Flare Triggers: Sleep
Sleep can be difficult when you are in pain, but the lack of sleep can trigger an RA flare in some people. It can feel like a vicious cycle! What do you do to sleep better? What have you found helps when you are struggling to get enough shut eye?
My sleep strategy consists of multiple things.
1) A memory foam mattress or pad. I also live with fibromyalgia, so the memory foam is my best friend.
2) Thanks to a dentist who referred me for a sleep study after seeing that I was grinding my teeth, I sleep much better. I have significant sleep apnea and my CPAP has changed my life. I no longer have afternoon fatigue.
3) I set a regular bedtime. (My dog lets me know if I stay up too late!).
4) I switch to reading about an hour before bed. This allows my mind to quiet.
5) No caffeine after 12 noon.
6) When I am having a pain flare, I use Delta-8 Hemp gummies. These relieve my pain and assist with sleep. I no longer need narcotics.
7) I stay hydrated throughout the day.
😎 A ceiling fan over my bed keeps me from getting too hot.
9) 2 extra blankets over my feet keep my toes from getting cold without the constriction of socks.
10) A pillow made of shredded memory foam. It conforms to my head and neck without causing pressure.
11) A positive attitude, grateful heart, and prayer.
I hope these ideas will help others.
Blessings,
Mary Sophia
need more info on Delta 8 gummies for pain. I live in Canada so products have different names and strengths, so your help would be appreciated. Also, no idea what evening oil is. See below, community Member8c13d ,
I take a Delta-8 gummy with 25mg THC. I buy mine at a local store (not a gas station!) that features local products. I felt most comfortable having a local place that understood I wanted pain relief, not a high. I usually only take a half. If my flare is bad, I will take a whole.
Evening primrose oil is a supplement. I take it in capsules, 1000mg twice a day. It helps with hot flashes.
Hope this info helps!
Mary Sophia
I just take a delta gummy about 930pm and I'm out by 1130pm. Muscle relaxers, OTC sleep aids and narcotic pain pills do nothing to help me. I also have degenerative disc disease. Without a gummy, it feels like a bad back spasm in every single joint in my body. Not sure why that happens, but it definitely makes for a hard time sleeping
It's is what it is...I often read many post of Soo many who suffer...all I can do is pray... 🙏 For the pain to be relieved to give them a break to restore themselves only to fight another day...That's why any one fighting Lupus, cancer whatever it's is they have to fight each day hour or minutes for, are Freaking Warriors!! But even Warrior's fall...but we get back up... staggering a bit, but we get back up. Some days can be a struggle just to get back up...but we don't give up...I don't think we know how to just pay down...We just slowly get back up no matter how beaten down we are...
We Are Warriors!!!
🤗
Hi
. As I read your post I couldn't help but think of this article from our contributor Daniel on coping with RA and I suspect you will have an appreciation for it: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/personal-approach-coping. Best, Richard (Team Member)
I spread Voltaren over alll the painful areas and hope I fall asleep before it wears off. I try to get as much exercise as I can so I am tired enough when I go to bed.
I use Voltaren too, and I find it helps a lot when I use a wrap over it. Exercise is the best thing for pain management, contrary to what we were told in the past. Movement is our joints lotion! Thanks for sharing. -Effie, team member Hi
. My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), has also become a convert to the Voltaren at night. She also has a muscle oil that she uses. She uses the Voltaren for pain, in particular that feels like it is going to the bone, and the oil for sore and tired muscles (she's a big believer, like Effie, in the exercise - although sometimes the soreness/tiredness just comes). Best, Richard (Team Member)
I found I can get 6-7 hrs. of uninterrupted sleep when I take magnesium glycinate 1-2 hrs. before bedtime. When I forget, it's back to 2-4 hrs. max. Also, I've found frankincense oil to be helpful on spicy joints and cranky nerves. I dilute it in vit. E oil, and spray/ rub it in. Smells great and takes the edge off. Hope you can sleep well!
That’s awesome to hear! Magnesium glycinate is great for sleep—it's gentle on the stomach too. Thanks for sharing these tips—getting good sleep really does make a difference! -Latoya (Team Member) Magnesium glycinate is very helpful. I take it myself personally as that form of magnesium is known to actually help with sleep. I love franckincense, and also lavender for relaxation and pain. Thanks so much for taking the time to share! -Effie, team member
