I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s at the age of 52, and I have been living with the symptoms of young onset Parkinson’s for 15 years. I am not satisfied with the amount of sleep I am getting. I average 7 hours sleep at night and 1 hour of sleep during the day. My sleep patterns have changed since having young onset Parkinson’s, and my sleep patterns are also affecting my partner. The factors impacting on my ability to sleep include sleep apnoea, daytime sleepiness, REM sleep behaviour, night-time confusion, cramping, difficulty turning over in bed, nightmares, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), rigidity while in bed, Periodic Leg Movement Disorder (PLMD), talking or yelling out while asleep, tremors while in bed, pain, depression and night-time hallucinations.
Strategies that have been useful or could be useful in improving my sleep patterns include talking to a health professional, increasing exercise during the day, tracking my sleep patterns, limiting the amount of fluid I drink before bed to avoid night time urination, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, avoiding stimulants such as alcohol, caffeine and nicotine before bed, using satin sheets and pyjamas to assist with movement in bed, having a bedtime routine, limiting daytime naps, going to the toilet directly before bed, a CPAP Machine to provide continuous air flow. I have burning pain in my feet most nights. I use a cradle over my feet and I have a bed hand pull over my bed.
