Sleep...perchance to dream.

[Catrin]

Frankly, I just want to sleep all night without my neck waking me up 3-4 times. It isn't bad, but enough to wake me. I am trying my very best to sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees, but as soon as I go to sleep I flop over on my side where I want to be...I just don't like to sleep on my back. Never have.

I don't want to take pain killers or sleeping aids, those things have just caused too many problems for others. It is also true that I've not slept all night since mid-late October when I injured myself. I did sleep all night the day after my injections last week, but that was all.

I am exploring natural sleep remedies. I unplug an hour or two before bed, I relax and read or do needlework. I try to complete my exercise for the day by 7 at the latest, and that is only once a week that I complete that late. I've really cut back on my coffee, but this is obviously related to my neck, not my early morning coffee. I am, however, still being careful to not drink any past late morning.

I would like to hear how others have dealt with something like this. I've been looking things up on the internet, so for nothing I have tried has seemed to make any difference :(

[Biciclista]

boy, join the club. My sister has had liver damage so she is VERY in tune with natural remedies. She had me try KAVINACE, which is totally natural :

Kavinace combines two powerful ingredients that have shown to be effective at addressing symptoms of stress, anxiousness, irritability, hyperactivity, and sleep problems. It contains the GABA derivative, Phenibut which crosses the blood brain barrier more easily than GABA.

she takes it 30 minutes before bed and has sweet dreams every night.
I tried one pill. it kept me from sleeping and gave me tinnitus which is finally almost gone.

[OakLeaf]

Do you have any support for your neck when you sleep on your back?

Sometimes when I'm traveling, I'll take a towel, fold it in half or thirds depending on how thick the terry is, then roll it into a cylinder to support my neck. It really helps, especially when the bed and/or pillows aren't very supportive. That, or a neck pillow, can be a good adjunct to a regular pillow for side sleeping, too.

[WindingRoad]

Melatonin has worked well for me. It's cheap and natural. I also have Valerian Root capsules I take occasionally. They seem to be best for general stress and helping me 'calm' my mind and body.

[Biciclista]

Melatonin for me was a similar disaster, but Valerian is nice, better than nothing.

[emily_in_nc]

While you're healing, I wouldn't rule out something like Lunesta for the short-term. It's non-addicting, and I got some amazingly good sleep on it. Asked for the Rx after losing my dad in a car accident. I couldn't fall to sleep at all and would wake up frequently when I finally did. Lunesta was instant zzzzzz's. Not something you want to take forever, of course, but until you're healed, it might help without hurting.

[goldfinch]

I generally am not afraid of experimenting even with pain killers and sleep aids as I do not seem to lean towards addictions. I suffer from sleep apnea. When I had to start using the CPAP machine I simply could not sleep with it. I tried ambien, which worked perfectly fine but made me concerned because of the risk of getting up and doing things in your sleep. I would only use it if I had a light sleeping spouse who would notice if I arose and started doing stuff.

I then went to benzodiazepines, really antianxiety drugs, specifically Atavan. As you mentioned, there is a dependency risk and you have to use care with dosing. It worked great for me. It got me through the few weeks it took to adapt to the machine. I got along with a very low dose. I had no problem whatsoever dropping the pills when I didn't need them anymore.

I know, not natural, but I wanted to give an alternative point of view. And natural isn't necessarily natural, these remedies you ingest aren't food after all. They are drugs, whether regulated or unregulated as supplements.

(As an aside, I know someone in California who has serious sleep issues due to pain and after trying various cocktails of drugs he got a prescription for marijuana and it worked great for him. I probably would be too worried about the federal crime to try it though. :))

Just another point of view.

[Catrin]

I am trying different ways of supporting my neck. I THINK what is happening is that as I sleep, my head/neck gets in a bad position. This causes pain, wakes me up, then I do it all over again. Getting to sleep isn't a problem, it is this posture/pain cycle. I am really hoping that PT will help strengthen things...

I've heard of Lunesta and thought it was possible addictive. I will ask my doctor if he thinks it might help. I am unsure if medication or supplements can actually help with this - but that probably just shows my ignorance of things. I am not prone to chemical addiction, but I AM prone to over-doing things so I still tend to be cautious.

