Thursday

Sleep and fibromyalgia

fibromyalgia and sleep

Don't you just love that feeling of getting all comfy and snuggling up under the quilt and getting ready for sleep? I think everyone does... but for some people sleep is a problematic thing.

The findings of sleep studies suggest that 70-90 percent of fibromyalgia patients complain of non-restorative sleep, which accentuates pain, musculoskeletal stiffness and fatigue. 
Fausto Salaffi, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Rheumatology - Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.

Many people with Fibromyalgia are insomniacs but Fibro is not just associated with this dreaded sleep affliction of insomnia but with many other conditions as well including sleep apnea, teeth grinding during sleep, NRS which stands for non restorative sleep, restless legs and frequent waking.


In fibromyalgia, all treatments are geared toward helping people sleep better. If we can improve their sleep, patients will get better.  Steven Berney, MD, chief of rheumatology at Temple University Health System in Philadelphia via WebMD.
Here we have some articles about sleep and Fibromyalgia written by people who understand:

  • The fibromyalgia sleep chronicles – Time to (try to) sleep by Sarah at The F Word
  • Poor sleep is not a significant predictor of fibromyalgia pain intensity and duration. Read article here.
  • Fibromyalgia makes my bed my Frienamy! by Susan 
  • Fighting The Sleepless Nights and The Effects of Sleep Deprivation by Barbara
  • Sleep Disorders Common In Fibromyalgia at FibroDaze
Here we have some suggestions for getting a better night's sleep when you have Fibro: