This winter was not good. There were a few mornings when I would try to sit up in bed..

And nothing would happen. O-kay, let's roll on our side and try that. Gotta move the arms to do that, though.

A little scary. Much better the last two months. I have no idea why.

Mornings are the absolute worst part of the day. I feel fine when I wake up and don't move. I might say I feel normal those fleeting moments before i move a muscle. Getting out of bed has to be the hardest thing I do every day. putting weight on my feet is the next hardest. my feet feel like they are going to pull themselves apart as my body weight tries to flatten them against the floor. and also as they stretch as I try to walk. I usually walk on the outside edges of my feet for at least the first 15 minutes of the day just to get to the bathroom.

sometimes i wish i had ropes hanging from the ceiling over my bed with rings tied to the ends just to help me get up off my back.

I have given up the bed for a futon. the futon with the seat sloping slightly towards the back, and the back in a semi reclined, perhaps two notches from upright is most comfortable for me. allows me to sleep on my side while allowing me to have my knees straight. a little harder to get out of, but the nights are a lot better.

It is a new day every morning and each day brings something new!
Mary Ann

Yesterday was the worst day I've had in a while. I woke up extremely sore and moved around like I was 90 all day. I kept having painful muscle cramps and twitches in my arms and legs and was generally miserable. I woke up this morning a little sore, but then it worked its way out. You never know what each day will bring.

I have found that on days that I did not get enough sleep and I am very tired are the days my pain medication seems to work the best and I can manage to get some things done. But I have to drag myself around tired all day. Its not hard to have one of these days as my sleep is so screwed up. Like this morning. Ive been up all night because I was active all day friday. I fell asleep in my chair while having a snack and then around midnight I made it to bed and slept until late afternoon
saturday but did not stay up and slept until 8pm. Now Ive been up all night and am starting to feel drowsy. Its 5am and I will remain up and will probably be able to get more done. If I dare to go to bed I will probably sleep until afternoon.

Mornings are the worst for me as well. Muscle soreness and stiffness seems to be the worst in the early part of the day and then it tapers off. I actually consistently feel better after 5pm every day and that is when I usually do any type of exercise. If I am active on day one the next two days are bad especially in the morning. Twitching in the calf muscles stays about the same but I do get arm and eye twitches as an after effect of overdoing it.

know exactly what your saying. weird about the early evening being the best. even with my off sleep schedule.

What do your doctors say that is causes all these issues? I am with all of you with this disorder. I am never rested. Is there anything we can do?

Gail4855, They just say it's the MCTD causing the swelling and pain. If you complain too much, you get new med to try! LOL! So exhausting and frustrating. Each new symptom or pain, I'm like, do I go to the doctor, or this just my auto immune disease causing me problems again....Sigh.