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44conniemcafee: 1 year ago via iPhone

My osteoarthritis aching keeps me awake at night. I take 3 or 4 Ibuprophens and a melatonin before bed for pain, but no sleep. Suggestions

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Answer 1

suayres: 1 year ago via iPhone

You may need to ask your doctor for a referral to a rheumatologist--perhaps there's more going on than simple osteoarthritis. For example, I not only have osteo, I have fibromyalgia as well, and it's complicated by the fact that I cannot take NSAIDs ( that is, ibuprofen and similar drugs). I saw both a rheumatologist and a pain specialist to get the treatment which finally resolved my pain. You may require similar help.

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44conniemcafee: 1 year ago via iPhone

Thank you, I will ask for a rheumatologist referral.

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Answer 2

Wooderful: 1 year ago

You should go back to the doctor and get a prescription that works better than the ones you are using. You should keep yourself warm and see a doctor as the painkillers may have an effect not only the disease but also something else so it is good to get a doctors prescription as soon as possible to stop the pain.

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44conniemcafee: 1 year ago via iPhone

Thanks for your suggestions. Keeping myself warm might help. In the past I've slept better with room temperature very cool, about 65 degrees, which may not be a good thing at my age now.

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Answer 3

eliciamarie: 1 year ago

I agree with 'Wooderful', also, try having a hot shower before bed to try and ease the pain and swelling of your joints and bones.

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44conniemcafee: 1 year ago via iPhone

Thanks for the hot shower suggestion, I'll try it tomorrow night.

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Answer 4

shinypate1: 1 year ago via iPhone | Last edited at 4:09AM on 1/29/2012

I had knee replacement surgery a few years back, and had a very similar problem. Doc switched me from Ibuprofen to Celebrex once a day, and told me to start doing Pilates. That seems to have helped quite a bit, but he added trazodone for sleep on nights when I was achy. That combo does the trick for me. Ask him if that might help.

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44conniemcafee: 1 year ago via iPhone

Thanks for your suggestions. Pilates sounds interesting. It is 6:26 am right now and I gave not slept at all, miserable.

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shinypate1: 1 year ago via iPhone

If you find it helpful, hit the up thumb.

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CMarieGo: 1 year ago via iPhone

What is trazodone if you don't mind me asking?

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candybar: 1 year ago via iPhone

Trazadone is a medication that is taken at bedtime to help with sleep and depression.

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shinypate1: 1 year ago via iPhone

As Candybar said: an antidepressant that has remarkable sleep-inducing effects. This is because it works on the neural pathways associated with sleep-wakefulness. Sleep disturbances are common in depression, so it is used for both purposes: sleep and depression.

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44conniemcafee: 1 year ago via iPhone

ShinyPate: Sorry, I don't know what "hit the up thumb" means.

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Answer 5

ravenevan: 1 year ago via iPhone

It looks like a bowl of warm milk just before you tunnel into your favorite blanket would do the trick.

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44conniemcafee: 1 year ago via iPhone

Thanks for the warm milk suggestion. I think I'll try hot chocolate tomorrow night.

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Answer 6

JewelnMiasMom: 1 year ago via iPhone

I have arthritis in my knees and bursitis in my shoulders. I also prefer a cool room to sleep in. To counter this I use a heating pad on the areas in the most discomfort. Also, a veryncomfortable bed that supports you properly and a pillow to match. I use a memory foam pillow. My dr prescribed me soma for evening and it really helps. Have done hyeleronic ( I know not spelled right) acid injections in my left knee and that also helped. We are working with my insurance for the same injections for my right knee. Hope this helps.

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44conniemcafee: 1 year ago via iPhone

God Bless You, you have quite a story to tell. Your suggestions are great, I will try them, especially Soma. I cannot take Ambien because of the nightmares and sleep-eating, etc. You have been very helpful. Thank you.

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JewelnMiasMom: 1 year ago via iPhone

Hope it works for. Being unable to sleep do to pain is one of the worst situations to be in. Your whole life suffers.

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