I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s at the age of 40, and I have been living with the symptoms of young onset Parkinson’s for 20 years. I am not satisfied at all with the amount of sleep I am getting. I am unsatisfied, very unsatisfied. l sleep in 2 hour shifts, interrupted by pain. Possibly 5 hours total, and I don’t sleep during the day. My sleep patterns have changed since having young onset Parkinson’s, and my sleep patterns are also affecting my partner. I annoy him and I have a separate bed. The factors impacting on my ability to sleep include frequent awakening, difficulty turning over in bed, rigidity while in bed, night-time urination and pain.

The 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, avoiding screen time before bed, going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, getting as much natural light during the day as possible, going to the toilet directly before bed, using my bed as a place for sleep and not for watching TV or reading, avoiding stimulants such as alcohol caffeine and nicotine before bed, adjustments to my medication as determined by my health professional as well as adjusting my medication without guidance from my health professional, listening to music, meditation and listening to theta brain wave mhrz. l highly suggest everyone to watch a YouTube video which explains pain in PD perfectly…” Pain and Fatigue in Parkinson’s Disease- 2019 Parkinson’s Educational symposium” UF Health centre.

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