I sometimes have insomnia and I take a quarter or an eighth of a Zopiclone tablet. I'm very careful with them as I don't get many prescribed at a time. Each dose gives me at least 4 solid hours of sleep so a whole tablet would be way too much for me. If I ran out, I would head for Whiskey.
Oh my heart goes out to you. I totally understand the pain. I finally got off prednisone in Dec after a year and still have pain but not debillitating like it used to be, for PMR. I use Tylenol x strength I can't do NSAIDs because they give me ulcers. I understand the fatigue/insomnia battle. When I get fatigue I have one half of Bai drink, it has one cup of caffeine in it. I can only have a half bottle because caffeine puts my heart out of rhythm. But muscle spasms are awful. Folic acid helps those, a daily vitamin at Night helps, any anti inflammatories : cacao is the gold standard. Berries. Gluten free. Stress def is a trigger and I can tell you are going through a lot of stress. Fresh air and ocean waves are the best de stressers. Wish I could help you out, you are on my daily prayer list. Keep us updated.
Agh Brian for what its worth I drink rehydration sports drinks which help my leg cramps, electrolyte balance is key to helping muscles stop cramping the tramadol most certainly will strip those electrolytes from your body as will any steroid inhalers.
Praying for you. May Our Lady keep you under her mantle. Magnesium cream applied to the legs before bed works well although it is unlikely to be enough for you. I assume you are taking a daily multivitamin. Magnesium is good against cramps. I hope you get your tramadols back. God bless.
Thanks. But my problem isn’t like muscle cramps from electrolyte imbalance. It’s more of a muscle spasm or clonus following a stroke or multiple sclerosis: In my case my muscles in my left leg jump and spasm primarily due to pain. It like bad restless leg syndrome times 100. Since it’s nerve related, not electrolytes, it doesn’t respond to things like Gatorade or magnesium unfortunately.
Gotcha I was put on a course of Quinine which was suggested would help with twitching muscles but its not recommended long term I did notice however it helped with sleep
I did not know this about steroid inhalers. I use them daily. I will try the sports drinks. Thanks for the info John.
Brian you have my prayers but I just wanted to share that I was sent to a Pain Specialist because of the change in laws. With your records you should have no problem getting the medicine you need. I have a different problem but please call your insurance or talk to your doctor.
Yes, I do understand that is an option, but it’s one I’ve been fighting not to have to take. I can’t afford more doctors’ visits and I’d have an expensive routine visit to the pain clinic just to get a prescription. In the back of my mind, however, I know there’s a real chance our entire modern medical system and medication supply lines could collapse during what’s coming.. So I’m assuming this is Providence, and I’m better off having the cessation of this medication forced on me right now in a controlled fashion, with a proper tapering schedule, than in the midst of what seems to be coming. Maybe this is imprudent, to take this course of action based on conclusions about the near future. But I’m going to trust in Providence and continue on this path, and offer up the pain.
Hey Brian. At the risk of another non medical guy offering unsolicited advice…. Would nerve stimulation and/or RF type treatment be an option? and not sure your thoughts on this (some think it quackery) but acupuncture? in any case, Brian, I’m about to run to Rosary and Adoration where I will be praying for you.
