It seems to be a vicious cycle where I go through very long periods (several months long) where I just can’t manage to get good quality sleep. Nothing seems to help, cutting out caffeine, diet, exercise, medications, warm milk, hot shower, and so on and so on. I manage to fall asleep in under 30 minutes and wake up less than 4 hours later, wide awake and in pain.

I often awake with my hands and feet throbbing in pain, which I have learned to ignore, but then it is a night full of tossing and turning. I will usually fall asleep (if that is what you want to call it) for about 30 minutes and then wake up with not only my hands and feet throbbing, but my shoulder, arm, hip, and knee (whatever side is touching the bed) throbbing in intense pain. I flip over and restart the cycle.

I tend to catch myself checking to see what time it is so I can get out of bed at 5:30 and end this nightmare and start my day full of pain.

Got to love Chronic Pain!