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Coping with arthritis pain at night
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: May 4, 2022 | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
@tarmansbks just to reiterate what someone else said: even 2mg methylprednisolone makes me wired and gives me sleep issues. Before adding something, maybe subtract first, as you are planning to do! Any chance you could get down to 2mg? (I did this with my mother.)
If you take a total of 1.5mg Ativan every night, that could be a problem over the long term. Many docs, in my experience, won't prescribe more than a few pills at a time. Over time you might need increasing dosage to get the same effect, and there is a serious withdrawal when stopped. I hope your doctor gives you good advice on this.
I sympathize with your sleep issues. I am resigned to 5 hours/night however I can get them, even if I am up from 2-4am!
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I take 1 mg of ativan at bedtime - around 8:45 and a 250 magnesium tabler. Last night I made it to 3:30 AM when I needed a bathroom break. I also lay out a 1/2 tablet of ativan that is handy if I awaken in a panic at night and don't want to go looking for it. I didn't need it last night. I am doing leg exercises the p/t has worked with me for the past 3 weeks to condition my weakened polio leg for a possible knee replacement and maybe that is helping with the leg fasciculations. I ordered CBD gummies from Charlotte's Web and tried one yesterday during the day and felt like I was more energized than relaxed. I just took another one around 1:30 PM. Not sure if they will do me any good. I selected the one without melatonin because of being on methylpred. Wednesday I began a week of 6 mg of methylp. and my rheumatologist wants me to stop at 4 mg because of loss of adrenal function after all these years. I see an endocrinologist in July so maybe something can be worked out that I can taper down or off. I don't want to go on methotrexate or biologics. They are liable to make worse other issues like IBS.
I can't see myself ever being without the crutch of ativan and I know the downsides but they do get me under control. When my husband died almost exactly two years ago during covid, I was thankful for their effect. So far my PCP is not questioning my use. I am prescribed for 3 mg a day and usually don't ever get that far.