Sleep position causing joint pain

Hello All- I realize that my posts are sometimes considered silly but I am wondering if any one could help me with this REAL problem. I am experiencing some joint stiffness etc. due to my sleep position. I have to sleep on my back because if I sleep on my side aerophagia is much worse and that contributes to GERD symptoms. Anyway, sleeping on my back all night long EVERY night has caused my joints to become sore and stiff along with my back. I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions as to how to ease these problems. I was considering glucosamine but was unsure if it would make my GERD worse. I cannot use NSAID's due to the GERD and Tylenol does nothing for me. I use a wedge pillow along with one of those "neck" pillows that helps with neck pain. This is really beginning to bother me alot and of course the docs just say it is from"getting older" which I understand but I still would like to try to find a solution that does not involve taking some OVER PRICED medication. BTW- I do also take fish oil caps every day. I noticed that these symptoms have seemed to get worse since I started on Pepcid(2 times a day), has anyone else noticed this? I hope someone can give me some helpful suggestions. Thanks-GG

Good morning grumpy, I too found that I was having stiffness and some discomfort in my joints after I started cpap. I figured it out rather quickly. When I was sleeping successfully on cpap I was sleeping through the night and not moving. Age does play into waking up with aches and pains to a point. I am 44 and I now say if I don't wake up with something bothering me, I haven't been putting in an honest days work or I woke up dead.

I have several injuries that happened at work and I do take glucosamine to help with the joint pain. If it weren't for taking that, I would have trouble functioning and wouldn't be able to work. I also take nexium and I do have to say that my acid reflux has been better since I have been on cpap.

I sleep with a memory foam pillow. I would suggest trying a different pillow, or adding something to what you have or changing it in some way.

Good luck.

GG - I don't know anything about your situation other than this post, but would exercise and stretching be an option? Muscles which are used are much more resilient at cradling your joints. Other suggestions are hot tubs / hot baths and massage.

(I'm 41 and usually sore but very active physically - I chase after soreness. )

I'm saving my pennies for a TempurPedic mattress. Right now I have a "cheap imitation" of a 3 inch memory foam mattress pad, and it has sold me on the concept. It was about $150 delivered for a king size, and while I love it, you do get what you pay for and the integrity of the foam is starting to diminish after a couple of years. I knew this going in, but was able to proof out the concept before throwing down the chips.

I love this pad. Any way I sleep I kind of melt into the foam with great support and no problems with joint pain.

Some kind of pillow or bolster under your knees?
And I know I'm not the only who assumes no question is stupid, and every problem is REAL for the person who encounters it.
As others have said...some kind of exercises during the day and when you get up?
O.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as sleep apnea. I've had RA longer than I've had sleep apnea but, because of joint pain with the RA, sleeping on my back is the only possible position for sleeping or I am awake most of the night with pain.

I do a series of stretching and range of motion exercises before I get out of bed every morning. These exercises are for my whole body. I do the lower body ones lying down and sit up on the side fo the bed to do the upper body. These are exercises given to me by The Arhtritis Society and I have done them every morning AND EVERY EVENING for the 19 years that I have had RA and will continue them! These exercises take maybe 5 -1o minutes. I do other exercise as well. I walk as much as possible, ride a stationary bike, do some weight work and Tai Chi. All of these help a lot with stiffness and pain.

It really helps me to start the morning better and be moving easier.

By the way, I tried a Temperpedic mattress a couple of year ago and it made me sleep with even less movement at night and I woke up with more and more stiffness every morning. I had that bed on a 90 day trial (thank goodness) and sent it back. It may not be like that for everyone but thought I should mention it.

If you PM me your email address, I will send you these stretching exercises that I do in the morning and in the evening.

Hi,

I have chronic Lyme disease, and one of my symptoms is joint and muscle pain. I heartily second the idea of movement being important to maintain lower levels of pain. There is an interesting series of books by a physical therapist, the first one called Pain Free. He gives a series of simple exercises for every type of pain, depending on where it is in the body, focusing on correcting alignment problems. Very helpful if you don't know where to start. His books are all listed on Amazon.

Instead of a memory foam mattress (can't stand the chemical smell), I got a 4" wool mattress pad. I love it! It absorbs moisture from the body during the night, and keeps your temperature more even summer and winter. They say that using a wool comforter works even better, but I can't afford to replace what I have yet.

I have a temperpedic mattress and it is awesome. However, what has really made the difference is exercise. I do a decent workout (about 30 minutes of walking) during the day and another ten minutes or so an hour before bed. That before bedtime workout is what really helps my sleep. I know if I don't do it because I don't sleep as well and wake up achey.