Getting a good night’s sleep is essential but can be elusive if you’re living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Sometimes it may feel like your mattress is preventing you from resting properly.

“I rarely sleep a full night due to pain. I feel so miserable. We’re going to get a new mattress,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. Another likened their sleep issues to a familiar children’s story: “Every wrinkle, seam, or a pea under 10 mattresses gives me pain.”

If you’re hoping that a new mattress could lead to better sleep, check out a few recommendations that may help you choose the right mattress for you.

The Link Between Psoriatic Arthritis and Sleep Issues

From 30 percent to 85 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis experience sleep issues, according to a 2023 analysis of studies. Inadequate sleep can lead to a lower quality of life and increased fatigue, and it’s important to understand the connection with PsA.

Pain

Many people living with psoriatic arthritis report that pain keeps them from getting quality sleep. The pain itself might be so intense that it keeps you awake, resulting in a symptom called “painsomnia.” You also may be unable to get comfortable in bed because your pain intensifies in certain sleeping positions.

“I had a bad night — feet, legs, wrists, and hands were throbbing. I couldn’t get comfortable no matter what,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. “Then, when I finally fell asleep, it was time to get up for work!”

The best way to manage chronic pain is to find an appropriate treatment for your psoriatic arthritis. With your symptoms under control, the pain will subside, and you may find that your sleep improves.

“I thought I had a bad mattress, but it turns out it was the arthritis!” one member wrote after a month on PsA treatment.

Medication Side Effects

Some people with psoriatic arthritis may take corticosteroids as part of their treatment regimen. Although these medications can be very helpful for treating symptoms, they may also cause sleep disruptions, including insomnia.

If you suspect that your medications are keeping you awake, talk to your rheumatologist about potentially adjusting your dosage or switching to a new drug.

Itchy Skin

Sleep issues like insomnia could be due to itching, which can be a psoriatic arthritis symptom. Itchy skin may make it hard to fall asleep and could even wake you from a sound sleep. “The itchiness is no joke,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. “I’ve started doing it in my sleep when it isn’t straight-up waking me up.”

Sleep Apnea

People with psoriatic arthritis have a significantly higher risk of developing sleep apnea than individuals in the general population. Sleep apnea causes a person’s breathing to stop and restart multiple times throughout their sleep cycle, and this condition can lead to poor-quality, interrupted sleep.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, ask your doctor to refer you for a sleep test. There are treatments available to help if you’re diagnosed with this disorder.

An Unsuitable Mattress

Some people who aren’t sleeping well find that the problem may be related to their mattress. One study found that about 7 percent of overall sleep issues stemmed from an uncomfortable mattress. If you’re already in discomfort from psoriatic arthritis, sleeping on a mattress that makes your symptoms worse can further reduce your ability to sleep well.

“The mattress stores are finally open,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member wrote. “Hoping to get there today or tomorrow. I’m so tired of sleeping in pain.”

What To Look for in a New Mattress

If you’re in the market for a mattress that might improve your sleep quality, think about your personal preferences first. Sharing this information with the mattress experts at the store can be helpful because side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers all have different needs.

Evaluate Levels of Firmness

Next, you’ll want to evaluate how mattress firmness levels affect your symptoms. Experts advise that you look for a medium-firm mattress rather than one that’s too soft or too hard. A firmer mattress may be too rigid to provide you with enough cushioning and comfort, while a softer mattress may not provide enough support for adequate pain relief. By finding a high-quality hybrid mattress, which combines foam comfort and innerspring support, you may be able to reduce your joint pain and back pain to improve your sleep.

If you find that the supportive mattress firmness you selected gives you the pain relief you need, but you’d like more comfort and softness, you might consider using a pillow top mattress topper between your fitted sheet and the mattress.

MyPsoriasisTeam members have shared different experiences when it comes to the right mattress for them. “I’m sleeping on a firm mattress, and it’s helping a lot,” one member wrote.

Another member said, “I have a memory foam mattress. It was much cheaper than the regular foam mattresses, and I would highly recommend it. It conforms to your body, but yet it is not too firm.”

Bring Your Partner Mattress Shopping

Plan to spend a significant amount of time at the mattress store to test out different firmness options so you can find a good mattress that meets your needs. If you normally sleep in the same bed with someone else, it may help to bring them along.

The mattress salesperson can evaluate if motion transfer occurs when the two of you lie in the bed together. This means that when one person shifts around during sleep, the other side of the bed also moves, which can be disruptive. The salesperson might recommend a mattress with motion isolation, such as an option that uses memory foam or individual coils to better absorb bouncy movements.

Look for Options With a Trial Period

Consider looking for a quality mattress with a trial period or a lifetime warranty. A trial period allows you to test out the mattress under normal sleeping conditions at home to make sure that it works for you. A warranty can help ensure that you’re purchasing a mattress with quality materials that will hold up to the wear and tear of normal use. If they don’t, you can get your money back or receive a replacement.

If your sleep issues persist even after you’ve purchased a new mattress, talk to your rheumatologist to evaluate what might be causing your sleeping problems. They may have suggestions and strategies that can help you get the rest you need.

Find Your Team

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis as well as their loved ones. More than 126,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their experiences with others who understand life with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

Have you found a type of mattress that helped ease your psoriatic arthritis pain? Do you have any advice for others with PsA and sleeping problems? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below or by posting on your Activities page.