Hey girl, sorry to hear you can't sleep... I know I usually don't *want* to sleep, knowing how uncomfortable it is to lay down sometimes and how much it will suck in the morning. I actually started a post earlier this week under "Tips" re: the whole sleeping thing. You might want to try something like valerian root or melatonin which can be very effective, as can benadryl or dramamine. Or I would think maybe your doctor could give you something rx.

I sleep with no pillow or a travel pillow (bean filled). It is amazing how much that helps. Electric blanket is essential too, and I usually use a memory foam mattress topper, though I used a featherbed one night earlier this week and I found I slept exceptionally well.

As for pain meds, I can say that I have been on them for a long time already and recently had to up the dose. I find I function much better with them, since without I don't know how I would take care of my kids and work full time. If you're in enough pain to really need them, you may find that you're less "fuzzy" than you think you'll be. If you get really tired or whoozy, it's probably too much medication. I see a pain specialist because of confounding car accident related issues with my back/neck and have herniated discs with nerve involvement throughout all levels of my back plus severe facet syndrome. I am 35...

I wish you well in giving the pain meds a chance just to see if they help and it's always about balancing benefit/risk to some extent. I used to worry a lot about dependence but at this point, I don't anymore. I am lucky to be holding my own in career due to great flexibility for telecommuting throughout the week.

Wishing you a good night, Jess

Dx'd AS (seronegative spondylarthopathy), Fibromyalgia 8/2007
Be happy for this moment... This moment is your life.