To stop trying to go to sleep and just stay awake

[farewellfigure]

I have chicken pox (see previous thread earlier today). My scalp is a burning ball of pain. My eyes hurt. My whole body itches. I've lain in bed for an hour trying to sleep but just can't. I'm now under a blanket in the lounge. Anyone else awake? I just feel there's no point in trying to sleep when it's pointless

Oh gosh, it sounds awful. What have you taken for it?

Paracetamol and brufen and lots of aqueous calamine cream. Oh and a bath with lots of oats. I'm tempted to have another bath but it would wake everyone up.

YABU
Every illness heals better during sleep. Try to sleep.

I really feel sorry for you though.

I tend not to sleep when I'm properly I'll. When I had flu I didn't sleep for several days. I don't think it really matters, you catch up when the worst is over.

But I was just lying there scratching. I went through the alphabet doing girls names, boys names, fruit, veg, flowers, illnesses and parts of the body but still didn't drift off.

Right I've had a glass of milk and will try again. Dog is going to get antihistamine tomorrow. Dog? DH I mean.

Oh, I'm so sorry! Sounds absolutely miserable! Perhaps a nice cool bath, barring that, would a cool cloth on your head ease your scalp at all? Are you taking fluids? How about some mindless telly with a cuppa? You will fall asleep when you are tired enough..

I am sending you lots of non itchy thoughts and healing vibes. I hope you can get some good rest soon..xx

Me
in lots of pain from Shoulder surgery

the pox is the pits

I remember having lots of baths when I had CP - they seemed to be the only thing that helped. It's a shame you don't have antihistamines in the house. Definitely get some tomorrow. I hope you feel better soon.

Sometimes I find listening to a radio drama on BBC iplayer helps - gives you something to focus on whilst still being in the dark and cosy in bed.

It won't work for me tonight I'm afraid as have congested 8 week old snoring and snorting like a wee piglet - poor wee man.

Hope you feel better soon.

We found that lots of bicarbonate of soda in the bath water dried up the spots quicker, I thought oats were for moisturising?

With DD1 I used Vira soothe, DD2 hated that, but she liked the old fashioned calamine lotion slathered all over her.

Get well soon.

I can't sleep because I woke up and feel like my dinner us still stuck in my stomach. I had a bug last week and apparently I am not back to normal yet ??

Ask DH to get you some Poxclin when he's picking up your antihistamines.

Antihistamines are the thing u need for itching. Have you got any piriton syrup for kids if you haven't got tablets?

I second listening to something - when I'm so ill I can't sleep, I find plugging headphones in and listening to a podcast/audiobook takes my mind off how miserable I'm feeling and lets me at least drift in and out a little even if not into a full sleep - more restful than lying there tossing and turning!

I would get Piriton rather than one of the newer antihistamines, as it has a side effect of major drowsiness.

I slept for half an hour between 5.30 and 6 then dozed off just before the alarm again. Luckily Tuesday is DH's work at home day so he has got up to do breakfast. I am so miserable ??

Old school antihistamine that makes you drowsy will help on both fronts, the itching and the lack of sleeping. The daddy of those is Phenargan which I think you can still buy otc.

Take it easy, CP is utterly wretched when you're an adult. A teacher I know caught it in their 40s, they were never ill and ended up being off work for almost 3 weeks with it.