MS and insomnia: What helps you to sleep?

@CaitRae Hi CaitRae, thank you for opening this discussion. Let me tag some other members who may be able to share their experiences and advice on this. 

Hello everyone, how are you doing? Do you ever have trouble sleeping because of your MS? How do you deal with it? What works for you? Can you share any recommendations or advice?
@Montelee‍ @lmoster‍ @Miss_MS‍ @wandascott‍ @MSSURVIVOR1‍ @bree27‍ @MarthaT‍ @Joannelecznar‍ @eyesopen52‍ @squeekyme‍ @DVB42B‍ @Kodycooksey‍ @BarbieZ‍ @Zanesgrand‍ @Cici707‍ @darbu6‍ @Debdee‍ 

Feel free to share here!

Take care,
Courtney

Hi @CaitRae‍. I also suffer from insomnia and am in the process of trying to find new mechanisms to help me sleep. Falling asleep has gotten much easier with the help of meditation and relaxing podcasts. I use the Headspace app, which introduced me to meditation. The podcasts that are helpful are Meditation Oasis and Nothing Much Happens.

My current struggle is that every night I wake up between 2 and 3 AM and I am wide awake for 1.5-2 hours before I can get my body and mind to settle down again. I am working on more meditation and breathing exercises but at this point, my MS still wakes me up every night and wants me to remain awake for those few hours. I am trying to avoid medications because I feel so sluggish in the mornings but it might be the ultimate answer to a full 8 hours of sleep.

I feel your sister's pain and frustration. I miss a good night's sleep, among other things. Maybe this will help a little. 

I suffer from nightly insomnia. I have found that soothing back ground noise played very low at nights helps with mine. also not eating before bed or drinking anything caffeinated. Taking hot baths also soothes the muscle spasms which affect staying asleep. 

I second @CandaceBerk 's recommendation! A friend introduced me to meditation/sleep podcasts and it's really helped me. I take a warm shower (or bath if I have time), drink a sleep tea like camomille and I put on a sleep podcast and it really helps!