Fibromyalgia Support Group
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It has been very difficult to wake up in the mornings and indeed, checking on my Up (movement bracelet) I found that during the past two weeks I have slept an average of 50 more minutes of deep sleep than I did in July. So, it's not my imagination. I am also more tired.
I am trying to figure out why this difference, but it is not easy because there are many possibilities. 1) Days are shorter and I get less exposure to daylight. In July I would go down to the beach almost every day after work , walk in the ocean, float a little, and sit out there talking with friends. Ocean is now too cold and I have not been exercising as much. 2) Maybe it's the exercise. But, then again, I was taking meloxicam (anti-inflammatory) 3) . I weaned off and I'm OK, but I am more sluggish/heavy. 4) Maybe it's just the benefit of being in salt water. I can't test that because dumb me remodeled the bathroom and switched the tub for a shower (before fibro). Also, I have to sleep on my back because my hip hurts otherwise, so maybe it's 5) sleep apnea? Then again, if I run my hand over my arms with a little pressure, or my back, or my legs.. 6) I am more achy all over than I remember, so maybe that muscle tension/whatever it is might be making me more tired?
Suggestions? Give it a shot. Ideas on how to test for possible causes?
I am trying to figure out why this difference, but it is not easy because there are many possibilities. 1) Days are shorter and I get less exposure to daylight. In July I would go down to the beach almost every day after work , walk in the ocean, float a little, and sit out there talking with friends. Ocean is now too cold and I have not been exercising as much. 2) Maybe it's the exercise. But, then again, I was taking meloxicam (anti-inflammatory) 3) . I weaned off and I'm OK, but I am more sluggish/heavy. 4) Maybe it's just the benefit of being in salt water. I can't test that because dumb me remodeled the bathroom and switched the tub for a shower (before fibro). Also, I have to sleep on my back because my hip hurts otherwise, so maybe it's 5) sleep apnea? Then again, if I run my hand over my arms with a little pressure, or my back, or my legs.. 6) I am more achy all over than I remember, so maybe that muscle tension/whatever it is might be making me more tired?
Suggestions? Give it a shot. Ideas on how to test for possible causes?
I do know in the winter time I always start taking a low dose of vitamin D as I know I do not get as much exposure to the sun, but I really honestly do not see that it helps much, just do it because doc suggested it!
I am assuming with me , when I start to hurt I lay down so I stop hurting and the only time I do not hurt is when I am sleeping so I sleep all the time so I do not hurt anymore!
I personally hate sleeping all the time, but I do not know what to do about being tired in the afternoon. I try to stay busy, but maybe it is a combo for me anyhow of pain and boredom!
I am just tired of hurting and tired of sleeping my life away!
Good luck to you
Nice to meet you.
Sleep: I used to be like you. I had a hard time falling asleep, but once sleeping, I swear I could sleep my life away. I usually did not wake up until the pain got too bad and I could not sleep anymore. then I would climb out of bed planning when I could get a nap in during the day.
I first had my Vitamin D levels tested and found that I was very low. During the year, except in the Summer, I take 6,000 IU of Vitamin D3 everyday. It has made a big difference.
Second, I had my thyroid tested and found that, although I was in the "normal range", I was just at the beginning of the Technical Normal range. My doctor started me on Synthroid, which is a synthetic hormone. It has changed my life.
I had forgotten what it felt like not to be fatigued all of the time. Now I have normal tiredness at appropriate times and have energy again.
Just some suggestions.
UP is a bracelet that monitors movement and so it measures steps and stages of sleep. It is made by a company named Jawbone and it syncs on an iphone. I don't know if it works on other types of phones. It also works with various other aps such as My Fitness Pal. You can buy it at the Apple store or online. I love mine and wear it all the time except when I am going into the ocean or the shower (although supposedly you can shower with it). It helps me to make connections between what I do and how I feel and to make sure I exercise enough (and not too much).