Once Upon A Mattress -Sleepless due to pain

In the 2005 Disney TV Movie "Once Upon A Mattress" (which is adapted from the Hans Christian Anderson story of the "Princess And The Pea") the Queen proposes a test to reveal if her son's intended is indeed a Princess. Not wanting her son to marry, the Queen places a pea under twenty mattresses to see if the so called Princess will be able to sleep. Princess Winifred has a sleepless night and complains of being black and blue, thus passing the test.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL5D1DCB3874AD396C&v=MKNOMSbQUSE&NR=1&feature=endscreen

I may not be a real life Princess, but I have had more than my share of sleepless nights. For many of us who suffer with chronic pain our nights consist of tossing and turning and waking up feeling tired and black and blue. I have checked and I am happy to report that I did not find a pea under my mattress.

"People who suffer from chronic pain often find that their problems are compounded by the additional difficulties that come with insomnia and sleeping disorders. Of those who report experiencing chronic pain (about 15% of the general U.S. population and 50% of the elderly), approximately 65% report having sleep disorders, such as disrupted or non-restorative sleep.

The term "insomnia" includes all types of sleeping problems, such as difficulty falling asleep, staying sleep, and wakening earlier and more often than desired. Of all medical conditions, pain is the number one cause of insomnia."

Source:  http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/chronic-pain-and-insomnia-breaking-cycle
By: William W. Deardoff, PhD, ABPP


Think about your usual bed time ritual.  In getting ready for bed, it is common to try to eliminate all distractions in order to relax and begin to fall asleep. This includes quieting the room, closing the shades, turning off the lights, radio, cell phone or TV, and trying to get comfortable.

But for chronic pain sufferers these are the "pea" under the mattress, the very things that can cause us problems since the only thing left for the brain to focus on is the experience of pain. During the day (and the sleepless nights) these "distractions" are the primary pain management tools we use.  Which explains why you see me on-line or posting during the "wee" hours before dawn and catch me dozing off or napping during the day. I'm not depressed or lazy... I'm bone weary tired!

Because of the pain the quality of sleep is very light and un-refreshing. This "non-restorative" sleep pattern can and does cause lack of or diminished energy, fatigue, depressed moods, and worse pain during the day. It's a viscous cycle comparable to running in a hamster wheel burning off your all of your energy and yet not making any progress. (or losing any weight.)

Then there are the "Psychological" approaches which suggest the "mind over matter" aspect that can help to "override" or "re-balance" pain signals with more pleasant, sleep-inducing thoughts. A few of the techniques are:

• Hypnosis, which can help a patient associate certain actions with sleep such as turning off lights or closing doors and drapes. (You are getting sleepy, sleepy, nope I'm hungry. Guess it doesn't work for me)
• Visualization of something peaceful or relaxing, like clouds in a night sky, can be a good transition from the stressful day to a more restful nighttime. (I'm on a tropical beach, slathering on the sunscreen, did someone say shark?)
• Meditation or other relaxation practices that incorporate deep breathing and aim to free or compartmentalize feelings of stress in the body. (Breath in and out, in and out, in and out. Just my luck I ended up hyperventilating!)
• If worrying is a major deterrent to sleep, try “forced worrying”. Several hours before bedtime create a brief period of time (15 minutes or so) to write down worries. Then leave the room where you wrote down the worries, and if worrying recurs, remind yourself that you will have time to think about these worries tomorrow. (This one is not for me, I've learned to give all my worries to God. After all, He already knows the final outcome!)

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?" ~ Luke 12:25 (NIV)

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  ~Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

I don't mean to discount any of the above techniques. Use what works best for you. Personally, I have found the most effective technique for me is Prayer. When we focus on praising God and praying for others it take our focus off ourselves and our pain. Besides Satan will use any means to divert our attention from God and this usually means I fall asleep...the only way to shut me up!

Those of us with chronic pain and illnesses suffer more than people see on the outside. Even as Christians we at times have lost hope, or faith. We need God help to hold us up during the daily struggles of life. 

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and to be with your forever- the Spirit in truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him or knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."~ John 14:16-17 (NIV)

Jesus told us He would send us the Holy Spirit to be our counselor, our helper and our comforter. This is exactly what hurting people need - a counselor, a helper and a comforter.  We especially need wisdom and clarity of thought as we seek treatment and make medical decisions. He has the power to do what no person can do for themselves....bring healing miracles and cures and turn the impossibilities into possibilities!

Praying for your comfort, wisdom as you seek answers, hope for the future and healing miracles to turn your impossibilities into possibilities!

Blessings! :)