Our MS Brains Need Sleep!

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

Get your free download of my tips here 8-tips-for-better-sleep.gr-site.com/

[@andrewbruce7100]

For years I would only get a few hours of sleep a night. My neurologist prescribed me baclofin for spasticity and it has helped me sleep so much better. I almost always fall asleep and stay asleep without any problems now. I don't feel groggy when I wake up like I did with other things I tried.

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

That is so wonderful Andrew. Isn’t it amazing what a good nights sleep can do for our energy and mood?

[@sascha6841]

Just a question: does any of you experience loss of vision when you are tired, and by that more specifically the ability of your eyes to focus, accommodate? There are days I can see much sharper than others.

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@@sascha6841 thanks for watching. I haven’t experienced that myself, but I recently had cataract surgery and have found that dry eye causes blurriness for me. Have you checked with your eye doctor? Maybe drops could help?

[@sascha6841]

@@EvenSoItIsWell Thanks!

[@christinecross9123]

My dad has insomnia and I have had bouts of it off and on prior to my dx. After a diet change and regular exercise for 6 months I noticed I was able to sleep better despite getting up 3-4 times in the night to go to the bathroom. On nights where I seem to just wake up, I usually just concentrate 9n breathing and praying. Sometimes an audio book helps as well. Or soft music. ** Eat a palm full of cherries an hour before bed for natural melatonin. **

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@@christinecross9123 so glad you are sleeping better. I love the idea of soft music and cherries too!

[@lindacarmelle8333]

I thought intermittent fasting would hel wih slee quality as it has many benefis,but the sleep benefit s one that eluded me

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@@lindacarmelle8333 thanks for watching Linda. Sorry sleep benefits are still eluding you. How are your other sleep hygiene habits?

[@lindacarmelle8333]

@EvenSoItIsWell Hi Vickie,I do have strategies and bed time rituals .Sometimes they work ,most times it's an epic fail. I have CRPS so at times even weather,pain,and the wrappings I wear for the swelling/lymphedema keep me awake (among other things).A friend of mine sent me info on the cannabis gummies she was prescribed by her doc yesterday. I m not quite ready to go down that road yet though.Ive been practicing meditation and visualization and deep breathing,but as I said it doesn't always work. I do feel refreshed after doing those things for a few hours,then I just get back up.

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@@lindacarmelle8333 don’t discount the gummies. Many MS doctors are now prescribing cannabis to help with symptoms. You may need something for the pain too. I take baclofen for my leg and it has a sedating effect that helps me too. Have you tried listening to audio books? That is my newest one, and it really helps me to fall back to sleep.

[@lindacarmelle8333]

@@EvenSoItIsWell Hi Vickie, Thank you for asking....I have several bed time rituals that should work in theory. I practice meditation, deep breathing(while resting my hands on my stomach ,that helps me most to make the technique effective and calming) and visualization . Sometimes those work and other times its a fail. Although I do receive the benefit of rest and relaxation for the body by just letting my body stop moving and let go of tightness of muscles. I do have the option for muscle relaxers, theraworks magnesium spray for the spasms;but those dont make me sleepy. Our Bedroom is naturally cool and dark because we live in a very retro style building and have partial metal walls by the windows. I love the coolness of the room because my body is always overheated. I love your sleep tips by the way! And have learned to practice many of them. I think in my case since I have CRPS many things I have no control over ruin my sleep. My body reacts and flares with extreme winds ,loud sounds, and the bandages I wear for the lymphedema also prevent me from getting comfortable to sleep . The pain/overheating, I experience is controlled only so much by my gabapentin and R Fraction Alpha Lipoic acid. My husband also has a very odd work schedule and I am a light sleeper. He awakens at 130am for work and leaves by 215am. Even though he is very quiet I can hear and feel everything. Sometimes I just wait up until he leaves for work then I try to sleep. I am unable to work now so that gives me freedom to explore other options for a sleep schedule too. Still sleep is elusive. I really miss sleeping ...

[@lindacarmelle8333]

@ That sounds like a good idea! I will have to try the audio books. We have used a sleep sound machine or use instrumental music at times or if I sleep in the living room (because sometimes I will utilize you tube with a visual fire place or nature scene and soft music since the bedroom doesn't have a tv), that works. I have fallen asleep oddly enough on the thick yoga mat while stretching in front of the you tube nature scenes and music too. I would do that every night if it worked ,but its not consistant. I will read up more on the gummies for the future. My doctor will not prescribe any other medication for me .she said I should go through my pain specialist thinks I would benefit from ketamine. That is a treatment I am not comfortable trying at all though. It is very difficult to find a new set of doctors right now though.

