Sick and Tired: Understanding and Managing Sleep Difficulties in ...

Another participant described:
“I find it quite restricting, because I‟m scared to arrange things because I
know I‟m going to be too tired, and if um, if I‟m going anywhere where I
know I‟ll be late back here then I think that I‟m going to need to book the
next day off work because I‟m going to be too tired to work.” [007 F53]
The extended burden
Participants were concerned about the impact of a poor nights sleep on their bed
partners and the pressure this placed on their relationship.
“I think it was half the trouble with my husband, I think it caused the
problem there, as I can remember him saying oh you kept me awake by
tossing and turning.” [006 F61]
The effect of a poor nights sleep also impacted on families and friends through the need
to cancel or reschedule activities, rest and nap during the day if their sleep had been
disturbed.
“It does concern me a lot, but they‟ve (children) adjusted and they know
that if I‟m bad, that they‟re fine with me laying down, whereas before it
would have been, they wouldn‟t handle it at all, you know, but now they just
know it‟s part of life really and that I need to have a sleep.” [011 F33]
Coping with poor sleep at night was also affected by the presence of a bed partner.
Reduced spontaneity
Participants described the need to plan and pace their activities in order to manage their
pain and fatigue. The need to schedule in times to rest and sleep caused some frustration
and resentment.
“All I know is, is that I never used to need a lot of sleep, never, and I now
really resent that fact that I need so much, I‟m not saying my life is so
exciting but when it‟s, just now I think oh, I have to plan it round, oh can I
have a lay in this weekend, can I do this, can I do that, I find that very hard
to cope with. [007 F53]
When planning for activities, participants also described the need to rest before, as well
as needing to allow time to rest and recover following activities:
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