Insomnia on Prednisone...

[Keepingfaith]

I've been on Prednisone since about October with the exception of a two month 'break'. I don't get too many side effects of Prednisone but the ones I do have, are horriable. I'm on Noritriptyline for headaches/insomnia and it was working really well. Then I was put in the hospital & they upped my dose to 40mg. I was wondering if anyone has any remedies that help them sleep at night? :sign0085: I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have the option to up my dose of Noritriptyline BUT I already sent in my medication list for CCFA Camp where I will be a camp counselor. At the camp, they hand out your medications at designated times at the RX dose. I already sent in the list with the description of me taking 25mg of Nortriptyline so it would be a mistake to up it & not be able to continue the raised dose at camp. I also don't want to ask for another pill to take.

My headaches are also keeping me up at night but I think that's from my eyes. The Prednisone had me put in bifocals within two months of treatment. I have an opthamologist appointment some time this week so I can get stronger lenses. :angry-banghead:

 

[EthanPSU]

Hey, This is going to sound really weird and all but I had insomnia with pred just like you and thinks worked like a charm. I have been doing it every single night for the past year or so.

I downloaded every episode of South Park and Family Guy and put them on my Itunes, and then I put a bunch of episodes on my Ipod and put one ear piece in and just listen to it with the volume low. I will fall asleep listening to it within 10min.

I find that the main problem with insomnia is that your mind wanders when you lay in bed. And this wandering keeps you up all night. With something playing in your each, it makes you focus on that and nothing else, causeing you to be able to sleep.

I am sure this will work with any tv show / music / something to listen too. It might not work with you but it has been a charm for me and I don't sleep without my Ipod anymore.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Quite often my my legs and feet seem to keep me up at night. My husband and I also have been battling that cold stuff going around as well. So, sometimes I end up taking to the other bed in the middle of the night. Found this stuff called: Pillow Mist that seems to help get me to sleep. You can get it at bath & body works or, there's also a less expensive kind by earth therapeutics that I found as well. Only takes 3 or 4 squirts each night and lasts quite awhile. Good luck Lisa

www.earththerapeutics.net/prodinfo.asp?number=9397

 

[Keepingfaith]

@ Ethan: I've tried that multiple times! Except I watched 4 seasons of House in one night(my grandparents bought me all seasons on DVD as part of my christmas gift because I'm sick & bored a lot of the time I wonder if it would work if I just didn't watch the screen? I'll try it!

@cross stitch gal: I'll go by B&BW! It's my favorite store so now I have an excuse to go Thanks!

 

[violetenvy]

I was having issues sleeping on Prednisone just a couple weeks ago. Most nights I didn't have problems going to sleep but I would wake up three or four hours later wide awake. My GI nurse suggested taking melatonin. It is really helping me. It doesn't help me sleep straight through the night but if I take it as soon as I wake up I'm usually back asleep in 30-45 minutes. Then I sleep another four to five hours. Also, I've found that Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Wellness herbal tea also helps relax me to fall asleep if I need some extra help. It has valerian root which is a mild sedative I believe. I've seen melatonin, valerian root and other herbs mixed in a sleeping aid pill but haven't tried those.
Reading always helps me relax too. Though that might not be good if you are having headaches.

I hope you find something that works for you!! I know I felt like I was going crazy for about a week before I figured out my system. We need extra sleep to help us heal and fight the fatigue that comes with Crohn's!

 

[EthanPSU]

@ Ethan: I've tried that multiple times! Except I watched 4 seasons of House in one night(my grandparents bought me all seasons on DVD as part of my christmas gift because I'm sick & bored a lot of the time I wonder if it would work if I just didn't watch the screen? I'll try it!

Hah, but yeah, I put my ipod like on the floor or under my pillow so I don't see the screen and its completely dark

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Only problem I found is that I checked online and looks like the stuff at Bath & body works doesn't have a travel size. So, if you're flying might need to transfer some to a different container 3oz size...