I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s at the age of 30, and I have been living with the symptoms of young onset Parkinson’s for 10 years. I am not satisfied with the amount of sleep I am getting, and I am averaging 3-4 hours at night and 2 hours during the day. My sleep patterns have changed since having young onset Parkinson’s, and my sleep patterns are also affecting my partner. Factors impacting on my ability to sleep include daytime sleepiness, cramping, difficulty turning over in bed, insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), frequent awakening, rigidity while in bed, night-time urination, Periodic Leg Movement Disorder (PLMD), panic attacks, tremors while in bed, pain and depression. 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, keeping busy during the day, 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, having a bedtime routine, limiting daytime naps, adjustments to my medication as determined by my health professional, adjusting your medication without guidance from my health professional and listening to music. Cramping and muscle stiffness are a major factor when it comes to lack of sleep and irregular sleeping patterns, and often results in pulled muscles/ muscle pain around the neck, shoulder and head area.

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