Why Do Things Hurt Worse At Night?

[Friend2U]

Don't mean to be complaining....again........but, Is there a real reason why things always hurt worse, and tingle more, and basically most sx seem SO much worse at night. It seems that anymore, I can't get rest because I'm up and down, in and out of bed until the wee hours of the morning?????

Do I just have my days and nights backwards like a baby, or is there a real physical reason for this?????

Thanks!

[SallyC]

It makes alot of sense to me, that because of the usual stresses of the day, your muscles tighten up and are painful at night.

I find, stretching those painful muscles, thoroughly, relieves the pain and discomfort and helps to relax you, so that you can get to sleep.

Some people take a muscle relaxant at night (like Robaxin). I take the more natural approach, but also love Robaxin, when necessary.

Feel better, Friend..

[karousel]

Maybe because there aren't so many distractions at night. I mean you are laying down to go to sleep and there is not much to distract you.

[Lady]

Hi Friend2U,
I have heard of many PWMS that stay up late and get up late. I know my circadian rhythm is turned around, or broken (sigh). I can go to bed late and wake up late, and get a good night's sleep, much better than when I try for an earlier bedtime.

I do miss the mornings. If I have an early appointment, I end up with very little sleep when the alarm goes off. I have tried to turn myself around but to no avail.

I do find while up at night I "notice" more of the aches, pain and sensations more. Like the MS hug starts getting bad around 10 pm. I try to be on the net or just read a book until I'm tired enough to conk-out.

I think Karousel is right, less distractions at night. Too much peace and quiet, and you think of your pain or symptoms more. It makes them magnify out of portion to the day. JMO

I do exercise a bit and stretch like Sally said, to try to work out the stiffness. I don't know if it is all muscles spasms, or age related with me. I wake up with tightness, that takes an hour to loosen up. I sit and have coffee, then move, then sit and then move again.

If you are not as active in the evening, as the daytime, I think that has a lot to do with it. If you're worn out from the day, exhaustion does it too. I wish I knew.

What do you think might me the answer Freinds2U? It could benefit a lot of us. Maybe we need to work the night shift, ya think?

[Friend2U]

But it sounds like I am not alone. I really don't mind just for myself to keep the strange hours. But it's not as ideal for the rest of my family. My dh is pretty patient with me and tries to understand.

I think it is true that it is so quiet at night and once my eyes go shut, my body starts screaming at me about all it's complaints!

I get up from bed to do the stretching exercises. It is a very temporary relief, until I lie back down. Then doesn't take long for my muscles to go stir crazy again.

I'm sure since I am up moving around in the day, I just don't notice things so much.

I guess I just wish I could know if I should keep trying to fight it and try to get on the same schedule as my family... although I have tried, but to no avail.

Thanks.

[Judy2]

Oh how I wish I knew the answer to the whole sleep question with MS!!! Between it and the fibromyalgia, the pain becomes so much worse whenever I try lying/sitting still for any length of time. Plus my circadian rhythmn is messed up too -- must have something to do with that portion of our brains. Like you can see, it's now 1:05 am and sleep won't come until daylight even though the fatigue causes me to doze off in this darn chair.

I actually tried sleeping in my bed instead of recliner two nights ago, only to have to get up and switch with a terrible backache that lasted two days. Of course I can't move very much once I get in bed, not even to turn over, so that's probably why I end up so sore. If I have an appointment during the day, I make it for afternoon. Having nobody else here to worry about, it doesn't matter what hours I keep although my family and friends think it's sooooo weird sleeping during the day. If they spent a day in my shoes, they'd change their tune quickly! But when you can't go anywhere anyhow, what difference does it make?

Sorry I don't have any helpful suggestions, but just know you're not alone.

Gentle hugs...........