Friedreich’s Ataxia News Forums Forums Living With FA What medication do you take to help you sleep?

  • What medication do you take to help you sleep?

    Posted by Christina on April 28, 2025 at 8:41 am

    With FA, restless legs can be a symptom and cause those to have trouble falling asleep and/or maintaining to stay asleep.

    To help me avoid the numbness and pain in my legs, I take Baclofen and Gabapentin as muscle relaxers at night time prescribed by my neurologist. I also heard from members of the FA Community that taking Magnesium and Zinc may help too.

    Do you take medication? What remedy helps you best?

    Christina replied 3 weeks, 2 days ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Jeff Burress

    Member
    April 30, 2025 at 2:42 pm

    Christina,

    Thanks for sharing this information. In the last 2-3 years I have had this problem, sleeping at most 3-4 hours a night before waking up. I have found nothing that works. Do the prescriptions you mentioned have any side effects?

  • Christina

    Member
    May 1, 2025 at 6:42 am

    Hi Jeff!

    I am sorry to hear that you have been having issues sleeping!

    The only side effect is that I can feel groggy in the morning, which can make it physically hard to get out of bed. On those mornings, I have my husband help me!

    -Christina

    • n6te088

      Member
      May 3, 2025 at 12:55 pm

      Christina, thanks for the tip, I’ve been debating trying Gabapentin but wasn’t sure about the side effects. Grogginess I can manage if it means actually getting more than 3 hours of sleep!

      • Christina

        Member
        May 5, 2025 at 8:47 am

        Yes, it it definitely worth it in that regard!

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