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?

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.

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?

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.