Insomnia

[thinoneday 445]

Did anyone else have really bad sleeping patterns after surgery? I toss and turn and have really bad dreams (very vivid) since my surgery. . . I wake up with headaches that go away after about 30 - 45 minutes without tylenol. . .any comments?

[Tiffykins 672]

Yeppers, I had horrible insomnia, and slept very sporadically.

My surgeon gave me a RX for Ambien, and that resolved my issues. I had a 30 day supply that lasted over 2 months bc I only took one every 2-3 sometimes 4 days. It seemed once I got back into a good pattern I didn't need it. A lot of my issues with sleeping were related to John being deployed, and our communication was null and void for several weeks.

I did NOT have any horrible side-effects with the Ambien. It was the regular Ambien, not Ambien CR. I would take it, 30 minutes later I was relaxed, and about 30 minutes later I was asleep. I slept 7-8 hours, and woke up, well-rested and alert.

[thinoneday 445]

I am highly allergic to valium, ambien, versad, lunesta, any one of those sleepy things except for benedryl. . .(that is what they use for a calming thing when i go for surgery) so I'm wondering if i should ride it out or just take the benedryl? What do you think Tiff?

[Tiffykins 672]

Now, this is my non-medical professional opinion. But, sleep, and being well-rested is essential for healing. Your body stresses when you don't get enough sleep.

If Benadryl works for you, I would take it. Sleep is a necessary evil especially early out in the recovery process. Your body is going through enough right now, and it's needs to rest to recharge.

I know that I did take some Tylenol PM when John first came home because he boogared up my sleep schedule trying to transition from Afghanistan to US time.

[thinoneday 445]

Thanks Tiff, I'll probably go ahead and do that. . . thanks again!

[OMG123 0]

I also have a terrible time with sleep. I am able to fall asleep most nights but I am not able to sleep more than 2 or 3 hours before I wake up and NOT fall asleep again. My doctor has me on Ambien to fall asleep and Trazodone to stay asleep. Now I am able to get a solid 6 or 7 hours a night!

[BobBayCityMI 111]

Goodness, no. I am just the opposite. I have very good sleeping patterns; too good. My energy level is still below what I had hoped for, and I can go to bed at 7:30 to 8 and can sleep soundly until 5:30 the next morning. Sleeping drugs scare me as I am afraid of any addiction to that type of thing. I no longer snore, and it is a solid sleep. I wish you well.

[Shontel 3]

I already was taking Lunesta before my surgery. But early out, it wouldn't even work for me, I guess it was because I was so uncomfortable. Then when I got the abcess, It was even worse. I now get tired but still use my Lunesta as I will wake during the night if I don't. I think the phisiology of our bodies are changing, that has to have an effect somewhere...for me at least.

[Malaika 50]

I took Bendaryl for about 4 days because I wasn't able to sleep soundly - that seemed to help; now when/if I have trouble for a few days, I'll take Tylenol PM - it's non-addictive and it allows me to get a sound night sleep. I have found that I do need more sleep than I did before I had my surgery - I used to be able to get by on 5 hours and feel great - now I seem to require at least 6-7 to feel rested.