Sleep...perchance to dream.

[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 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! (: