Fibromyalgia Support Group

As a pharmacy tech student, I was told that the only medication that promotes the normal sleep pattern is melatonin. I take 10 mg every night with my ambien. Ambien has always let me fall asleep, but I'd wake up 3-4 hours later. Since starting the Melatonin I feel more rested in the morning, and usually sleep through the night. You can get it anywhere that sells supplements. I've tried the sublingual, but they take too long to dissolve. I've also tried continuous release. The 10mg capsules work best for me.

I am seeing multiple doctors to try to feel better. My sleep study shows mild to moderate sleep apnea and I also do not go into the rem cycle. One of my Dr's explained to me that fibro is basically a sleep disorder. We are so tired and in so much pain because we don't get into the rem state, which is were your body repairs itself. Another of my dr's a pain management and rehab doc prescribes Trazadone for me which is used for sleeping as well as depression. He has to adjust my dosage every so often, but I am starting to feel a little better. I also go to physical therapy, accupucture, and biofeedback trying to learn how to relax. Most people might find that strange that I don't know how to relax but I suspect alot of you will understand!

I've been diagnosed with FM for about three years now and my doctor has me on a low dose of Elavil at bedtime. It's been shown to make it possible to get into the forth stage of restorative sleep that our bodies need to heal. Although I wake up a little groggy, it sure beats having to lay there for awhile because of all the soreness before I can actually put my feet on the floor and get up!

I heard once a long time ago that your body will sleep the hours it requires. So I wouldn't be surprised that you sleep 12-14 hours. I do too and if I wake up earlier I feel drawn out and tired. Unless that is I wake up on my own early then I feel great.

So I guess that every person needs their own sleep schedules individually tailored to themselves.

i've also heard tell that if you take a healthy person and remove them from rem sleep, by awakening them every hour or so, they, too, will have fibro symptoms after a few days. so yes, i do agree it's a sleep disorder. now i want to know if fms is caused by a retrovirus. if so maybe we can be cured of this, or treated with antivirals and have a better life.

I asked the doc about FM being caused by a virus and his answer was 'most certainly it could'. The problem is that there are thousands of virus' and the cost and manpower it would take to narrow it down. Secondly virus' mutate and what may cure one may not cure another, thus the cost factor comes into play again.

The cause can also be from any number of other things too. Me, personally, I think it's related to an autoimmune disease.

Thank you EVERYONE for sharing your stories and letting me know that I'm not alone. I can truly see how common this is with Fibro. The last 3 nights I have gotten 9 hours of sleep or less which means I have not reached any REM sleep. I can usually tell too because when I get my good 12-14 hours of sleep I always wake up remembering a dream and less than 9 I never remember a dream. They said because less than 9 hours of sleep I am possibly not dreaming most likely because I don't ever hit the REM sleep before 9 or 10 hours of sleep. I am beyond exhausted and haven't done much homework in over a week. I tried doing some research today and I couldn't comprehend the assignment. It's like I've lost the ability to think on a college level. OH CRAP that's not good cause I'm in college. LOL I have to laugh about that. HA HA. Anyways, thanks to everyone I really appreciate your guidance and support. Happy sleeping and gentle hugs!

Fibro fog - I just hate it. But you're right, when the body doesn't get enough sleep you sure can tell. Me, I wake up with a headache, sometimes a migraine and I hurt worse each day without sleep.

I've also always had trouble with getting enough rest. My doctor ordered a sleep study last week- and I didn't want to do it- because I felt like it was another thing to pay for and what will fix it anyway? After reading this post though, I think I'll do it to see what is really going on- maybe there's something my doc can do, I don't know. Usually, if I take a nap or sleep really long hours I'll have energy and feel better- this weekend has shown me that resting a lot doesn't necessarily make me feel better- I'm achy and weak like crazy anyway- all weekend- and did nothing!

I have tried every prescription product on the market for insomnia and none of them worked; my cousin referred me to the web site narcomundo.com there I purchased a package of Somatize. I tried one serving and I was a sleep in 20 minutes and after using it for 3 nights I did not need it anymore. I am not joking!

http://www.narcomundo.com/legal-dr...