Any solutions for sleeplessness while taking prednisone? It's 3 o'clock in the am and still wide awake, and once I fall asleep then I can't get up untill noon the next day. Anybody got an answer that doesn't involved MORE drugs? Have tried all the normal getting up early, no naps, dark room, no noise etc. I know that fibro causes fatigue, but it's like I'm not getting quality sleep even when I do fall asleep.
Sleeplessness and prednisone?
Question posted by lizevans on 7 June 2010
Last updated on 4 November 2019 by bestpup
5 Answers
bestpup
4 Nov 2019
Hello friend
I too take steroids for auto immune conditions. I have found a couple of tricks throughout the years that have helped me fall asleep sooner.
First and most important, I force myself to keep moving, preferably outside. By going for a half of a mile walk I breathe in fresh air, thus filling my lungs with fresh air over and over again.
Second, by walking 3 to 4 days a week I'm also helping my Lupus condition. At first it was very difficult to start this regiment, but once I developed a routine my muscles and joints felt better therefore I had less pain. Remember, a body in motion stays in motion. As corny as it sounds it's true.
Lastly, in addition to cutting off all caffeine products after 5 p.m. I bought myself a "Sleep Mate" machine. A sleep mate machine makes a quiet but not irritating noise. I stuck with the simple Sleep Mate machine because it came recommended to me. It definitely helps too.
However, I believe the key to sleeping is not in a drug but by way of Fresh Air. Hopefully it might help you as well.
Take care
bestpup
Mindy2468
4 Nov 2019
I'm having trouble falling asleep. I take 20 mg. With food in morning and tramadol 50 mg. Every 6 hrs. Can that be the cause.
sleepless0n
30 April 2019
I am a personal trainer and take good care of myself
I develop bronchitis at least once a yr.
I take Prednisone and it cures it, however, a side effect is racing heartbeat, access energy and lack of sleep. I also realized I get awful cramping around the same time at night waking me up if I dozed off.
This is very frustrating .
They say water, mostly what the human body consists of must be increased when taking such meds.
I try, but I have a hard time drinking it and drink soda.
At night I do get water in before bedtime
I can help others ,but I'm my worse enemy.
Drink alot of water ,stay hydrated , .NO caffeine, sugar 4 hrs b4 bedtime . Try to get some exercise and drink some sleepy time tea.
Now it's my turn to listen!.
Thankfully I have 1 more day till I get back to sleep.
źzzzzzzzzz. A good rest we all need .
Suzi.
Now I shared.
TK21
18 Feb 2019
I am taking 40mgs for 2 days and weaning down from that every 2 days. Today was my first dose and I cant sleep, only small intervals at a time that really don't feel like I'm sleeping at all... which is an odd feeling. The only thing that is helping at all is meditation. I have an app I use that helps with guided meditations... so far its the only thing that has been able to put me to sleep. I can't stay asleep but at least I'm getting a little something for a short blip instead on nothing at all. Good luck to everyone out there awake and desperate for sleep.
marjorie zych
9 June 2010
Unfortunately the only way this may change is to get off the Prednisone. I went through the the same thing on Prednisone, thank God I was only on it for a short time. I know getting off the prednisone is not an option for some people so you may want to ask the doctor if there is another drug that would help you so you can sleep. Just tell the doctor you cannot sleep and see if there is a substitute for the Prednisone and let the doctor know you don't want another drug just for sleep, see if they will change it not add another. I don't blame you for not wanting more drugs, doctors pass out too many at once as it is. Good luck and let me know how it goes, marjorie zych
diana39
13 June 2010
im going threw the same thing with the sleep on the prednisone, its horrible as im a cranky person if i dont get sleep, on the advice of another member of the group i changed the time i take the prednisone i was taking it at 5pm everyday, changed it to 1 or 2 if i forget and by 12am i do fall asleep for the most part the only thing is i do get up almost every hour for a few moments but fall right back to sleep, i know it doesnt sound promising but befor i changed the time i was taking it i was up until 3am and couldnt stay asleep past 5am so in its own way it has helped to adjust the time i take it, i take 40mg a day with no end in sight. i dont want to take anything to help me sleep either so ive even tried hot coco, warm milk, etc. hope you find some thing that works for you, its misrable not being able to sleep..
questionerg
1 Feb 2017
I saw my doctor today and he told me to take my 50mg tablet in the mornings. This is probably why. I just got the prescription filled yesterday in the afternoon and took one then, haven't been to sleep yet and its 5:34am. Will take today's dose at about 8am. Will see if I sleep tonight.
Kidok
2 July 2017
i took prednisone 20mg*2 on 6/28/2017 noon, i didn't sleep the whole night on that day, then saw the doctor and stopped it on 6/29/2017, but still didn't sleep the whole night on 6/29/2017 and 7/1/2017, felt very bad three days no any sleep. went to see doctor and had to take the sleeping pill on 7/1/2017 night, and now feel terrible and don't know how to sleep by myself? is there any one has the same experience? Yearn reply!
Egwegy
22 Oct 2017
I take my tablets (30 mg) in the mornings and this makes no difference. I have had sleeping pills, sometimes they work and sometimes they don’f But I hate taking them. I’ve tried lavender, getting up, book recordings. I generally get to sleep, but wake up after about a hour and then can’t sleep. I can’t stop the tablets. Anyone got any answers PLEASE help
GrandmaO
16 Dec 2017
It keeps me wide awake too. Thankfully I'll only be on it a week. It also really effects my blood sugars as I'm diabetic.
Mjkeller
11 Jan 2018
Right now I am experiencing the insomnia from prednisone. I was on 50mg for 5 days. Took the last pill 2 days ago and still can't sleep.
Glory53
20 Jan 2018
Hi hope I can get some advice,I am having anxiety and panic attacks I was in a car accident on Dec.1 2017, and had a compression fracture in my back so I had that fixed with the kyphoplasty and I am going through having anxiety, panic attacks, can't breathe, can't sleep,I was in the hospital for 2 days Jan.17-18, got methylprednisolone injections while in there and Dr put me on the 4mg methylprednisolone dosepak I can't sleep even being on lorazepam 1mg also gave me effexor and propanolol for my anxiety I read up on the effexor and really don't what to take it any advice on Natural help for anxiety and panic attacks? thanks.
Monkeysuit
3 Sep 2018
I’ve been on 60mg twice a day, haven’t slept for months and have no idea when I’m coming off it. Someone please tell me there is a way to sleep while on prednisone
sleepless0n
30 April 2019
Any drug you take for a reason will become a dependency.
Without any prescription drug ,I found benadryl 25 mg. helps and I sleep well.
Now on Prednisone.
I cant take no sleep. You are wide awake..
I also have fibromyalgia. bone degeneration and sciatica . pain will definitely keep you up.
Monthly I see a pain specialist.
There are alot of exercises to reduce pain.
Go to u-tube and do it daily. Make a habit of a good thing.
My pain threshold went from a 10 plus to a 4 with care and exercise.
I call that GREAT!
Good Luck
Suzi
sleepless0n
30 April 2019
Any drug you take for a reason will become a dependency.
Without any prescription drug ,I found benadryl 25 mg. helps and I sleep well.
Now on Prednisone.
I cant take no sleep. You are wide awake..
I also have fibromyalgia. bone degeneration and sciatica . pain will definitely keep you up.
Monthly I see a pain specialist.
There are alot of exercises to reduce pain.
Go to u-tube and do it daily. Make a habit of a good thing.
My pain threshold went from a 10 plus to a 4 with care and exercise.
I call that GREAT!
Good Luck
Suzi
Related topics
Further information
- Prednisone uses and safety info
- Prednisone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prednisone (detailed)
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