This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Anybody else having trouble sleeping? My neuro is sending me for an overnight sleep study, which I am not looking forward to. Has anybody been through this? Was it of any help?

Hi Batpere

I can't say that I have trouble sleeping, but I have come across an abstract of an article entitled The relationship of sleep disturbances and fatigue in MS in the Archives of Neurology, 2004.

Some interesting tidbits from the abstract include:

No large-scale studies to our knowledge have examined circadian rhythm abnormalities in MS patients or the relationship of fatigue to circadian rhythms......

Of the 15 fatigued patients with MS, 2 had delayed sleep phase, 10 had disrupted sleep, and 3 had normal sleep........

A relationship was found between fatigue and abnormal sleep cycles or disrupted sleep...there was also a relationship between subjective excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue in MS patients.

Conclusion: There is a significant correlation between fatigue in MS patients and disrupted sleep or abnormal cycles.

So, it would seem like it may well be worthwhile to have the sleep study. That's assuming of course if the study shows you have disrupted sleep that there is some treatment for it.

I continue to be amazed at what hasn't been studied.

Sharon

Sleep patterns raised a question with me I've been thinking about for a long time.

Did the sleep pattern interruptions come before the MS or are they a result of the MS?

The reason I say this is because Cortisol(a stress hormone) definitely plays a role in MS. Cortisol levels follow a distinct pattern directly related to our circadian rhythm. It would make sense to speculate that if your normal circadian rhythm was chronically disrupted, cortisol levels would not follow the normal fluctuating pattern either.

Is this a cause of MS probably not.

May it play a role in MS?

Treez

Dear all,

Since my dx last May I can say that I have not had a single good night's sleep (always had 8 hrs prior to first ms attack last week). It's easy to see why sleep patterns would be altered:

- steroids played havoc with my sleep patterns
- constant worrying about the future - how disabled will I get, how long will I be able to work etc etc

One of the worse affects of this disease has been to rob me of 'peace of mind'. Every night you go to sleep you know that the ms and the symptoms will still be there tomorrow.

Only 12 months ago I would wake up, stretch and say great a new day.

Now I get up, realise that my feet feel dead and my hand is de-sensitised and say 'another XXXXXXXX day with ms'.

How I miss my lovely sleeps.

Bromley

Bromley,

I can relate to your "state of mind":

One of the worse affects of this disease has been to rob me of 'peace of mind'. Every night you go to sleep you know that the ms and the symptoms will still be there tomorrow.

I have similiar thoughts although mine tend to be:

"I hope everything is the same or better in the morning. I'm afraid of waking with something new." I guess a positive attitude would be a much more healthy state of mind. Something like, hoping to wake in the morning with a POSITIVE change. And yes it is possible. I look forward to that every day. Whether it be some positive news or physically "feeling better than I did the day before".

Try to take that outlook. "tomorrow will be better than today was"

The mind is powerful beyond anyone's knowledge. If you believe something and practice it enough. IT WILL COME TRUE!

FAITH! Bromley. Try it!

Treez

P.S. Your family needs you!

P.P.S. I know, I know, way off subject of this thread again!

When I was really symptomatic with MS the first couple of years, I had sleep apnea and a sleep study confirmed this. I was on Bi-pap at night for awhile-but I have not had that problem in a few years now-I think this was 2002. The study itself is harmless, and although the Bi-pap sucks, I did finally sleep well and wake rested. Good luck, hope it helps you.

I too had sleep problems, but after cutting out snacks and caffine after 6 didint help, My doc gave me options over some drugs that all seem to lead to a dependant state, I went with xanax while still addictive, the only strong side effect for me is vivd dreams which dont disturb sleep, and lead to some interesting morning stories with my wife. I take 1mg about an hour before bed time, every night, I've had no withdrawl problems or cravings for the drug (some others have reported).
I read on a psyc website, that people with ms should not take xanax, because of the depresssion/suicidal risks, My doctor dosent believe me to be at risk - and I dont feel like I am either (But I'm on prozac 25mg and desipramine 10mg)

Just a couple of other considerations: Lack of exercise and depression both contribute to lower quality sleep (and I believe they are interrelated, as endorphins can be released during vigorous exercise). MS patients--even if not dealing with physical disability--may not exercise so much due to their fatigue. Also, an MS dx is bound to bring with it some depression (even if it's not serious enough to warrant treatment).

For those of you not bothered by heat: I've found a pre-bedtime soak in my hot tub seems to result in longer more restful sleep.

carolsue