It is well known that people with Fibromyalgia are typically bad sleepers. Personally, I could sleep for 2 hours a night or 10 hours a night and still feel like I hadn’t slept at all. In fact, when my flare-ups become really unmanageable, I have been known to sleep for 10 hours minimum of a night and nap for up to 3 hours in the day.

When it comes to naps, I try to limit myself and not give in as chances are it doesn’t make me feel any better, especially if I do it constantly. For maximum benefit – not that I benefit from sleeping, I only nap when my body forces me to stop.

But that being said, I haven’t been shy about my sleeping problems, and I do take Mirtazapine to help me sleep. The reason being without them, not only do I have trouble falling asleep but staying asleep. This past week, inexplicably, I have forgotten to take my tablets before sleep for 2 nights on the run. Having been on them for 18 months now, this is unheard of.

If ever I needed to know that the medication is right for me, it was this week. I frequently refer to my non-medicated sleep as terrifying. Why? Because I am convinced my mind is playing tricks on me, and I experience a sleep condition called sleep paralysis. Having mentioned to my GP what happens to me, she agrees it is most likely this sleep disorder prevents me from falling asleep of a night.

What Is Sleep Paralysis?

The NHS describes sleep paralysis as;

Sleep paralysis is when you cannot move or speak as you are waking up or falling asleep. It can be scary but it’s harmless and most people will only get it once or twice in their life.

Once or twice in your life. not frequently unless medicated. It seems far-fetched, doesn’t it. But hear me out. Sleep paralysis also has distinct indicators that include;

• Being awake but cannot move, speak or open your eyes
• Feeling like someone is in your room
• Feeling as if something is pushing you down
• Being frightened

And this is where you get the connection. Sleep paralysis is more common in people who have a family history of sleep paralysis, suffer from anxiety, PTSD, narcolepsy, disordered sleeping patterns, and insomnia. Generally, this is treated with medication for depression – in my case Mirtazapine.

My Sleep Paralysis and Fibromyalgia

Is this sleeping disorder common in people who have Fibromyalgia? Non-restorative sleep is pretty common for people living with Fibromyalgia. Experts believe this is due to the disruption and waking periods during the REM cycle of sleep, which is when restorative sleep occurs. This I can personally attest to.

However, without my medication, I struggle to get to sleep. The reason being when I close my eyes or turn my back on my bedroom door, I feel like there is someone in the room with me. I sense this presence, especially when home alone and during the long nights, and it can be terrifying and frustrating at the same time. I also feel like my legs are made of stone, and I am unable to move them. Usually, I am stuck in that sleep stage where you are half awake, half asleep, and while my body succumbs to sleep, my mind doesn’t seem to.

Over the years, I have developed a strategy of trying to reduce this feeling. It still occurs, and when it does, I have forgotten to take my medication before bed, and I am still lying there awake come 2/3 am. I will turn to face my bedroom door and close my eyes for a few seconds. When I get the feeling someone is in my doorway, I force myself to open one eye. I then tell myself to focus and notice no one is there. I repeat this until I can finally shut the thoughts off and fall asleep. It’s not a quick process, nor is it foolproof; however, it does work mostly and will help me fall asleep.

I have experienced more severe symptoms in days gone past when I have become really sleep-deprived, pre-medication, and had many a might where this prevented me from sleeping until I saw the sun coming up. Not too bad in summer horrific in the winter.

Should You See a GP for Sleep Paralysis?

Personally, I would say yes, especially if you are experiencing this frequently. Sleep deprivation can harm your body and mind, and no one should suffer this way. It is thought most people will never experience this at all and if they do, no more than a few times over their life.

There is a lot of well-meaning advice regarding sleeping patterns and Fibromyalgia. Still, this makes no difference, and despite regular exercise, constant bedtime, etc., my sleep quality will still be verging on horrendous.

I would love for this to miraculously change, but realistically, this is unlikely. But as long as I can continue with the Mirtazapine, I know this particular sleep disorder will be under control. I take this instead of pain medication.

*Mirtazapine is an anti-depressant that makes you drowsy. I take it to help me fall asleep and stay asleep of a night, and I am on a 30mg dosage per night.