Sleeping post op

[Kelly G. 2]

I have read numerous posts about people having trouble sleeping after the VSG. I am a shift worker, so sleep issues is something I am familiar with. About 5 years ago, I discovered Melatonin. It is a natural "chemical" that is found in your body that makes you sleepy. I take it when I am working days. When working nights, I sleep all day with no problems. It makes me sleep very well, and no hung over feeling when I wake up. I take a 3 mg tablet about 1 hour before I want to go to sleep. A few coworkers have reported strange dreams, but it does not cause issues for me. I buy it at my grocery store in the Vitamin and herb section. Might be worth a try.

[ichefmastersgirl 4]

I am not sure why it happens. I take Ambien the Dr. said I could continue taking them so when I got home I have been taking them and I am still waking up between 5am and 6am not sure why but I do.

[TiffanyIsMajor 1]

Did your body adjust to it like it does most over the counter sleeping pills? Everything I take I end up having to take more of eventually because my body builds up tolerance to it? If not, I might need to try that = D

Thanks,

Tiff

[Kelly G. 2]

I normally use it about 7 nights per month. Only on rare occasions does it not work. I do not know what it would do if taken every night.

[stcyt 15]

I took ambien every night for about a year. It got to where I absolutly could not sleep without it and with it I couldn't sleep more than a few hours and then I would be wide awake. I use it now about 2X per month. I wouldn't recomend it for nightly use.

I have had horrible insomnia my whole life. Is this likely to worsen after surgery?

Stacey

[excited2lose 0]

I haven't had any issues, but I use the target brand sleep aid (gel tabs) a few times a week. They work great. I have always had sleep issues, so I can't really say whether this problem is an after surgery issue.

[lmmore 0]

I too have had sleep issues since this procedure. I wake up at 3am or 6 am, no matter if I take an ambien or not. I wonder what part of this operation is causing the chemical imbalance. Interesting question.

Les

[ouroborous 519]

From what I understand, oral melatonin is basically an expensive placebo; the body metabolizes it into inert compounds before it can get anywhere near your sleep regulation systems.

I've had lifelong problems getting to sleep and staying asleep. I've tried every substance known to man, from Ambien to alcohol, and honestly the most reliable sleep aid I can find is -- healthy habits! From getting as much exercise as possible to turning out the lights early, those little things REALLY make a difference. On the nights when I'm still having troubles, good old Tylenol PM usually kicks me over the edge. If it's worse than that, then nothing that's not a narcotic is going to help!

[Kelly G. 2]

I work with many shift workers that would disagree with you about melatonin being an "expensive placebo". I think 60 of them cost $6 or $7. There is no doubt they work for us shift workers.

[Tiffykins 672]

I tried taking melatonin, but I suffered from the lucid, vivid dreams. Totally creepy dreams that made me wake up shuddering.

I did take Ambien for awhile post-op. Not every day, it was after my hospitalization in July, and I had to take it to sleep. I was extraordinarily stressed, John's communication was cut that month in Afghanistan, so recovering from the abscesses, zero comm/contact from the husband during a deployment, having the kiddo, and all of the normal life stress stuff, definitely caused insomnia. I used it nightly for a couple of weeks then just occasionally for another couple of months. I stretched the RX out so I could have it when needed. I did not suffer any weird side effects with the Ambien, but it was not the controlled release RX.

[Phatcurves 3]

I forgot to look when this was posted but for those of you who posted are you just post op or is this sleepless thing happening months out. I am a very bad insomniac so this is really getting my attention.

[ichefmastersgirl 4]

I forgot to look when this was posted but for those of you who posted are you just post op or is this sleepless thing happening months out. I am a very bad insomniac so this is really getting my attention.

I am post op at 10 days and have not been able to sleep past 6am even with my Ambien.

[stcyt 15]

Good question Phatcurves. I hope its not a long term problem.

I have noticed that when I do Atkins I cant sleep. I wonder if the lack of carbs has something to do with it.

Stacey

[Smelly Melly 0]

Melatonin is brilliant! My 7 year old son has autism and has problems switching off and getting to sleep. His paediatrician perscribed a low dose for him just to relax enough so he can drift off to sleep. I believe it is used to help you get to sleep, not to keep you asleep. He has not had any nighmares only a peaceful slumber :closedeyes: In Australia you can only get it with a script from a specialist like a Paed. It costs me $55 for 15ml of Raspberry flavoured Syrup plus postage because you can only purchase it from a few specialist pharmacies. It is very difficult to get but in my sons case it is well worth every cent. I was actually considering buying myself some online to try.

[ouroborous 519]

Interesting. My cautions regarding melatonin came from a doctor, who told me to "save my money" since the body just metabolized it away during digestion. Here's a link to a double-blind NIH study showing that melatonin was no more effective than placebo for treating primary insomnia: Treatment of primary insomnia with melatonin: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study

However, AFAIK, oral melatonin doesn't cause any harm, however, so if it helps you, go for it. Even if it IS just a placebo, don't underestimate the power of placebos. If you have something that makes you believe you "can sleep now," just that belief alone might be sufficient to LET you sleep!

Bottom line, it doesn't cause any harm, and if it helps you, why not?

Edit: doing further research shows that the verdict isn't yet final. Here's a slightly less "authoritative," but still insteresting study showing the opposite: http://www.springerlink.com/content/756t11t76616540k/

Doing more research, it appears that melatonin may be useful in treating some specific CAUSES of insomnia, such as asthma and Alzheimer's disease. As a generic "sleep aid," however, it appears ineffective. As is so often the case, however, there are "warring studies." So I'd still stick with "if it works for you, go for it."

Edited April 18, 2010 by ouroborous