I am worried about my chronic lack of sleep due to constant pain. i am trying to get some relief but in the meantime i've been averaging an hour of sleep per night for over three weeks. what are the health implications of this?

Sleep is important: you know you could not continue like this actually your sleep deprivation will make your pain worst why are you in pain and why your doctor do not help the pain and help your insomnia try to take a combination of benadryl (diphenhydramine) and melatonin from OTC and try to take ibuprofen for your pain assuming you are allergic to either and connect with your PCP or a pain specialist for better care

Lack of sleep makes: everything worse. It can affect you both physically and mentally. Consult your doctor. There are effective treatments for this problem. You do not need to suffer.

Help pain and sleep: YOou need to get help for the pain, and possibly something additional for sleep. Ongoing, untreated pain runs the risk of becoming more difficult to treat. Lack of sleep makes pain worse -- and makes you vulnerable to many medical and psychological problems, over time. It's also miserable.

Can be catch 22: Pain can make sleep worse, insomnia can make pain worse. It’s best to have both issues addressed simultaneously by your doctor if at all possible. If these issues are under-treated, they can become harder to treat later on, in some patients w/pain or insomnia, they may develop mood symptoms. Please openly and honestly discuss with your doctor. Good luck!

Diagnosis first: I am sorry to hear your story--sleep deprivation difficult to bear. Obviously, you must get to the bottom if what is causing your pain and then have specific treatment for that problem if the pain is to be relieved. Minimal sleep certainly makes life difficult but not in itself life-threatening unless you have concommitant heart issues that could be exacerbated with the stress of your condition.

Insomnia and Aging: Pain is a stress which is causing Anxiety and Depression. Naps during daytime, lack of exercise, eating too much late in the evening, Caffeine, Nicotine and Alcohol use, GERD ,uncomfortable sleep environment, need to urinate frequently, Medications, or medical condition. Can cause sleep problem. See Physician for Diagnosis and Treatment. See Psychiatrist for Therapy to cope with pain, Relaxation