I do love beer, but it doesn't help me sleep. Indeed, too much beer keeps me awake...

[OakLeaf]

In the short term, a muscle relaxant like cyclobenzaprine might help you on both fronts. When I've taken those I split the 10 mg tablets in half, otherwise I'd wake up with a raging hangover.

I like valerian too, or a valerian/hops/skullcap combo. Older allergy pills are another possibility - it's not unusual for me to take a chlorpheniramine maleate at night to both help me sleep, and knock down allergy symptoms that break through the shots and non-drowsy meds.

[Catrin]

In the short term, a muscle relaxant like cyclobenzaprine might help you on both fronts. When I've taken those I split the 10 mg tablets in half, otherwise I'd wake up with a raging hangover.

I will check this out with my doctor. My current muscle relaxant isn't strong enough to really do much except take the edge off during the day at work when I can't risk getting drowsy.

[tealtreak]

Frankly, I just want to sleep all night without my neck waking me up 3-4 times. It isn't bad, but enough to wake me. I am trying my very best to sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees, but as soon as I go to sleep I flop over on my side where I want to be...I just don't like to sleep on my back. Never have.

I don't want to take pain killers or sleeping aids, those things have just caused too many problems for others. It is also true that I've not slept all night since mid-late October when I injured myself. I did sleep all night the day after my injections last week, but that was all.

I am exploring natural sleep remedies. I unplug an hour or two before bed, I relax and read or do needlework. I try to complete my exercise for the day by 7 at the latest, and that is only once a week that I complete that late. I've really cut back on my coffee, but this is obviously related to my neck, not my early morning coffee. I am, however, still being careful to not drink any past late morning.

I would like to hear how others have dealt with something like this. I've been looking things up on the internet, so for nothing I have tried has seemed to make any difference :(
I can't speak to a pain related medical issue like this - but I was experiencing "normal" menopause related night waking (I mean wide awake at 3:00). Valerian did the trick for me- it is an herb- available tea or capsule- I take 2 every night about an hour before bed. Some of the literature warns of a hungover feeling morning after - but I have never had a problem with that.

[goldfinch]

I do love beer, but it doesn't help me sleep. Indeed, too much beer keeps me awake...

Same here. And if I drink too late in the day I don't sleep well.

[jessmarimba]

Frankly, I just want to sleep all night without my neck waking me up 3-4 times. It isn't bad, but enough to wake me. I am trying my very best to sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees, but as soon as I go to sleep I flop over on my side where I want to be...I just don't like to sleep on my back. Never have.

I don't want to take pain killers or sleeping aids, those things have just caused too many problems for others. It is also true that I've not slept all night since mid-late October when I injured myself. I did sleep all night the day after my injections last week, but that was all.

I am exploring natural sleep remedies. I unplug an hour or two before bed, I relax and read or do needlework. I try to complete my exercise for the day by 7 at the latest, and that is only once a week that I complete that late. I've really cut back on my coffee, but this is obviously related to my neck, not my early morning coffee. I am, however, still being careful to not drink any past late morning.

I would like to hear how others have dealt with something like this. I've been looking things up on the internet, so for nothing I have tried has seemed to make any difference :(

I didn't sleep through the night for at least 6 months after I broke my back. It was misery. I spoke with my doctor and the physical therapist about it and they were VERY reluctant to give me anything to help me sleep. Their philosophy was, they didn't want me sleeping through whatever was causing me to wake up. If I was waking up because I'd ended up in a painful position, continuing to sleep like that would only exacerbate the problem.

Their argument made sense, but that was a very draining period for me. I'd chat with your doctor to see what they recommend.

(I also can't sleep on my back. It's still recommended that I do, but I have pillows, etc. to keep my back straight if I sleep on my side now)

[Biciclista]

You know, i had issues with my neck and sleep until i had a bunch of postural therapy. I no longer have this issue. I started with Egoscue, but they were very expensive. then I had the full Hellerwork series (like Rolfing) I used to wake up sometimes with my neck LOCKED UP, and many many other nights it just hurt because of the position i had slept in.

