By Carol Ryland

Everyone's who's been diagnosed with fibromyalgia learns quickly that the sleep disturbances they've experienced for years are part of a much larger picture. While the types of sleeping problems vary from person to person, virtually all fibromyalgia sufferers can relate to the misery, fatigue and depression that poor quality sleep, chronic insomnia and sleep disturbances like repetitive and ongoing nightmares, can cause.

For some, waking up once they finally fall asleep, is an ordeal in itself. Pain, depression and anxiety often accompany waking up. And then there's the fatigue. It feels like you've been up and about all night. I've heard it described as "running relay races in my sleep," even to the point of experiencing shortness of breath upon waking or trying to get up.

Some chronic insomnia sufferers will tell you that they fight sleep as long as possible to avoid or shorten rem-sleep cycle --- the dreamstate --- because it's so unpleasant to deal with the nightmares. Night terrors are not uncommon among fibromyalgia sufferers. Flashing and colored lights, and kaleidoscopic patterns appear for some people --- and I should know --- that's what I experienced as a child.

I remember trying to explain to my parents and doctors what I would see when I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. The colors would blend into nightmarish shapes and visions that I couldn't describe --- it was like every night was Halloween. I had self-inflicted chronic insomnia and no one really understood or offered any solution. As I grew older I either gradually outgrew most of the symptoms or learned to adapt --- I'm really not sure which. All I know is that I still experience vivid colors in some of my dreams, but they're not scary now. Some doctors would probably say that my control has something to do with my mental state and my recognition of the problem as a symptom. But I've also been working on another theory.

I've suffered with symptoms of fibromyalgia since I was about 5 years old. I had an accident that triggered my condition. It has given me a long time to develop coping techniques, and through trial and error, the ability to make some critical changes --- to my nutrition!

If you are a person who believes that fibromyalgia symptoms like trigger point pain and fatigue are caused at least in part, by chronic insomnia and poor quality sleep, you're not alone. Many of the other symptoms of fibromyalgia may result from or be adversely affected by an individial's inability to get adequate rest. That's why so many fibromyalgia sufferers take sleep inducing medication and end up dealing with the sometimes dangerous side-effects, drug interactions, and potential drug addiction. When one pill doesn't help anymore, we take two --- and so on.

So What Can You Do To Avoid The Pills And Take Control Of Your Chronic Insomnia and Sleep Disturbances?

What I learned from my own experience is that healing the body with proper nutrition will help to reduce and even eliminate fibromyalgia symptoms. Less pain and fatigue results in generally feeling better, which in turn helps a fibromyalgia sufferer feel less stressed and anxious. Sleep comes easier. Chronic insomnia in particular may be relieved by making some simple dietary changes.

Go with a heart-smart diet --- low sugar, low fat --- add fruits, vegetables and whole grain. Maintain a healthy weight and avoid foods that are known allergens. Avoid drinking a lot of caffeinated beverages --- and don't forget the protein. Effective nutritional supplements for fibromyalgia sufferers should include an adequate supply of lean, digestible protein to repair the body at the cellular level, as well as enzymes to aid with digestion and protein assimilation. It's widely accepted that a good diet complete with vitamins, minerals and amino acids --- protein's building blocks which support the muscles, nerves and brain --- may help to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

For those fibromyalgia sufferers with chronic insomnia, nightmares and sleep disturbances, there is hope. You can take control of your symptoms through proper diet, and get the restful sleep and healing that you need.

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