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People with fibromyalgia are significantly more likely to experience a sleep disorder. On top of that, some particular issues tend to happen when it comes to sleep and fibromyalgia.
Last week Tami and her friend, sleep expert Sovann Pen, talked about the importance of sleep for your healing journey and how you can get better sleep. In today’s special episode, Tami dives deeper into the specifics of fibro sleep, from research studies to books, supplement recommendations, and more.
In this episode, Tami talks about what research shows about the connection between poor sleep and pain, why not getting good sleep can make you feel more hungry and less satisfied after eating, the three ways sleep is different in people with fibromyalgia, different ways fibromyalgia impacts sleep, diagnosing fibromyalgia looking at the alpha brain wave/delta brain wave ratio, the 45% higher incidence of sleep disorders with fibromyalgia, why getting a sleep study done is probably a good idea, medications and supplements that can help you to get more and better sleep, causes and treatment of restless leg syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), sleep is essential for healing, things that can help you to fall asleep, lowering the overactive fight or flight response, increasing the amount of deep sleep you’re getting, practices you can try to lower your stress response before bed, and more.
The information Tami shares in this episode is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re interested in learning more, consider joining us for our next class of the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® training program, where she goes much deeper into sleep and many other topics specific to fibromyalgia.
Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers.
Links & Resources
Note: This episode’s show notes contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we will likely receive a small commission. Read about what we do and don’t promote here.
- Fibromyalgia Podcast | Episode 95: Sleep Better with Sovann Pen
- The role of sleep in pain and fibromyalgia
- People Get Hungrier when They’re Starved for Sleep
- The FibroManual by Dr. Ginevra Liptan (Affiliate link) — For specific information on medications and supplements, check out Chapter 9 of The FibroManual in the chart titled “Medications To Increase Deep Sleep”
- Figuring Out Fibromyalgia: Current Science and the Most Effective Treatments by Dr. Ginevra Liptan
- Fibromyalgia–a syndrome associated with decreased nocturnal melatonin secretion
- Learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® training program at FibromyalgiaCoachingInstitute.com
- Fibromyalgia Podcast | Episode 94: Grief and Fibromyalgia with Pat Sheveland
Supplements & Medications
Note: Supplements and medications are listed for spelling purposes only. This is not a complete list, nor is it meant to be medical advice. Speak with your healthcare providers about what might be best for your situation.
- Melatonin
- 5-HTP
- Restless Leg Syndrome or Periodic Leg Movement Disorder (PLMD)
- Iron
- Supplements including L-DOPA
- Wellbutrin
- Fibro Sleep: Helping to feel sleepy
- Melatonin
- Valerian root
- Sleep medications:
- Ambien
- Lunesta
- Sonata
- Antidepressants:
- Trazodone
- Amitriptyline
- Nortriptyline
- THC
- Marinol
- Fibro Sleep: Lowering overactive fight or flight response
- Seriphos™
- Muscle Relaxers:
- Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
- Zanaflex (tizanidine)
- Fibro Sleep: Increasing deep sleep
- Medications:
- Lyrica (pregabalin)
- Neurontin (gabapentin)
- Topamax (topiramate)
- Supplements:
- GABA with glycine
- Magnesium
- Medications:
More from Tami
- For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram.
- Get free copies of Tami’s books here.
- Schedule a consultation with Tami or one of her coaches through the International Fibromyalgia Coaching Institute.
Listener Shoutout
“I live for this grief series. Grief is not depression. They may need to label it for insurance coding, but it’s a guaranteed existential experience…
“I studied #grief for a semester right as COVID was ramping up and it is one cruel mistress. It has no time frame and is often indefinable. You can understand it from an empathy and clinical standpoint, but nobody is immune to complicated grief. And everyone gets a little lost. Such an important topic, especially the effects on our entire well-being. Thanks for talking about it!”
~ Rachael Kraaz Perrin, @rachael.engagingmakeup