Letters from the SCD support group: concerning sleep Sleep problems Tue, 13 May 1997 23:26:26 GMT I saw a comment concerning a possible connection between Crohn's and disturbed sleep patterns. I have had Crohn's -diagnosed for 5 years, undiagnosed for much longer and have had distubed sleeped for much of the time. Anyone else have a problem with sleep? A bell went off in my head when I read about a possible connection. Carol
Re: Sleep problems Tue, 13 May 1997 23:40:36 GMT Carol, I'd like to see that article. I noticed that whenever I get a flare I have trouble sleeping. I am restless, tossing and turning, and keep waking up throughout the night. The worst thing though is the nightmares, which I have heard can be related to the inflammation going on in the colon. Has anyone else heard anything about nightmares in relation to IBD? I heard that you can get nightmares when you have a flare up. I used to think it was Prednisone related (all the sleeping problems and the nightmares), but I've been off it for a year now and when I got a flare the nightmares came again. Anna
Re: Sleep Problems Wed, 14 May 1997 1:29:11 GMT Carol, I too would be extremely interested in learning more about Crohn's being linked to sleep problems. I have had trouble falling asleep and sometimes staying asleep ever since the onset of my symptoms (I only have the vague diagnosis of IBS but my mom has Crohn's) six years ago. I have been searching for a long time to find some connection or link, because it was obvious to me that they were related. When my gut started healing I started sleeping well again, when I have a flare of diahrea or even constipation, I have trouble again. Where did you read about the connection? Thanks for sharing your insight. Denise Davis, CA
Re: Sleeping and Nightmares Thu, 15 May 1997 22:45:38 GMT Dear Carol: I gradually deteriorated from being a sound sleeper to every small movement waking me about 10 years after I was diagnosed with UC and Crohn's. I was told it was early menapause (I was 42 at the time) and started taking hormones (estrogen and progestin). I spent the last two years trying to find the right dose and have finally settled on two 1mg./day patches per week (brand Climara) and 20 mg. of progestin per day. But, even while having real dosage problems, my sleeping patterns were much better until I had a flare up in February. (That's what led me to find and Dear Carol: I gradually deteriorated from being a sound sleeper to every small movement waking me about 10 years after I was diagnosed with UC and Crohn's. I was told it was early menapause (I was 42 at the time) and started taking hormones (estrogen and progestin). I spent the last two years trying to find the right dose and have finally settled on two 1mg./day patches per week (brand Climara) and 20 mg. of progestin per day. But, even while having real dosage problems, my sleeping patterns were much better until I had a flare up in February. (That's what led me to find and begin the diet). While there may be other reasons to consider whether or not to take estrogen, I found it really does help me to sleep better. BTW, the gastroenterologist and the gynecologist seem to be competing for who gets to claim my symptoms. I experienced severe muscle weakness for months before I realized how sick I was. I've been told both that it was Crohn's and that it is peri-menapause. At this point, I don't really care which it is so long as something helps me sleep. I've made other changes as well: my husband goes to the guest room with his snoring and fidgeting and the dog now sleeps in the kitchen. Ah, privacy and quiet. As to Anna's remarks about nightmares, I've been having terrible dreams in the last couple of hours before I wake up every single night since February. Even when I take a sleeping pill I still have weird, distressing dreams. I'm sure it is the disease and not the drugs. Well, we know that our warranty runs out when we turn 40 so humor is the best weapon we have left. Marlena Philadelphia, PA
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