How MS and Insomnia Are Connected

Insomnia is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), one that can significantly interfere with your quality of life by contributing to daytime fatigue and low energy. Many experts believe sleep-related disorders are direct consequences of the physical and emotional burden of MS.

One study reported that 32% of participants with MS had moderate-to-severe insomnia—more than twice the national average. Moreover, 51% said it took them more than half an hour to fall asleep at night.

Still, these sleep concerns are grossly underdiagnosed in people with MS. It's important for you to talk to your neurologist about any sleep problems you have.

This article will explore the links between MS and insomnia, as well as how to get better sleep.

Causes of Insomnia in MS

Research suggests uncontrolled or worsening MS symptoms combined with anxiety and depression were largely to blame for the insomnia rates reported in studies.

Other contributing factors to sleep disturbances in MS include:

• Certain hormonal irregularities that may cause breathing disruption and sleep apnea
• Disruption of dopamine and norepinephrine (chemical messengers in the brain) that may result in narcolepsy and interfere with sleep patterns
• Napping in the daytime due to fatigue, which may lead to insomnia at night
• MS symptoms like restless legs, temperature dysregulation, and urinary control, which may also interrupt sleep

Insomnia Types

There are three different types of insomnia. Each affects a different phase of sleep and has different MS-related causes.

Initial Insomnia

Initial insomnia is defined as the inability or difficulty to fall asleep. In people with MS, initial insomnia may be caused by neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain as well as certain medications known to cause sleeping difficulties.

Middle Insomnia

Middle insomnia is when you awaken during the night and cannot fall back asleep. Ironically, people with higher daytime fatigue are more likely to experience middle insomnia. Other MS-related symptoms such as muscle spasms and nocturia (the urge to urinate at night) can also cause this effect.

Terminal Insomnia

Terminal insomnia is simply waking up too early. The cause of terminal insomnia in people with MS is not well understood, but some believe that a lack of exposure to daylight (particularly in those with depression) may contribute.

Diagnosis of Insomnia

There is no definitive test for insomnia. Healthcare providers use many different tools to diagnose and measure insomnia symptoms, including:

• Sleep logs: A sleep log is a simple diary in which you record details about your sleep, such as your bedtime, wake up time, and how sleepy you feel at various times during the day.
• Sleep inventories: A sleep inventory is an extensive questionnaire that gathers information about your personal health, medical history, and sleep patterns.
• Sleep studies (polysomnography): You sleep in a lab while connected to machines that monitor your sleep stages, oxygen levels, movements, and heart and breathing patterns.

Insomnia Treatment

As a first step, your healthcare provider should make sure the MS symptoms that may be contributing to your sleep problems are addressed—such as urinary problems or restless legs syndrome.

While many people consider sleeping pills to be the first-line treatment of choice for insomnia, sleep medications have their downsides and limitations. All in all, while they may offer benefits over the short term, the drugs tend to lose their effectiveness quickly and are potentially addictive.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) is a drug-free alternative that is often turned to as a first-line treatment for insomnia. Among its benefits, it may help train your brain to associate your bed with sleep, not wakefulness.

Other people turn to medical devices such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat sleep apnea and bright light therapy to treat circadian rhythm sleep disorders. These conditions, though, need to be diagnosed by a healthcare professional first.

A Word From Verywell

If you are having sleeping difficulties and have tried simple measures like the ones mentioned above without much relief, be sure to talk with your neurologist. Together, you may be able to find the culprit behind your sleep problems. In some cases, your healthcare provider will refer you to a sleep specialist for proper treatment.