Insomnia
11-03-2018, 09:52 AM
#31
Apologies to Lainey who started the "Wee Hours" thread years ago. But that thread is just about saying good morning now and has nothing to do with insomnia or just finding yourself awake in the middle of the night. I find that as I age I have difficulty staying asleep, or falling back to sleep after a late night nature call. I think the problem is a bit better with exercise, but not much.
In a couple of weeks I'm having an at-home sleep study and I expect I'll receive a sleep apnea diagnoses and end up with CPAP machine. I shouldn't pre-judge it, but I'm concerned that I won't be abe to sleep with a mask on my face, either. We'll see.
Anyway, I thought I'd start a thread on this subject and see if others suffer from insomnia, apnea or other sleep disorders.
In a couple of weeks I'm having an at-home sleep study and I expect I'll receive a sleep apnea diagnoses and end up with CPAP machine. I shouldn't pre-judge it, but I'm concerned that I won't be abe to sleep with a mask on my face, either. We'll see.
Anyway, I thought I'd start a thread on this subject and see if others suffer from insomnia, apnea or other sleep disorders.
11-03-2018, 10:16 AM
#32
Patricia, I waited 4 months to see an RA specialist, thinking all along I would cancel the appointment because I have worn out joints not RA but I am willing to look for answers anywhere. The appointment was for my "neck and shoulders" but when he asked where I hurt the most it was neither of those places. My GP was totally confused but he wasn't dealing with my pain.
If you want to compare notes,
I've known about my neck issues for decades - - spurs and cervical spondylitis with occasional severe pain with restricted movement. So I am sure the "C" group is well represented in my occasional pain, but over time (as of now), I get through it.
No way am I going under a knife for my neck.
As for the shoulders, I was told almost 15 years ago both were worn out and damaged
enough to be replaced. But I’ve over come the pain enough to live with it.
But this lower spine and hip pain is unlike anything else I had to deal with. God, I'd give anything if I could take normal pain relievers such as Motrin, Advil, Tylenol, etc.
but I get seriously sick trying any of them.
My GP finally agreed I am one of the unlucky ones who can not take them.
My research suggests there is no convincing evidence that acupuncture is
effective in back pain but I am willing to try just about anything at this stage.
If I lived in CO I know I be standing in line for medical marijuana, which seems
an option. I have an idea where I can get it illegally here and that may be next.
I was thinking of asking you how you handled your issues because you've mentioned them in the past. I know you are a fighter and I'd like to think I am as well.
If you want to compare notes,
I've known about my neck issues for decades - - spurs and cervical spondylitis with occasional severe pain with restricted movement. So I am sure the "C" group is well represented in my occasional pain, but over time (as of now), I get through it.
No way am I going under a knife for my neck.
As for the shoulders, I was told almost 15 years ago both were worn out and damaged
enough to be replaced. But I’ve over come the pain enough to live with it.
But this lower spine and hip pain is unlike anything else I had to deal with. God, I'd give anything if I could take normal pain relievers such as Motrin, Advil, Tylenol, etc.
but I get seriously sick trying any of them.
My GP finally agreed I am one of the unlucky ones who can not take them.
My research suggests there is no convincing evidence that acupuncture is
effective in back pain but I am willing to try just about anything at this stage.
If I lived in CO I know I be standing in line for medical marijuana, which seems
an option. I have an idea where I can get it illegally here and that may be next.
I was thinking of asking you how you handled your issues because you've mentioned them in the past. I know you are a fighter and I'd like to think I am as well.
Have you had an MRI on your back? I'm sure that's what you need to see what's going on in there. What a bummer that meds make you sick!! If I skip Advil my neck tells me within 4 hours. I'm no expert on medicinal marijuana but I do know the stuff people take or rub on for pain is not the kind that gets you high. It's supposed to work great.
My L4 L5 is a mess and a surgeon told me he could do surgery but that it might just move the problem up the spine, stressing out higher discs and vertebrae. He had the neck xrays done that the recent ortho doctor saw and told me about. I'm actually doing good now. My back was super sore when I rode my ElliptiGO longer distances and more often, but since moving to Colorado I ride less and the low back only hurts when I stand or lift too much. I'll wear a back brace to help. Washing a car is sure to cause pain. The good old days of washing and waxing a car are gone with along with running. I'm so glad I can still ride. My body needs the motion to not get stiff.
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dlq04 (11-04-2018)
11-03-2018, 12:09 PM
#33
I take 1 small Sleep Aid tablet 1/2 hour before bedtime and sleep like a log. No nature calls in the middle of the night and I wake up around 7 totally refreshed, I get them at Costco and have been taking them for years. Very inexpensive with no side effects at all.
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dlq04 (11-04-2018)
11-04-2018, 01:52 AM
#34
The RA doctor I saw never sent my doctor or me a follow-up report. I have no idea why not. Thankfully the back X-rays told us what is going on. Since I didn’t bond with the RA doctor I didn’t care to ever see him again. I have osteoarthritis so I didn't really expect rheumatoid solution unless they have something that works for both types.
