Hey everyone, I am almost 4 weeks post op, and since I came home I have had trouble falling asleep. Every night I had to take pain medication (hyxrocordone, and I think that's how it is spelled) in order to knock out. As a result I ended up constipated for almost two weeks. So here I am now it's 4:22am and can't seem to fall asleep! I go back to work on Tuesday, and would like to have gotten some rest. Any suggestions is appreciated.

I'm having restless legs along with the insomnia and it sucks! I quit taking my pain meds after the constipation issue. Now I'm up most nights til 4 or 5 am. I've been taking melatonin and a hot bath, but with little success. I hope you can figure something out!

Stop taking the pain med and substitute Benadryl or Tylenol PM. One of the signs of withdrawal is sleeplessness. Your not addicted to it but if your on it for a little while you may expreince some withdrawal symptoms like sleeplessness. I got the chills for 3 or 4 days.

I'm having trouble sleeping too. I thought it was restless legs, and I had some problems with this for a month prior to surgery too (anxiety? excitement?).

Yesterday I thought I'd try something different and went for a 1.5 mile walk a couple of hours before bedtime. Theory being that it might just use up extra nerves/energy and let me get a good night's sleep. Wrong! I was up at 4:45 am and could not go back to sleep! I finally got up at 6:00 am and I've been puttering around, reading the newspaper, etc. I don't start work until 10 am! Sigh.

Looks like I'll be buying some Benadryl today.

See your primary dr - Ambien works great and cut in half it's super tiny!

I know exactly how you feel! I had a problem with staying asleep. I got prescrip for ambien. it sure helps keep me asleep. It gets better slowly.

Honestly I sleep really well but don't sleep as long. I think now that I'm healthier I just don't need as much sleep. Prior to surgery as a diabetic I was sleepy or tired all the time. I could go to bed early and sleep late. Now it takes me awhile to unwind at night and I'm up early. Can't say i don't miss sleeping in but I love the extra energy.

My sleep pattern has changed drastically after surgery, too. I now go to bed at midnight and I'm always awake between six and seven am. Pre-op, I was always super tired, even when driving. I do have sleep apnea that I started using bi-pap for about 2 weeks prior to surgery, so I'm not sure if the need for less sleep is because of the bi-pap or because of weight loss. Either way, I'll take it. I'm more productive and energetic now than I have been in years!

Sorry for such a late response, I ended up falling asleep 20 minutes later. Can I take pills now? I wanted to try some melatonin but didn't know if I could take pills.

Sorry for such a late response' date=' I ended up falling asleep 20 minutes later. Can I take pills now? I wanted to try some melatonin but didn't know if I could take pills.[/quote']

As far as I know we are only allowed to take pills if they are the size of a regular m&m if they are bigger we need to crush them.

Sorry for such a late response' date=' I ended up falling asleep 20 minutes later. Can I take pills now? I wanted to try some melatonin but didn't know if I could take pills.[/quote']

I was told I can take any size pill. If the sleeve tolerates. And a lot of sleeves don't. Mine seems ok with it.

I am two weeks out and am still sleeping in a recliner because I habitually sleep on my left side and the couple times I tried to sleep in the bed I could not get comfortable because I wanted to roll on my side. Last night I tried and it was uncomfortable due to the surgery. So I rolled to my right and as I rolled my belly rolled with me and plopped on the other side I was painful like pulling a muscle . I am so ready to sleep in my bed again.