10 years of non refreshing sleep/aches/pains

[SparkleCity]

I have been having sleep/pain issues for 10 years.  It seems that no one really knows what is going on with me but they label it fibromyalgia.  I've had tons of blood work done that didn't find anything too significant (slight hypothyroidism that is being treated, some vitamin deficiencies that have been corrected, blood sugar issues which I'm supposed to be working on through diet and exercise).

I also had a sleep study done in 2007.  It showed that even in deeper sleep, I had awake-like brain waves that intruded .  This happened hundreds of times during the night.  Most were what they labeled "spontaneous arousals", as in they were not due to sleep apnea or restless legs.  They said it seemed like chronic insomnia.  No real suggestions were given on how to overcome this.

I also have pain.  Not all the time but a lot.  Especially in my calves, hands, arms, wrists, back.   Since the sleep study, my sleep has also gotten worse.  I am concious of being awake a lot.  And the one thing that has happened everyday for 10 years is that I wake up not refreshed.  I feel so exhausted that it is hard for me to get to work.  Its a terrible fatigue and almost like a slow burn in my arms and legs.

Another thing: my bloodwork always shows elevated SED rate and C Reactive Protein...so there is inflammation in my body but we don't know where.

Does this sound like fibro or some other chronic illness that Dr's are not finding?  Is there anything else I should be getting tested for?  I'm having a 2nd sleep study next month.

I have a theory that maybe anti depressant use since age 13 casued something to become mis wired in my brain and this is the result.  I began on SSRI's so young due to severe OCD.  They worked wonders for this but I do wonder the effect of such strong medications on a developing brain.

I am on Cymbalta 120 mg which works well for depression, but hasn't helped my aches or fatigue.  Provigil/Nuvigil helped but the side effects were bad.  I've tried Melatonin, Trazodone, Chinese Herbs, Acupuncture, Gluten Free Diet....nothing has made me feel less tired and achy.  I also saw a naturopathic Dr. in town who is known for treating fibro.  She had me on a ton of supplements that didn't do much.  She also suggested the gluten free diet, which did not help.

Any insights would be helpful.  Thanks.

[charkennedy1225]

wow, you sound just like me. I have been having the same issues myself since about year 2000. I've been to every doctor and specialist around. I have a cousin in her 20's who has lupus and another cousin who developed MS in her mid twenties. This makes me think that auto immune disorders run in my family. All my test were negative though. They did find some inflammation in my blood work . My body aches all the time and I am easily fatigue. I never sleep well.  Of course the doctors thought I was depressed. I've been on Prozac, wellbutrin, Effexor and now I'm on Zoloft. I had a sleep study done last year. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea.  They said I woke up about 30 or so times during the night. They recommended the cpap, which my insurance paid for, so I thought I'd try it. ---I couldn't take it for more than a week. I felt like I was suffocating with that mask on my nose! So I decided to try to lose weight, which helped alot.
I've also tried several sleep medicines. The only one that reallly worked for me was Ambien. I know that it is not for everyone, but I do ok with it. I can usuallly get about 6 hours of sleep when I take it, which is about every other night.
Just wanted to share a little so you will know that others are going through similiar situations! You are not alone :)

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Understand your predicament. Chronic unrefreshing sleep can cause fatigue, restlessness and sometimes daytime sleepiness. The chronic pain could also be contributing to your insomnia. As you are working towards detecting sleep disorders, I would advise you to adopt good sleep hygiene measures, as they in the long run promote good sleep. To begin with, you should stop becoming anxious and try to relax. Try to have a warm bath before sleeping. Have a glass of milk or read a book before trying to sleep. Don’t watch TV or do exercise before sleeping. Condition yourself that you can relax and that you can sleep well. And adopt good sleep hygiene measures like going to bed at the same time, waking up at the same time, avoidance of alcohol, smoking and caffeinated beverages. Maintain warm, comfortable bedroom environment and engage in relaxing activities like a warm bath before bed time. Also, keep yourself busy during the day and avoid day time naps. Exercise in the mornings, this promotes good sleep.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.