With another sleepless night ahead, can anyone suggest how I can get some sleep whilst taking 60mg prednisolone?
atavan
Probably not - but what we usually tell people is, don't fight it! I know - very helpful she says!
Have you got another room you can go to? Instead of lying awake, tossing and turning, get up and find somewhere to sit comfortably, a reclining chair is ideal but the sofa will do, make yourelf comfortable with pillows and cushions and use the time to read, listen to music or do a hobby if you have one that is suitable.
Once you are able to reduce the dose it will improve, it will improve some with time anyway as your body gets used to the dose. In the meantime - rest as much as you can.
Uhg. You poor thing. I was on 60 mg for a long time. I'm down to 18 mg now but still have sleepless nights here and there. My doctor prescribed 50 mg of Trazadone. I had taken it before so I was familiar with it. Even with the Trazadone, sometimes I'll wake up in the middle of the night for hours, but that is rare.
Being on Prednisone is no fun.
I can never understand that people can't sleep when on pred. When I was on high doses (40+) I slept 14 hours per day. I thought that was more normal. Even after all these years I still sleep 9/10 hours per night. I wake up a couple of times in the night with pain but am able to get to sleep again pretty quickly.
Strange isn't it. But I think you are the unusual one!!!
I slept 12 hours a night with PMR and no pred - not as bad now but I never really want to get up in the morning!
It is different for everyone, but I had no problem sleeping when I took all 60mg before breakfast, which I believe is the recommended way anyway. There are also many of us that do better splitting the dose 60/40'ish between morning and early evening.
I haven’t the energy to fight it, it’s like my body’s exhausted but my mind’s on high alert. I am already getting a second education from radio 4 via headphones, dallying with Grisham, Word puzzles on speed, theoretical Spring cleaning and the odd trip to the kitchen for a hot drink.
I have Piriton in the drawer, an OTC antihistamine which I used in the summer and can make you sleepy if you take it at the wrong time. If I took that before I went to bed do you think it would be ok with the Prednisolone? What I don’t want to do is start on anything addictive that could mess with my mind.
Glad to hear the effect wears off with time. I could do with this super active, clear incisive mind during the day but somehow I think that will wear off too….
I'm impressed, the last time I slept fot 14 hours a day I was a teenager, 🙂 which all goes to show that we are all different.
Thank you for the suggestion. I am a bit wary of something so strong but I am pleased to know that there are things that work if I need them.
It's probably worth trying the piriton - they can be taken together.
One lady used to use Nytol - but I can't remember which, it wasn't the usual one though.
It sounds as if you have got yourself sorted for pastimes at least 
Thank you for the suggestion.
Perhaps that's the answer - I'm a teenager at heart!😀😂
Interesting about splitting the dose. I take the 60 with breakfast like you did so splitting may be a consideration.
I share your concerns about not wanting to become dependent on a sleep aid. Am relatively comfortable, though, with tylenol/codeine, and so is my GP. Spent many nights up, doing the bookkeeping, reading and tea, exercise bike because I was so wired. Finally opted for sleep. Have drawn the line at one before bed. Since I can fall asleep but not stay asleep, this works well for me. When I would usually be waking up, the codeine kicks in. I have noticed that it doesn't work quite as well as it used to - building a tolerance which is a concern. Taking a few days off helps dial it back, but I don't sleep then.
I stay away from codeine at all costs. Very constipating, which then requires additional pills. Trazadone does not complicate "bathroom" matters. I don't mean to get graphic, but that can be just another ongoing
( or rather 'not going' issue that causes more pain and agony. Can we ever win?
That hasn't been my experience, but - not wanting to be too graphic either! - I have some other issues in that area which might offset that problem.
I found taking one of my doses of calcium near bedtime, with a small snack, has really helped me sleep. Mind you I never tried any drug therapies which meant no other dependencies were complicating things. As a life long intermittent insomniac this discovery was quite a surprise to me. A suggestion to help you wean off the codeine and tylenol, neither of which are good for you, look into taking valerian for a few nights. It might help break the cycle and give you better quality of sleep. Like most of these things it won't work forever, but may help with the transition. Check that valerian doesn't interfere with any other medications you might be on, however. One should always do that with any herbal treatment.
Are you taking a PPI? Omeprazole or the like?
You sound as if you were more of a duracell bunny than I am. 🙂 I can't really take codeine, once had co-codamol and also co-dydramol and couldn't get on with it. Tonight I am going to try the Piriton and paracetamol and see how it goes.