A Question For People With MS

[Steven Y Park, MD]

Dr. Park here from the sleep-breathing forum. I answered Laura's question about sleep and MS here:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/756264

I'm taking an informal poll for people with known MS:

What's your favorite sleep position? Is it your back, side or stomach?

After I tally up the results, I'll give you the reason that I ask.

[rendean]

Sleep position -side

[Auspiciousme]

either side

[mae1]

unfortunately I can only sleep on my back now.
I wake up with painful numbness if I sleep any other way...
April

[cuttersmom]

Start on my stomach, but I think I end up on either side.

[ShadowsSister]

Since 1997 I have had to sleep on a recliner, due to spasms when I try to lay down. I am at a slight angle, not quite in an up-right position. Spasms are so much worse when my body starts to relax. Sleep is mostly cat-naps

[Mand125]

Start on my stomach but end up on either side.

[Eyesnlegs]

dx with mild MS last December - intermittent sleep problems - mainly sleep on my right side due to bicep tendinosis on left side from the falls.... and my partner snores quite a bit and yes my Dad did too!!

Congrats on the new baby

It will be interesting to see your discussion about this poll

Regards
Pat

[Steven Y Park, MD]

mae1 and ShadowsSister,

When you were younger, did you used to sleep on your side or stomach?

[sayadia]

I use to sleep on my side and still try to. Can only lay on right side due to pain on left.. mostly only sleep on my back tho. Arms go numb on my sides. I have herniated discs in my neck. Those more than my ms dictate my sleep I think

[sllowe]

Hi Dr. Park - Welcome!

My favorite sleep position: Back

I'm excited to hear what you have to say about this!

-Shelly
dx'd in 07

[sunshine8]

Side would be my first choice, but back is a close second. Never stomach.


-Amy
RRMS dx'd Oct 08

[essdipity]

I sleep in all positions but side is first choice.

ess

[airyona]

I sleep on my stomach, choke if I'm on my back.


Airyona

[brin]

On either side

[Steven Y Park, MD]

Very interesting....

Anyone else?

For the few of you who sleep on your backs, did you always do so even when you were younger?

[sllowe]

It's me, fellow back sleeper.

I'm not sure, but remember mostly, yes.  I remember waking on my stomach, or my side, but child bearing years changed that (started at age 20), and I've never went back.  I do wake at times on my side.

Thanks again!

Who else? We have a dx'd thread that we can resort to if need be to get more participation.  

[Lulu54]

Hi Dr. Park,
Thanks for wandering off your expert forum and coming to visit us here.  As you are seeing from the response to your question, we have a very engaged community.  

For you question, I used to sleep on my side, curled in a fetal postion almost - and usually my left side.  I can remember sleeping like that as a child because I shared a doulbe bed with my sister and I always took the blankets off of her!

For the past few years I have been a back sleeper, mainly.  But do find myself tossing more these days and shifting from back to side to side to stay comfortable with the assorted body aches through the night.

I'll be looking forward to your explanation,
Laura/aka Lulu

[BOK2Bjan]

Now - right side in a sitting position.  As a child, back.  I have Sleep Apnea (Central and Obstructive), and Sys. Scl. w/ sleroderma esophagus, Barrett's & hyatal hernia.  I aspirate gastric contents when sleeping. MS treatment Copaxone - causing such painful welts, hard to sleep on side of injection.  Sorry too long.  Jan

[Khiba]

Sleep on back and never move a muscle until I wake up. Can sleep on right side sometimes for a little while. Left side bothers my stomach. Grew up as a stomach sleeper.

Khiba

[lmax0021]

Hi Doc

I go to sleep on sides but quite frequently wake up on back.

Robin

[Rena705]

Diagnosed in 1993...right side when falling asleep, awaken on either right or left side...never sleep on back or stomach.

[ChunkyMonkeysMommy]

I have what is apparently permanent damage in my left leg from a previous relapse. After going all day on it, when I try to go to bed it is very painful. I've found that I get the most relief lying on my left side, with that leg stretched out as straight as possible. Once I've slept that way for a while, I can roll to my right side or back. However, I'm currently in relapse mode (yay) and my upper back is killing me. I've found that lying on my back makes it even worse. It may not feel so bad at the time, but the pain is so much worse when I get up in the morning. Nothing like that back-crushing/burning feeling to wake you up in the morning. It's not exactly like a nice cup of coffee, but it's definitely eye-opening. My last relapse was like this also. They found a lesion on my spine that time. I'm guessing that this is hitting near the same spot as it has also made my leg pain worse.

Anxious to see the results of your poll! :)

[AmishErin]

I sleep on my right side.  Unless I am very very tired then I fall asleep in any posistion that I happen to be in.

If I choose to go to sleep though... it is on my right side

[opie74]

I usually sleep on my left side.  

Before puberty, I liked my stomache.  Girls tend to out-grow that position.  Now it only gives me a crick in the neck!
  
If I lay on my back, both arms go to sleep.