Sleepless in Alaska

I'm almost 5 weeks post-op after a LSH, all went very well. But for the past week, I can't sleep at night, I was up again until 3 this morning, and had to wake up at 6. Has anyone else had any insomnia issues after their hyst? I think I'm going to call the doc today and get some sleeping pills. I'm exhausted. I've recently started a new job and I need to be on top of my game.

Thank you!
Kari

Hi. I'm also up here in Alaska. I'm almost 4 weeks post-op. I'm taking Tylenol PM. Makes me drowsey within about an hour. I'm able to sleep for about 5 hrs.

Where in Alaska are you? I'm in Juneau. I went to Seattle (Swedish Hospital) for surgery. I wasn't going to let them do it here. Do you have troubles sleeping if you don't take the Tylenol PM?
Talk to you soon!
Kari

insomnia is very common after having a hyst. and night after sleepless night can really wear you down.

my dr. prescribed ambian and it worked wonders. tylanol PM or over the counter sleeping pill have a tendancy to leave me groggy in the morning.

give you dr. a call. my dr. did not hesitate to give me a prescription.

hoping the sand man visits you soon!

jane321

I'm in Wasilla. Yes, I do have difficulty falling asleep if I don't take the Tylanol PM. Toss and turn, waking up several times during the night. Right now I take the Tylanol, try to stay up as long as I can, maybe 11:30-midnight, then I can sleep until almost 6am. I'm usually up very early in the morning anyway. I figure, if I can manage to get 5 solid hours, I'll be good to go for the day. I was taking a nap during the day, but not now. I had sleep trouble prior to surgery too, for several months. Other than the sleeping trouble, things seem to get going well for me. I think I've either gained a few pounds (due to lack of physical activity), or it's my swelly belly. I think that's the toughest thing for me right now. I'm not overweight, but tend to fight 5 lbs. all the time. But, trying to do my physical activity tends to make my belly swell more. Anyway, try the Tylenol PM and see how it works for you. The dosage is 2, but I take 3.

Hi,
I also have insomnia since surgery. First it was due to pain, then I thought maybe it was due to the meds, now I am just resigned to think it is hormonal. I am NOT someone that has difficulty sleeping. Usually anytime anywhere i can fall asleep. But typically before surgery I was good if I got between 5-6 hours sleep. Now I am getting about 3 total I would say, and it does get exhausting.
I have tried the Tylenol PM, doesn't even make me sleepy, melatonin, Dr gave me ativan with no help, sleepytime tea, can't find anything yet that works. Hoping that when I go back to work at 8 weeks it will make me sleep.
I am pretty active during the day so I really don't think it is lack of activity.
Good luck to all of you sleeping!!!!! I think this is a pretty common complaint.
Tiffany

It's now 10 weeks since my surgery, and the my insomnia has gradually gotten worse every since. I have tried Tylenol PM, Melatonin and Unisom, they make me drowsy for awhile, but still can't sleep for more then 1-2 hours at a time. I am averaging a total of 2-4 hours sleep every night. I've also tried altering my diet to exclude anything that could be a stimulant.
I am having a great deal of difficulty waking and functioning in the morning, and am trying desperately to get to work on time and not let the sleep deprivation affect my performace on the job.

Oh, yeah, and I'm starting to lose hair - don't know if it's related.

I'm scheduled to see the Dr. tomorrow regarding this subject, will keep you posted.

This thread makes me feel so much better. I go to sleep ok but have been waking up each morning at 3 or 4 and CANNOT go back to sleep - grrrrr! I am pretty sure it is hormonal fluctuations. A teaspoon of benedryl helps me to go back to sleep until 6, but it contributes to the constipation problems I already have. It's nice to know I'm not alone - misery truely does love company. When I wake up at 3 tomorrow morning I will just think of all my sisters here who aren't sleeping well either.

In Alaska this time of year, don't you have 24 hrs of daylight? A fellow student when I was in graduate school (University of Phoenix Online) lives in Barrow, Alaska. She said there were 3-4 months in the summer where there was NO darkness. If so, does this 24 hrs of daylight impact your ability to sleep? Just wondering.......

Barb

This is not a solution that would be recommended by any doctor , and may not work for you, but it helps me on the rare occasion I can't sleep.

It's Neocitran, the hot lemon drink for colds and flu. I like the taste of it, and one night I was having trouble sleeping and didn't want to drink anything with caffeine (yeah, I know, it's full of chemicals - no one said I was logical!) so I made up a cup of it. I went to sleep fairly quickly afterwards, and slept through the night.

I've tried it again a couple of times since and it's always worked for me.

As I said, I've no idea if it would work for you, but it helps me.

HollyK