Happy Monday! Today IS Monday, January 25th and it’s a rainy day in Charlotte, NC. I don’t know what’s going on, but we seem to be having our fair share of rainy days! It’s all good..we can always use the rain… right? 🙂
So, today’s topic is Insomnia! To make sure we level set understanding, the best definition I was able to find for Insomnia is: Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep or wake up early and not be able to fall back asleep. Not too technical! Basically, Insomnia makes it very hard to get a good nights sleep. Good times.
My initial reaction to that definition is… Lions, Tigers, Bears and INSOMNIA! OH MY! 🙂 Sorry. It’s silly I know, but that was just how I was thinking about it this morning. Believe it or not, studies indicate that over 30% of people with MS experience Insomnia, which is more than twice the average of “normal” people. Unfortunately, I happen to be a casualty of those statistics and regularly experience Insomnia. Also, based on MANY postings in MS Forums (Man… I reference those a lot!) I am definitely not alone. All of the comments make me wonder if that +30% statistic is a little low. It’s sad. 🙁
I have mentioned MS Fatigue in several blog posts and part of me wonders how different my experience with MS would be if I could get a good nights sleep. I can tell you that, on the rare occasion I get a decent nights sleep (For me that’s 4-6 hours), fatigue can still be a significant issue throughout the day. So, maybe it’s just wishful thinking that 8-10 hours of sleep would help things, but maybe I’ll never know.
Insomnia has been front and center in many posts on FB and other support group sites lately, which is why it’s my topic today. To see a 2am post with the statement “Why can’t I sleep?” immediately responded to by dozens of other awake people… just strikes a chord with me. One of the benefits of online social groups is that you get to verify you are not alone with this disease. The support of family and friends is so awesome, but with a disease like MS… you question and doubt (at least I do) symptons an awful lot. To know that others are in the same boat and experiencing the same things… it’s hard to explain… but I guess there is comfort in knowing others are dealing with the issues you are. And, because others are dealing with these issues and living life, it helps you know that you can to.
Sorry… that probably reads a bit awkward, but it’s the best I can come up with in this sleep deprived state! 🙂
Anyway… that’ll be it for today! I don’t think I posted last week, so if anyone is out there and actually looking for a weekly update (Which I know I mostly committed to)… my apologies! I’ll do better! Or, at least I’ll try to do better!
Have a great week! Until next time…
Steve
