Painsomnia…

You made that word up!!! What is that ? What does that even mean? If my blog was for SickleCellers only, I would only post the title and I would have been understood, but in an effort to spread awareness of Sickle Cell Disease, and with me being up all night because of Painsomnia, now is the best time to elaborate on what it is.

Just from looking at the word one can already conclude that pain and insomnia together are involved in this. Well yes! They usually concoct a plan and they stop you from getting the well needed good night sleep, sleep that your body needs; sleep that tends to make you feel better.

Pain disturbs your sleep and since you’re not resting, you are at risk of developing chronic pain (pain crisis). Needless to say, I had a long night.

For a long time I thought this was only happening to me. I have had insomnia since I was 9 years old. I used to stay up and watch the moon; but I don’t recall actually having painsomnia. I’m not sure why I can’t remember that, but I’m not complaining.

I started to realize that my fellow Warriors also dealt with that because I would get text messages at all odd hours of the night.

When I get to sleep 12 hours straight I feel new and I have all this extra energy. I’m motivated to do way more than I already do; if only I could get those on a regular. I’m equipped to function on 2-3 hours a week; after all, I’m a Sickle Cell Warrior.

Smile, it could be worse!!!