When Chronic Pain Makes Sleeping Impossible
Oh my word! I need sleep!!!
I can’t be the only one, the only person with chronic pain and chronic illness, who, no matter what tips they’ve tried, can’t sleep at night.
I’m turning into a vampire right this moment. I’ll be sporting fangs and a dramatic cape any minute now.
I’ve tried everything. I’ve even forced myself to stay away for 48 hours, thinking, if I make myself completely exhausted, I will eventually be so tired by the time it’s a reasonable bedtime that I will finally get some decent sleep!!
Nope. No. Uh uh. It didn’t work that way. Not even the third time I tried it. I’m stubborn. I tried it a lot.
The thing is, my pain is at its worst at night. It gets really bad. The other problem is that I’m a natural night owl, and my mind thinks the most between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Incidentally, it’s 6:35 a.m. right now as I’m writing this. Because…many, many thoughts. In fact, most of my articles have been written between 3:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
So, I don’t having any grand ideas on how to help me or you sleep better. I mostly just want to find others to commiserate with. Let’s be exhausted together.
Go team afternoon nap!
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Thinkstock photo via Wavebreakmedia Ltd.
Lisa Prins is a binge hobbiest who is constantly throwing herself into many different projects. When she is not well enough to do one, she will find another. Music is her main love. She is a classically trained pianist, vocalist, songwriter, composer and ukulele player. She also enjoys writing, drawing, painting, crocheting, pixel bead art, photography, jewelry making, sewing, playing video games, robot building, and a number of other hobbies. Love, compassion, friendship and understanding are most important to her. They are what gives meaning to her life. Lisa was born with a congenital kidney disease called renal tubular acidosis. This combined with asthma, chronic infections, idiopathic angioedema and anaphylaxis have shaped her into a person who is thrilled to experience every bit of life and love, every sunset and every little joy that life has to offer. She lives with her incredible partner, who is, and has been, her love, her best friend, and, at times, her caregiver. She decided to start contributing her writing in the hopes she can help others know they aren’t alone, and help those who aren’t chronically ill better understand the people around them who are.
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