Trouble Sleeping with Arthritis?

Hot. Goodness sakes.

Hit water bottle I meant to say. You need at least two good sized gel packs, so one is getting cold while you're using the other one. I have 4 because sometimes I use two at once. I am a pianist and if my hands get swollen or achy I will go to sleep hugging an ice pack in my hands. The more you can use natural methods for arthritis pain the better.

I should add that for the knee I stick an ice pack into a wide scarf and tie it into my knee. OR, if I am wearing pajamas I stick it in the leg and roll it up which keeps it in place.

So, I have pain in my left shoulder, left knee, and lower back, that I don't always notice. However if I eat a substantial amount of sugar it manifests in my knee especially. As for sleeping I do have some tricks, otherwise I would toss and turn and turn and toss! So, my best defense is to put an ice pack in a pillow case and position it in one of the trouble spots. Why a pillow case? It keeps the icepack from direct contact with your skin and it is easy to maneuver and keep in place. For instance, I like to lie on my side. I can easily position the icepack and take the rest of the pillowcase and tuck it into my pajamas which holds it in place. I have three trouble spots so if I wake up I just move it to a new spot. I don't know why, but having the ice in one place takes my mind off other discomforts. I will often use a heating pad or hit water bottle instead in similar fashion or in tandem with the ice packs. Gel packs actually. Usually I don't need any pain medication if any kind when I do this. I hope you can try it.

I'm having trouble getting comfortable and sleeping. My shoulders, elbows and hands hurt so much that I wake up crying. I'm on meloxicam and 1000 MG prescription alieve but it's not working. Need a new game plan. I have a dr appt in the morning.

Oh, yeah, melatonin too

Yep, I take pain med, Tylenol pm, have a weighted blanket and a heated mattress pad. Still takes me about an hour to get to sleep.

❤️ Oh yea! Pain meds, heating pad, pillows and muscle relaxer, and melatonin