I just finished writing a two-part series of articles on the sleep problems that usually accompany fibromyalgia:  The Fibromyalgia Sleep Dilemma – Part I: Identifying the Problem and The Fibromyalgia Sleep Dilemma – Part II: Finding Solutions

I really debated whether I should go on to write this article sharing my own personal quest for a better quality of sleep, which could be considered the third part of the series.  Why?  Because some of what has worked for me is contradictory to the recommendations of sleep experts and I don't want to lead anyone down the wrong path.  But I've always tried to be honest with you and share my own personal experiences whenever possible, so I ultimately decided it was important to continue to do so.

Actually, a better title for this article might be “Do As I Say, Not As I Do.”  Admittedly, I currently live a rather unusual lifestyle that would not be practical for most people.  I'm single and work from home, so I am able to sleep whenever I want and work when I'm at my best – regardless the time of day or night.  But that is now.  My quest for better sleep began long before I had the luxury of such a flexible lifestyle.  It took many twists and turns as I learned by trial and error what worked for me and what didn't work. 

Before a Quest Was Necessary

As a child and young adult, I never seemed to require much sleep.  In fact, I found it very difficult to sleep more than about six hours a night.  Even as a teenager, when most kids were sleeping late, I was up bright and early.  I vividly remember spending the night at my cousin's house and trying to find ways to occupy myself for several hours in the morning until she woke up. 

I had always been both a morning person and a nightowl – a somewhat unusual combination.  Not surprisingly, I was also a “Type A” personality with a wide variety of interests and a determination to accomplish as much as I possibly could.  At one point I was actually working 60 hours a week, taking two college classes, working with the local theater group and teaching aerobics.  I pushed myself, sleeping less and less each night until many nights I would only sleep for two to three hours total. 

The Quest Begins

Then at age 40 everything came to a grinding halt when I developed mononucleosis.  I've often thought that my continuous lack of sleep must have been a big contributing factor to the mono.  Although I was sent to bed for six weeks, I never did fully recover from the mono.  A few months later, I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.  I didn't want to accept that diagnosis and although I had given up all of my other activities except for my job, I continued to push myself to keep up at work. 

A couple of years later, I was in a bad car accident.  Although the visible woulds from the accident eventually healed, I was left feeling worse than ever.  The pain and fatigue were overwhelming.  It would be several more years before I was finally given an accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia.