Pharmacopeia
Pain and sleeping problems go hand-in-hand and exacerbate each other's symptoms. Doctors will often recommend behavioral changes such as relaxation techniques, hypnosis and creating a sleep-inducing environment. When these tactics are not effective, medication to treat both the pain and sleeping difficulty becomes important.
Significance
According to Dr. Andrew R. Block, not getting adequate amounts of sleep can worsen your pain level. This, in turn, makes sleeping increasingly difficult, engaging tired pain sufferers in a vicious cycle.
Talking to Your Doctor
The type of medication that will be most beneficial for you will largely depend on the type of pain that you are experiencing (i.e. burning pain, stabbing pain or dull aches). Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and the best treatment options for you.
Commonly Prescribed Medications
Commonly used prescription medications include anticonvulsants (such as gabapentin, pregabalin or carbamazepine); anti-depressants (such as nortriptyline, citalopram or duloxetine); tramadol; opiods or OTC medications (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen).
Sleeping Pills
Hypnotic medications may be helpful in inducing sleep and include benzodiazepines (like Restoril or Halcion) and newer non-benzodiazepines (such as Lunesta and Ambien).
Side Effects
Side effects vary in accordance with the medication that you are taking. For example, common side effects of gabapentin include sleepiness, upset stomach and dizziness while opiods may cause like nausea, bloating, sleepiness and constipation.
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