Restlessness!

[jen673]

I have noticed more and more that I am restless at night.  Can't seem to stay still or sleep.  Kinda feels like I am doped up on Sudafed.  Lol.  Anyhow, I was wondering from the rest of you if this a single symptom, or is it more likely that I could be depressed?  I do feel worried, irritable, and have a lower self esteem.  I don't have this every night, but occasionally.  Any thoughts?

Jeny

[Khiba]

For sleep, look into melatonin, tryptophan or 5 HTP. (if you are not on an SSRI for the last too) I found that taking tryptophan during the day and then just before I go to bed helps me sleep all night long. I do wake up with a really really full bladder in the morning tho.

There are other herbal concoctions that are made to help sleep also. Some include hops, passionflower and valerian.

[Sumanadevii]

I rarely sleep more than three,,,four hours tops.  Pain wakes me.  I just can't stay in that position too long.  I keep a pillow and light blanket on my dining room table.  I put my head down, cover my shoulders and usually get another two hours before waking again.  I do take a two hour nap each day.  Maybe that interfers but I refuse to give that up or I am a mess at night.

MS *****.  Big time!!

[angela5674]

Granny, I'm like you...I HAVE to be almost out already before I can even think of going to my bed.  If I'm not, then I just lay there...and lay there...and lay there.  I take Ambien, plus my pain pill and muscle relaxer and sometimes even all of that doesn't get me tired enough.  And if I don't go right to bed when I'm "nodding off," then I'm awake again.  It's like I have a 20 minute time span where I have to make sure I go to bed!  

My problem has been waking up in the middle night having to go to the bathroom.  EVERY NIGHT!  This happens at least once, but sometimes multiple times.  It doesn't seem to matter whether I minimize liquids or not.  Sleep is NOT my friend!

I will have to say that I actually got 8 1/2 hours of sleep last night for the first time in I can't even remember how long.  I was so excited this morning.  Usually I get no more than 5, maybe 6, and then I end up taking a nap during the day.  We'll see how I do today with energy.  I've started taking Adderall too and have been on that since Tuesday.  That has seemed to really help with not having to take a nap during the day.  I take it first thing in the morning so I haven't noticed a difference in it affecting my sleep at night.  That was a problem long before the Adderall anyway!

[jen673]

Granny - I have trouble staying asleep too!  Man when I was on my neurontin, I slept like a baby.  Almost tempting to go back on it! Lol.  

Hopefully if I try to stop napping, I can sleep better.  A little walk and some tylenol helped last night.  

Thanks ladies!

Jeny

[karione]

I sometimes feel restless at night before bed.  I usually do a few stretching exercises and pace a bit which enables me to get to sleep.

  After that I usually wake up in half an hour.  Staying asleep is a problem for me too.  I usually get up and pace back and forth in my kitchen for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then I can usually sleep until 4:30.  Sometimes I get up and pace again, it is the only thing that works for me.

  I occasionally take 1/2 of an Ambien which helps me get to sleep a bit faster but it doesn't help me stay asleep.

I refer to all this as my 'night time adventures' and as inconvenient as it seems, the pacing really does work for me.

[grannyhotwheels]

Hi Jenny,

I also have trouble with restlessness at night... I have to be almost falling out of my chair before I can go to bed and sleep... If I go to bed at a set time every night I will toss, turn, jerk, and do just about anything to keep myself awake... But if I wait til my eyes wont stay open I do okay...

Staying asleep is a whole other story... I probably wake up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours... Sometimes I can go right back to sleep and other times I have to get up for a while... I've tried taking my meds 100 different ways thinking that may be the problem but nothing seems to make a difference...

I used to nap on and off during the day but I rarely do that any more... I will do this for a month or so straight and then I guess when my body has finally worn itself completely down I will sleep for like 12 or more hours straight... It's a crazy cycle but such is the life in a day at the Granny's house...lol

I'll be praying,
Carol

[LisaJF]

Restlessness can come from many factors, such as medications, stress or could be from MS? I think I've read that most MS'ers have problems with sleeping more than having too much sleep.  You don't appear depressed from your past posts that I've seen.  You sound chipper, happy-go-lucky and someone who takes the "bull by its horns" type person.  Although, here on a forum, text can be deceiving.  I have no idea what you go through on a daily basis nor do I know your support systems.  

When you go back to your Neurologist, I would mention the restlessness if you should continue on with your dilemma.  Lack of sleep doesn't help one function for the day and can exacerbate symptoms if you're overly fatigued.

Lisa