[@victoriousms3818]

You are doing such an amazing job my sweet friend, and putting out great 💯 truthful information ❤️ Absolutely middle of the night wake ups are so true for me as well. I pray, Meditate as much as possible and practice breathing excersises to try and fall back to sleep as quick as possible.💕I know you may already practice all of this as well my amazing friend 🧡

[@victoriousms3818]

lol sorry I posted my response before listening to all of the video ❤

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@@victoriousms3818 I love all of your suggestions!! Praying is another great thing to do! I hope you are doing well!

[@marf2998]

Thank you for this content. I have similar sleep habits and can fall asleep easily. However, if I wake up to urinate or from leg spasms, I have difficulty returning to sleep and find myself thinking about things. Getting back to sleep becomes difficult. I am finding controlled breathing and mindfulness techniques are helpful. I was surprised to realize that it takes a certain amount of work, however. I have to stay disciplined about breathing control and body relaxation, etc. I can get back to sleep...but clonazepam is sooo much easier. Now I see why that type of medication can be dangerous. My take away is to stick with the mindfulness techniques for quite a few nights to train yourself. Hope this is helpful.

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@@marf2998 thanks for watching and sharing. You are so right, it does take work and staying disciplined is key.

[@k3of5ks]

Great topic. I follow all of the sleep hygiene methods you mention. Trying hard to stay away from muscle relaxer but may eventually need to submit and trying very hard not to go the drug route. I use a super concentrated magnesium lotion for spasms. For sleeping I use a cocktail that my Naturopath and I came up with of magnesium glycinate, progesterone, L-theanine, and holy basil. This has worked well. I've never been a great sleeper and admire people who sleep well.

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@@k3of5ks thanks for watching. Good on you for try new things with your naturopathic doctor. I have used both magnesium and L-theanine in the past as well.

[@lindacarmelle8333]

@@k3of5ks I like the muscle relaxer for pain with spasms and magnesium sprays for the spasms too. unfortunately I can't really fall asleep even with those. it just doesn't make me sleepy. melatonin sometimes works,it's hit or miss with me ,but it's over the counter and it's something our bodies make naturally. it seems some people must not make enough of their own. you can try it if you haven't already. I like your naturopaths idea though. I have my mom on melatonin with l theanine and magnesium and she doesn't sleep with it either. she is 85 tho and on the lowest doses,to keep it safe.That may be why it doesn't work. hope you find a good solution soon.

[@nazilakhademi3754]

❤❤❤thank you😊

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

Thanks for watching! I hope the tips help.

[@nazilakhademi3754]

Haven't slept nor nap for 28 years

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

Goodness! That is not good. I hope these tips can help.

[@thres34]

Is that possible?

[@GenerationX_GR]

But aren't T killer cells also responsible for eating up or attacking if you prefer the myelin sheath and axons of the brain's nerve cells? If lack of sleep limits the number or potency of T-cells, to me that sounds like a natural immunosupressor which could work in favor for us ms patients right? Or at least that would be the case if that would be the only effect of sleep deprivation. Serious sleep deprivation can lead to death in a few days time. Total disaster as my nocturnal feline menace also is

[@nizahe2731]

How come you gather enough willpower to excercise on the daily basis despite the feeling of fatigue and exhaustion, may I ask? :) Great informative video btw. About sleep quality and calming the mind during nightly wake ups - taking ashwaganda supplements and magnesium taurate 2-3 hours before bed helped me a lot. Taurate form of magnesium penetrates brain-blood barrier - normal magnesium supplements don't.

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@@nizahe2731 thanks for watching. Thanks for the information about magnesium taurate, I had not before. As for the exercise, no doubt it is harder on days when I have fatigue. I may do a more gentle exercise on those days like yoga or maybe just walk on those days. Exercise is so important to me and my wellbeing that I hate to miss a day. I always feel better after I exercise despite the fatigue.

[@LornaAnnMcCabe]

Thank you I had two hours a night! Can’t function , thank you

[@EvenSoItIsWell]

@LornaAnnMcCabe ugh. Two hours is brutal. I hope you can rest today.