I take dilantin and a muscle relaxer at bedtime and I still have trouble sleeping! falling asleep is not the issue with me, it's staying asleep! Would love some answers!!

Sharon

Hey,

i just wanted to let you know that lupus patients shouldn't take celebrex. It is a sulpha drug and they can cause lupus flares. My surgeon tried to put me on it but my gp said no.

As for the sleeping. I can sleep where ever and when ever I want. This is not a good thing either. I find myself falling asleep at work or driving. I don't drive after dark anymore. Even if i'm in pain my fatigue takes over and I sleep. I usually need about 10 hours a night to function for most of the next day.

Cheers,
jenn

~szeeba~

Unfortunately, and it is well documented, that lupus patients
1) have bouts of insomnia
2) they can be *very* hard to treat.

I know when my lupus is causing the insomnia...Almost nothing works (and to be honest, I usually end up in the hospital after the 3rd or 4th day)

i do, however, have cyclobenzaprene (flexeril). I know jenn and I have discussed this before. It is a muscle relaxer and is *not* addictive like so many sleeping pills. You could ask you doctor about it and see what he/she thinks. My doctor has set it up for me to take one *every* night, because I have really bad insomnia. In fact, she used to call me the "vampire." lol!

Here is to happy sleeping!
Hugs,
ladybrannon

Is the flexeril sedating? I know that when I need a sleeping aid, it has to be very sedating for me in order for it to work.

I think that ambien is not meant to be taken every night. Maybe it's more useful as a once in a while thing? I don't know.

Thanks!

~szeeba~

Hey there,

the flexeril is a muscle relaxer. The idea is to relax your body and help you sleep. It also makes you fairly drowsy. On the warning label it tells you not to drive or anything while under the influence of it. I know a lot of people who can't take more than one a day because then they can't function. It's worth a try. Any medication you are on for long term, your body will get used to so I try not to take mine if I can manage without it.

smiles,
jenn

Jenn, as you can see, takes it, as well. It is technically a muscle relaxer, but works wonders. And she is very correct; I could not imagine *anyone* being able to drive...Even on 10mg.

I have used it for about 6 months (pretty much every night) and am just now feeling a tolerance to the 10mg...

First it relaxes you and then it does cause serious drowsiness. I also tend to get in a *hot* bath/hot tub when I take it. It is also a well known fact that raising your body temperature (slightly) about an hour before bedtime will increase the drowsy effect and help you sleep.

I hope this helps!
hugs,
ladybrannon

That's what I take. My gp gave it to me for back muscle spa.
I was taking it three times daily. I wanted to sleep all day but not at night!
My rh. Doc told me to take just one at night along with my sz. Med, dilantin. I can fall asleep easy, but I don't stay asleep. I'm not sure what else to try!!

Sharon

Have you tried the bath trick?

Just a thought...I do them in the middle of the night when I wake up.

Hugs,
ladybrannon

This message is for canadians:

i'm looking for the documentary in search of sleep (cbc in june 2004). If anyone have it, please write to me. I'm ready to pay a couple of dollars.


Thank you,

jfs

I have taken flexeril for 5 or 6 years off and on when insomnia and muscle pain are a problem for me, I take 10 mg every night. When it gets worse, I take 20 mg a night. When it gets so bad I can only sleep for 2 or 3 hours, and then wake up and stare up at the ceiling for 3 or 4 hours, I will take 1 in the middle of the night like ladybrannon. My dr told me to take them during the day when I was having a lot of muscle pain and spasm, I fell asleep at work and was afraid to drive home. I drank several cups of coffee and turned my air condioning on high!

I, also, use heat to help relax my muscles, but I use a heating pad on my back for about a half hour after I take my meds in bed. This way you don't have to get up once you have started to get drowsy.
I concur about the celebrex being bad for lupus patients. When I was put on it I lost half my hair and was not well.

Mia

I am awaiting diagnosis, have been diagnosed with undifferentiated autoimmune disorder but have low grade fever, chest pain occasionally, joint pain, muscle pain, malar rash on my face and just feel crappy all of the time-especially at night. Cant seem to sleep for anything, have night sweats and just hurt. Supposed to be seing the "rheumatology God" on thursday. Does any of this sound familiar. I just want them to figure out what is going on so they can treat it right because I can't see myself living this way forever.