Symptom 4. Sleep Problems: The Elusive Slumber
Another distressing symptom of fibromyalgia is sleep problems. In a cruel twist of fate, the very respite that could help alleviate fatigue – good quality sleep – is often hard to come by for people with fibromyalgia. It’s a perfect storm of relentless fatigue, widespread pain, and elusive sleep.
Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and bruxism (teeth grinding) are just a few of the sleep disorders that are commonly associated with fibromyalgia. It’s like a restless dance, a continuous wrestling match with slumber that leaves you feeling more exhausted than refreshed.
Tossing and turning through the night is a common refrain. Falling asleep can be a monumental struggle, and just when sleep finally comes, staying asleep becomes the next challenge. Frequent waking through the night fragments sleep, turning it into a series of shallow naps instead of a deep, restorative slumber.
Deeper stages of sleep, specifically the rapid eye movement (REM) stage, are particularly elusive for individuals with fibromyalgia. The REM stage of sleep is crucial for cognitive functions like learning, memory, and mood. Disruptions in this stage of sleep can exacerbate cognitive difficulties and mood disorders, creating a complex web of interacting symptoms. (*)