A retired doctor friend could not understand why there was no follow-up MRI. Perhaps the issue is the metal in my hip replacement. I spoke to my personal doctor about it and he said he could order one but felt it might get rejected. TBD.
One of my best friends gets Enbrel shots every week or two - a lifesaver for her. I was hoping to try that. How often do you get shots? Is that something only for rheumatoid? I can see any doctor I want but I have no idea who. I would want one less than an hour away if I had to get shots regularly. I need to research this more.
Medical marijuana sounds wonderful. Recreational marijuana is on Tuesday’s ballot in MI. I sure hope is passes. There are a few state approved medical marijuana shops in MI. As far as know, the nearest is a couple hours away. I would have to find a doctor to write a script for it; probably not that hard to find. I need to research more.
I know I have to keep moving when the pain level will allow it. I have been wearing a back brace now whenever I do any type of yard work.
The severity of my pain is about half of what it was perhaps a week ago. So maybe now I can spend time on the pc researching. Prior the pain was so bad I couldn't do it.
I want to thank everyone for their input. Bill, sorry to go off topic. Sleep well my friend.
A retired doctor friend could not understand why there was no follow-up MRI. Perhaps the issue is the metal in my hip replacement. I spoke to my personal doctor about it and he said he could order one but felt it might get rejected. TBD.
One of my best friends gets Enbrel shots every week or two - a lifesaver for her. I was hoping to try that. How often do you get shots? Is that something only for rheumatoid? I can see any doctor I want but I have no idea who. I would want one less than an hour away if I had to get shots regularly. I need to research this more.
Medical marijuana sounds wonderful. Recreational marijuana is on Tuesday’s ballot in MI. I sure hope is passes. There are a few state approved medical marijuana shops in MI. As far as know, the nearest is a couple hours away. I would have to find a doctor to write a script for it; probably not that hard to find. I need to research more.
I know I have to keep moving when the pain level will allow it. I have been wearing a back brace now whenever I do any type of yard work.
The severity of my pain is about half of what it was perhaps a week ago. So maybe now I can spend time on the pc researching. Prior the pain was so bad I couldn't do it.
I want to thank everyone for their input. Bill, sorry to go off topic. Sleep well my friend.
Last edited by dlq04; 11-04-2018 at 03:40 AM.
11-04-2018, 04:51 AM
#35
Hah Dave I hated the first RA doctor I went too.
In one regard he was right. I don't have RA, He told me I was just fat and out of shape.
of course I felt worlds better once I had that stent put in for the 95% blockage a few months later.
In one regard he was right. I don't have RA, He told me I was just fat and out of shape.
of course I felt worlds better once I had that stent put in for the 95% blockage a few months later.
11-04-2018, 06:50 AM
#36
Jerry, you found an answer. Hope I can as well but not so dramatic.
11-04-2018, 07:00 AM
#37
A retired doctor friend could not understand why there was no follow-up MRI. Perhaps the issue is the metal in my hip replacement. I spoke to my personal doctor about it and he said he could order one but felt it might get rejected. TBD.
One of my best friends gets Enbrel shots every week or two - a lifesaver for her. I was hoping to try that. How often do you get shots? Is that something only for rheumatoid? I can see any doctor I want but I have no idea who. I would want one less than an hour away if I had to get shots regularly. I need to research this more.
Q: I have metal in my body from prior surgery. Can I have an MRI?
A: Most people who have metal in their body after surgery can have an MRI. For example, patients with hip or knee replacements can have an MRI six weeks after surgery. Other implanted devices require less time after surgery. Certain devices can never go into the MRI machine and these include heart pacemakers, and some implanted pumps and nerve stimulators. Some brain aneurysm clips (particularly older ones) cannot go into the scanner. If you have had any prior surgery, you must let the technologist know prior to the scan. Also, if there is any chance there may be metal in any part of your body from a prior injury or from grinding metal, please inform the technologist prior to the scan.
^I get a month's supply at a time and give myself two shots per week. Some people do one dose a week but mine is cut in half so I do two.
It's used for
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Plaque psoriasis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Graft-versus-host disease
- Hidradenitis suppurativa (severe)
11-04-2018, 07:04 AM
#38
I need to pick some of those up or bring them to CO from CA where I have some. They worked for me but made me groggy the next morning. Sometimes it's worth it, though. Last night I couldn't sleep again. My brain was running wild on stupid stuff.
11-04-2018, 07:04 AM
#39
Thanks Patricia. You are more helpful than my doctor. 
11-04-2018, 07:09 AM
#40
You're welcome, Dave. I like to ask questions here, too. Real people and real experiences beat charts even if we all have differences. I think doctors just are too far up in what they know to come down to the patient level. Well, some are just assholes but some just need to be asked the right questions.