Living with Fibromyalgia

For those who don't know, fibromyalgia causes extreme pain in the muscles throughout the body.  This pain can be so intense that people who sufferer with this disease can not function normally.  This includes sleep.  In fact, 80% of fibromyalgia sufferers have sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops periodically through the night.  Some sleep apnea patients can actually wake themselves up at night.  This can cause poor sleep, which can increase the pain and stress that comes with fibromyalgia. 

Many people with fibromyalgia (20-40%) also suffer from restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome is unpleasant twitches in the legs.  These twitches can be painful, requiring that the leg be moved to reduce the pain. 

75% of fibromyalgia sufferers also have TMJD, a condition where the patient grinds their teeth at night.  The next morning TMJD sufferers usually feel the pain from the grinding.

While doctors look to find the best treatment, and you should always see a doctor if you experience any of these problems, we can look towards some things that might mitigate what is going on.  First, muscle pain can be quite harsh.  Since most of this happens at night, it is only reasonable to look towards things that can improve quality of sleep, thus making it just a bit easier to face the next day.  Sleep apnea can be helped with the addition of an adjustable bed, what some call hospital beds, that today are made in all different sizes.  By sleeping with the head slightly elevated, the soft tissue that can cause an obstruction will react differently to gravity, often reducing the times we stop breathing.  Raising the legs slightly will help keep the body in proper posture, which may improve RLS.  And consider your mattress choice.  Too hard of a sleep surface can actually make the pain worse, as our muscles struggle against gravity all night to maintain posture.  The mattress should conform to the body to take the work off the muscles, allowing them to rest and heal at night.  There are several sleep systems that will accomplish this.  Try them all, since everybody is different, the solution should work best for you.  The four major mattresses are springs, water, memory foam and air.  All have their supporters and advantages, however with air technology, like that in the Comfortaire mattress, both partners are able to set the bed where they are most comfortable.  Spring mattresses with the right topper comfort materials will also work, but these beds tend to have a shorter life span.  And of course there is water beds, they conform very well, but they tend to be heavier and not quite as supportive as other types.

Take your time, find what works best for you....

Sleep Well