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Real members of MyFibroTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Any ideas?

A MyFibroTeam Member asked a question 💭
Mesa, AZ

When I finally get a good night's sleep, I wake up in a lot more pain and more exhausted. It's difficult to face the day this way. Any ideas?

April 13
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Answer Summary

Members shared the frustrating paradox of waking up in more pain after a good night's sleep, with many agreeing that deeper sleep means less... Read more

Members shared the frustrating paradox of waking up in more pain after a good night's sleep, with many agreeing that deeper sleep means less movement, which leads to increased stiffness and the loss of adrenaline's natural pain-suppressing effect. Several members offered practical strategies including stretching for 45 minutes upon waking, using topical relief products like Biofreeze or equine cold therapy gel, applying lidocaine patches, and sleeping with supportive body pillows positioned between knees and under arms to reduce pressure points. A recurring theme was accepting the trade-offs that come with fibromyalgia, giving yourself permission to have quiet days when needed, and finding small reliefs through movement, manual therapy tools like massage guns, and sleep aids like Tylenol PM to improve rest quality.

A MyFibroTeam Member

I agree with what Vic said. The deeper you sleep the less movement you make so in the morning you feel really stiff.

April 13
A MyFibroTeam Member

I have a hunch that when we don't sleep nearly enough, our bodies roll out the adrenaline. We can run on that for a while, like nature's prednisone. However, when we finally sleep enough/sleep longer/sleep more deeply, a few things might happen:
We toss and turn less. Less movement = more stiffness and pain.
We don't have that adrenaline which I think suppresses some pain... so we're feeling more pain.
🤷🏻‍♀️

April 13
A MyFibroTeam Member

That happens to me too. I think it’s from not moving my body enough and sleeping straight through. We can’t win with this condition. Everything is a trade-off. We just have to give into it and have a quiet day when this happens. Hope you feel better.. hugs,V💖🌷💐

April 13 (edited)
A MyFibroTeam Member

I don't know really I suffer from debilitating fatigue and pain in my hip when waking we just don't get quality sleep the only thing I do is stretch in the morning as soon as I am awake in bed and in the chair for about fourty five minutes a day which does help some times more than others and I am going to buy a fit bit to track my sleep pattern and other things then at least we know what we are dealing with and can look for the answers♥️

April 13
MyFibroTeam

Why do you wake up in more pain after a good night's sleep?

It's frustrating when better sleep doesn't lead to feeling better. With fibromyalgia, sleep isn't always restorative even when you get more hours. Research shows that deep sleep stages needed for healing are often interrupted by bursts of brain activity, making Show Full Answer

Why do you wake up in more pain after a good night's sleep?

It's frustrating when better sleep doesn't lead to feeling better. With fibromyalgia, sleep isn't always restorative even when you get more hours. Research shows that deep sleep stages needed for healing are often interrupted by bursts of brain activity, making sleep less refreshing than it should be.

This creates a challenging cycle where poor sleep quality heightens pain and fatigue, even when you're sleeping longer. Your body may not be getting the true rest it needs during those sleep stages.

Here are some approaches that might help:

Sleep Quality Improvements:
- Try relaxation techniques like gentle stretching, meditation, or deep breathing before bed to calm muscle tension
- Use aromatherapy with lavender, chamomile, or sandalwood to create a calming environment
- Avoid caffeine, soda, and alcohol in late afternoon and evening
- Eat dinner at least three hours before bedtime

Movement and Diet:
- Incorporate gentle movement throughout the day, even just walking around your house hourly
- Focus on eating plenty of protein, staying hydrated, and avoiding simple sugars that cause energy crashes

Medical Support:
- Talk with your doctor about a sleep study if you still feel exhausted after full nights of sleep
- Discuss whether underlying conditions like sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome might be affecting your sleep quality
- Ask about medications that some members find helpful, like Elavil, which one MyFibroTeam member said "takes away a good chunk of my fatigue"

Consider working with a registered dietitian for meal planning and discussing supplements with your healthcare team.

April 13

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