Posted by Racer on May 8, 1999, at 0:17:31
In reply to Re: chronic pain, insomnia - advice?, posted by Torrey on April 27, 1999, at 4:02:13
This may not go over really well, but as a sufferer of chronic pain, I've found a few things that help me and have no medication related side effects.
1. This one came from a discussion group for the disabled: satin sheets. They encourage movement at night, so that you don't get strained from constantly lying in one position.
2. Making and keeping a distinct schedule. Go to bed at the same time every day, get up at the same time every day. Don't get into bed except at bedtime. (If I have a cold, I'll still get up and lie down on the sofa rather than in bed.) Don't get into bed to "play", no reading or talking on the telephone. Bed is to sleep. (I do read for a few minutes at bedtime, but it's timed.) This helps associate bed and rest for you, and it does help.
3. Even if you're not sleeping, stay in bed and rest, or daydream about something nice. Just "float" a bit. That way, your body has a chance to regroup.
4. Bathe at night, but shower in the morning. That seems obvious to me, but it took me years to figure it out in the first place.
5. Effexor has a weird effect on me: I have a hard time getting to sleep at night, but I'm sleepy during the day. My first three days on it, I didn't sleep at all. That was OK, though, because I was resting peacefully all night long, which I hadn't been able to do in weeks. I do think it's helped me sleep overall, though.
Good luck to you.
poster:Racer
thread:5249
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/5727.html