Sleep

Does anybody else have sleep issues;how do you get a good nights sleep?When I don't get a good nights sleep (which is most nights)I'm shot the next day.It really affects my speech and my walking!!

try taking melatonin about 1 hour before bedtime.its a over the counter sleep medication

I’m afraid to say that the only thing that works for me is medication and if I forget to re-order my prescription I panicked and can’t sleep.
I’ve tried meditation, white noise tapes etc and they make it worse. It’s just another trial.
Wine helps too lol

On days like this I wish I were dead.Unless one has experienced real sleepness,you have no idea how bad it is.On days like today,I feel like a zombie and can barely walk or talk.I don't know if it's caused by my ataxia or someother condition,all I know, is there can't be anything worse.

Do you take naps during the day? If you do then you might be too awake when it's time to go to bed at night. Or maybe there's another reason you can't sleep. Do you exercise? Exercising (especially with our ataxia) can help tire us out so we get a full night's sleep. ALso try no caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate) after noon. Maybe drink a soothing chamomile tea before bed? Or try meditating? Sometimes sleep issues can come from anxiety or depression.

I know what you mean about sleepiness. When I don't get enough sleep I am useless the next day (possibly the next few days). It's like my ataxia symptoms are 200% worse and I feel like I'm dying.



runner said:

Do you take naps during the day? If you do then you might be too awake when it's time to go to bed at night. Or maybe there's another reason you can't sleep. Do you exercise? Exercising (especially with our ataxia) can help tire us out so we get a full night's sleep. ALso try no caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate) after noon. Maybe drink a soothing chamomile tea before bed? Or try meditating? Sometimes sleep issues can come from anxiety or depression.

I know what you mean about sleepiness. When I don't get enough sleep I am useless the next day (possibly the next few days). It's like my ataxia symptoms are 200% worse and I feel like I'm dying.

I have sleep problems and I chose to use cannabis edibles before bed and also melatonin to help. I get good sleep but do wake during the night when I turn over I get cramps in my neck and face but get back to sleep OK. I do once in a while have something on my mind and it may interfere with going to sleep. Jerry

..Avoid opioid analgesics! A mild prescribed sedative is what I use with great results..

Hi, I felt the same as you for a long time, my wife told me that I sometimes stopped breathing and I eventually went to the Dr, as it was getting me down. I was referred to a sleep clinic and I was Diagnosed with sleep apnea and I now have to sleep with a mask using a CPAP machine to keep my airways open when I sleep. It seems to affect a lot of people with Ataxia. I feel a lot better since I've been using the CPAP machine. It might be an idea to talk to your Dr about it, you never know.

Thankyou for your response.I've been to the sleep labs and CPAP machines and every kind of med.I was taken off the CPAP because it didn't work for me........I was told it was all in my head.Oh well,I try to do my best with meds and stay away from caffeine and MSG.Life is a challenge so we must do the best we can. Ron

I have sleep apnea, diagnosed eleven years ago, at the same time as my ataxia. According to my neurologist, many people with ataxia also have sleep apnea. I wondered for years why I was always tired, no matter how much sleep I got! I use a C-Pap machine at night and am no longer tired, except for my ataxia, which causes fatigue. Just a thought...,;o)

I've been to the sleep clinic and tried all the C-Pap machine but they don't work for me;oh well life goes on.............but don't get me wrong,I'm gratefull for each day,good or bad.Life could always be worse,just look around you! Ron