People with lupus: do you find it difficult to sleep?

I'm only 18 and I was diagnosed with lupus about 4 years ago. From then until now I haven't really had a "flare", but for the past few days I've been finding it really difficult to fall asleep at nighttime. I didn't sleep at any time last night - I watched the sun as it rose. I usually find it difficult to fall asleep, but I always fall asleep in the end, and so last night was the first night I ever didn't fall asleep.

3 different people close to me have lupus. One being my aunt, who has always been a really negative/stressed/sad person anyways, but since being diagnosed with lupus 15 years ago she's totally stressed even more, and really let herself go. I hate to say it but lupus has turned her into a 70 year old woman type and she's only 40. She is in very bad shape. I truly believe her attitude, depression and negativity make her have bad flares and now her whole life is a mess.

My friend Adrienne has lupus, but she's had it for 10 years and you really wouldn't know shes sick 99.9% of the time. I've known her for 7 years and only seen her go thru a flare up of it one time. It was when we were working at this store during Christmas time, and she really over did herself. She was working like 70 hours and it made her have a flare. She swelled up from head to toe and had to go in the hospital for Christmas week :( After that, she told them 40 hours a week max, stress really did her in so she needed to take it easy.

3rd person I know has had lupus for 15-20 years, most of her life. She has spent most of her life fairly healthy with the exception of asthmatic symptoms from the lupus, but over the past year, she lost her job and became very stressed. The sleep issues began, she has to take Lunesta to help her sleep. And then the other symptoms kicked in, and she has some bone issues, and has to take prednisone every day which is bad for your body too.

The key to this is to avoid extreme stress! Stress seems to cause flare ups in everyone I know with Lupus. The more stressed the person has been, the worse their symptoms. I would ask your doc if theres a sleep med safe for you to take and not make you dependent. For me, NyQuil works wonders :) but you should ask to see if its safe for you. Lupus is nothing to play around with, as you may or may not know. It can be very serious. I don't want to scare you but it *can* be a big deal. It doesn't have to be. Try to enjoy life and take it easy :) Good luck.

I have Lupus and sleep is a problem for me. Sometimes more than others. I see a good doctor and have been prescribed depression and anxiety medications. The thought of going on medications was hard for me, but, the stress of going without sleep is even harder. I find that a regular routine works best for me. Check out the Lupus Foundation website and find a good doctor. Best Wishes.

That kinda sucks how people don't even bother to answer...but maybe you should just lay down, close your eyes, and turn on some music to put you to sleep...