped me and it is something I would recommend to everyone regardless of whether you have fibromyalgia or not. Psychologically, it is also a good indicator to my brain that when I put this on, it is time for bed.
*p.s Here’s a link to some eye masks on Amazon that you could purchase. At no extra cost to you, if you use my link I could earn a small commission. 🙂
Hot water bottle
I have mentioned the numerous benefits of a hot water bottle in previous posts but I’d like to reiterate it here as a sleep aid. For me, it helps with lower back pain and helps me to fall asleep faster. Again, it works as an indicator to my body that hot water bottle = sleep and keeps me warm and toasty especially during the winter. Saying that, I do use it during the summer too as I can’t sleep without it. I’m a creature of habit!
*p.s If you haven’t got one already, here’s a link to a hot water bottle on Amazon that has a super soft cover. At no extra cost to you, if you use my link I could earn a small commission. 🙂
Full length body pillow
As I sleep on my side a lot, I can often feel a lot of pressure on my legs and knees and back from keeping them together in this position. So, I invested in a full length body pillow which I’ve had for years now. Primarily, they are to help pregnant women and mine was super useful during pregnancy but I find it really helps me to get comfortable and alleviate any pain or discomfort from my sleeping position. So much so, my husband constantly tries to steal it!
*p.s. I purchased my body pillow from Amazon! This one is super comfy and comes with a replaceable and washable cover. If you purchase through my link, at no extra charge for you, I earn a small commission.
Heated blanket
Before pregnancy and bed sharing, I used to sleep with an electric blanket on as heat really helps with alleviating my pain. However during these times I had to stop using it for safety reasons. I do though thoroughly suggest investing in one if you haven’t already. It’s like being wrapped up in a cocoon.
*p.s. To save you trawling the internet, here’s a link to a comfort control electric blanket on Amazon! At no extra cost to you, if you use my link, I earn a small commission.
And there you have it, my top 5 tips on how to sleep when you have fibromyalgia or other chronic conditions. Although I have included affiliate links to products, please do not think that my opinions are not my own. These 5 things are genuinely what I do every night before bed and I wouldn’t be without them. I have joined the Amazon affiliate scheme just to try and earn a small amount of money on the free content I offer. I hope you understand 🙂
Mummy the Fibro Warrior Top Tip:
- Invest in some sleeping aids that will help you to feel a little more refreshed and less like a zombie!
If there is one takeaway I’d like you all to remember today is that when we have a chronic illness like fibromyalgia, sleep can often not be an easy thing to find. However, with a little bit of trial and error you can find things that will help you to drift off to sleep peacefully and hopefully in less pain. I need you to know you are doing the bets you can, your child/children loves you just as you are and you are Mummy the Fibro Warrior!
Until next time,
x
p.s. What tips do you have for falling to sleep and staying asleep when you have fibromyalgia? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