[Catrin]

Murien - thanks for the links. I need to determine what will work best for me. Last night I tried rolling up a hand-towel and stuffing it in the bottom of my regular pillowcase with my normal pillow. That HAD to come out half-way through the night as my neck did NOT like that :eek: I've been trying to hold off until I see the PT for my evaluation before I purchase a special pillow but may not be able to wait that long...thanks again.


I didn't sleep through the night for at least 6 months after I broke my back. It was misery. I spoke with my doctor and the physical therapist about it and they were VERY reluctant to give me anything to help me sleep. Their philosophy was, they didn't want me sleeping through whatever was causing me to wake up. If I was waking up because I'd ended up in a painful position, continuing to sleep like that would only exacerbate the problem....

I have wondered this very thing, it never takes me long to go back to sleep, but it is frustrating and I know my body really isn't getting the rest it needs.


You know, i had issues with my neck and sleep until i had a bunch of postural therapy. I no longer have this issue. I started with Egoscue, but they were very expensive. then I had the full Hellerwork series (like Rolfing) I used to wake up sometimes with my neck LOCKED UP, and many many other nights it just hurt because of the position i had slept in.

My trainer has taught me a couple of postural exercises that I hope will help a bit before I start PT next month. It is a pity I have to wait that long, but that is life. The injections are already starting to wear off and it hasn't even been 2 weeks :( The whiplash itself does appear to be healed, though as the bad muscle spasms haven't returned. I will take all of the positive things that I can!

[indysteel]

Have you talked to any of your docs about the fact that the shots are wearing off already? I work with two people who get similar shots on a regular basis. They have never suggested that they are only effective for a couple of weeks. I would call your doc and the doc that gave you the shots to discuss what's going on.

[Catrin]

Have you talked to any of your docs about the fact that the shots are wearing off already? I work with two people who get similar shots on a regular basis. They have never suggested that they are only effective for a couple of weeks. I would call your doc and the doc that gave you the shots to discuss what's going on.

I already have, but my specialist doesn't want to see me until after I've been to a few PT sessions but we did move our follow-up appointment up to a little over 3 weeks from now rather than the late Feb date I did have. From what both doctors have told me, these injections don't work for everyone, and the length of time for which they are effective differ widely from person to person. You can only have these shots 3 times in a year's time and some people don't get lasting relief until the second or third set of shots.

Also spoke with my PCP today, and he wants to see me get a few PT sessions before we decide to make a change...

[Catrin]

I know you've talked about this injury on several threads, but I missed how this happened. Did you hurt yourself?

I had a fall on the mountain bike trail in late October. It wasn't an especially hard fall, but it had to do with how I fell. I snapped my head back so far that my helmet hit my back. This caused a pretty good whiplash injury and strongly aggravated existing cervical spine arthritis that had, before then, been quietly doing it's degenerative task without much getting my attention - I didn't know it was there.

So, an x-ray and MRI later we learned I've moderate disk degenerative disease with multiple bulging disks, possible nerve impingement from a bony spur, and they even found inflammation in the bone marrow. I didn't know bones GOT inflamed... but there you go.

It was one of those freak accidents that happen, and now we are working to calm the arthritis flare it created. Many of my symptoms were relieved from spine injections last week, though not all, just have to work on strengthening my neck now. Still on the bike (road), and can return to the trails this spring :)

I think that about covers it!

[tealtreak]

I had a fall on the mountain bike trail in late October. It wasn't an especially hard fall, but it had to do with how I fell. I snapped my head back so far that my helmet hit my back. This caused a pretty good whiplash injury and strongly aggravated existing cervical spine arthritis that had, before then, been quietly doing it's degenerative task without much getting my attention - I didn't know it was there.

So, an x-ray and MRI later we learned I've moderate disk degenerative disease with multiple bulging disks, possible nerve impingement from a bony spur, and they even found inflammation in the bone marrow. I didn't know bones GOT inflamed... but there you go.

It was one of those freak accidents that happen, and now we are working to calm the arthritis flare it created. Many of my symptoms were relieved from spine injections last week, though not all, just have to work on strengthening my neck now. Still on the bike (road), and can return to the trails this spring :)

I think that about covers it!
Yikes! I am adding your recovery to my prayer list! (: