The effect upon sleep is probably one of my greatest frustrations. Ibuprofen wears off and I wake up in pain.
Purple_Mom_22 said:
I hate feeling like I am perceived as a hypochondriac, but this is real.----Pigeonfury
I know exactly how you feel when I am perceived as a Hypochondriac as well…but my pain is real that I can’t sleep coz I can’t find a comfortable position–or moving hurts! I wish people would understand how our pain is real rather than be judgemental about it!
sleep? what is this thing to which you refer? :) I have had insomnia for 17 year, but never as bad as it has been in the last 4 years. It all started when my oldest son started having complex recurring seizures at 9 months old. Couldn't let myself sleep at night because he stopped breathing when he seized, and I was terrified he would seize and die and I wouldn't discover it until the next morning. At least if I was awake, I could call the squad. But that was 17 years ago, and he hasn't had a seizure in 9 years. I've been in an uncontrolled flare for 4 years now, and if I am lucky, I get 2-3 hours of sleep a night...usually interrupted sleep. I'm so jealous of my hubby because as soon as his head hits the pillow he is out like a light and snoring like a freight train. I just don't know how he does it!
Thanks Cheryl...the steroids did help :-)
Cheryl (CLR) said:
I went to a podiatrist. It was helpful. Shots in the joint and muscle insertion point. Also new orthotics. You're whole foot looks swollen tho. Hope the oral steroids help you!
No Worries tmbrwolf329 :-) Unfortunately when the swelling gets intense there is not much I can do except cope as the pain levels are usually intolerable. Epsom salt baths are wonderful!
tmbrwolf329 said:
TaraLynn, Sorry to have written a mini-novel on your thread. I'm so sorry you are hurting so badly, and I wish there was a magic wand somewhere that we could wave to make it all just disappear. Try the soaking in epsom salts infused hot water on your foot and see if that helps with the inflammation. It certainly won't hurt to try, and it might just make this flare more tolerable. I use this method every time one of my peripheral joints gets bad. Doesn't work so well on abdominal inflammation (IBS is SUCH a joy - NOT), but it seems to help on ankles, feet, toes, wrists, hands, and fingers.
I sometimes wake up with my feet (both) on fire and pulsing about 2-3am. You can actually feel heat if you touch them. Then I try to get back to sleep and sometimes takes me an hour or more. The next day is horrible. This usually happens after I've been on my feet a lot and/or the preceding bad weather (rain, snow, cold).
My Rhuemy prescribed a pain cream to ease the pain. I put it on RIGHT BEFORE I go to bed and keep it by my bedside to use when it wakes me. It has helped me, hope it will for you!