Thursday, March 5, 2009

Sleep!

Yay!!

I actually got some great sleep last night—at last! The old adage, "too soon old, too late smart" applied, but I finally got through my thick skull how to accomplish the difficult task of sleeping. You'd think that after 65 years, I'd have it down pat—but the MS throws curves into the "normal"—so I had to readjust. I had been trying to do things MY way, but finally remembered that I had to do it MS's (the shooter's) way!

In 1996, I was keeping a log of my "shooters". I went through a spell, back then, similar to the recent sleepless, painful episode I've been going through, recently. I've already explained that shooters are unbearable—that I WILL NOT (cannot) live with them—so whatever they want, they get! It is a matter of survival. I must either get rid of them, or get rid of myself. Simple.

In 1995, I'd had a total hysterectomy, and although I was already post menopausal, the shooters wanted estrogen, I discovered. (without ovaries I was incapable of producing any) So, in my 1996 log I experimented, and that is when I started on hormone replacement therapy. Shooters were happier, but they wanted estrogen every 8 hours—not just once per day. Okay—you got it! Another discovery, back then, was that shooters wanted me to be slightly elevated, and not on a flat bed—you may not get horizontal, but must sleep in a recliner! Okay you got it! Now, after some time of the 3 estrogen per day, I gradually was able to resume sleeping in bed instead of a chair.

All of this finally returned to mind, and I realized that I'd lapsed back to 1996 levels, having stopped the estrogen. I wrote that I'd re-started the estrogen, but was trying to resume sleeping in a bed. (of all places) But, last night, I decided to try the recliner sleeping, again. It worked! After my pre-bed spa soak, I reclined in my chair with a pillow & blanket—instant zzzzzz! I slept until Mel got up for work. After a half-hour, or so, I decided to try bed. The next thing I knew, it was 09:30! I got about 8 hours sleep total, and only took 2 Neurontin! YAY! YAY! YAY!

Hugs!

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow. Sure glad you reverted back to your old treatment and it worked! I manage to sleep in my bed but I know what you mean...lots of times I get up and into the recliner and go right back to sleep. I do my best sleep there.

My Road thru Life said...

Oh Katy I am so glad to hear you were finally able to get some sleep, but I don't know if I like the idea that you might have to sleep in a recliner every night from now on. I just hope you can continue to get a good nights sleep. Hugs.

Diane said...

I am at the total mercy of my shooters too Katy. I have had a really painful spot on my right shoulder on my back for a few weeks, it is slowly DRIVING ME NUTS!! I am glad you have found the solution and can enjoy a good nights sleep at last.