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1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
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02-19-2015, 10:43 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 2,379
Hysterectomy: January 28th, 2014
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
Hey All,
I'm one yr out and doing well, but I still have insomnia. Nurse said to use benadryl and Dr didn't want me taking ambian more than a few times a week. I'm in my 40's and one ovary? I have a cup of tea at lunch but try to have no caffiene after that. Is there anything else I can do? Tried melotonin, doesn't seem to do much. I tried foods with l trytophan, I can't say I notice any difference. Any ideas ? Can't seem to fall asleep on my own, lay awake till 1 or 2. Agh.........
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02-22-2015, 02:03 PM
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Posts: 13,726
Hysterectomy: March 5th, 2003
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
Exercise helped me. I go to work out on bike and elliptical machine several times a week. Any kind of exercise that gets that heart rate up some. Fast walking is good for 30 mins. as well.
Benadryl helps. There are some over the counter sleep remedies with herbs in the drug store you might try. I used something called Midnite.
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02-22-2015, 04:59 PM
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Posts: 1,807
Hysterectomy: November 4th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
Hi Georgiarose.
About 6 1/2 years ago my issues with insomnia started. My doctor prescribed doxepin (brand name Sinequan). It's a tricyclic antidepressant that can be prescribed for sleep that I think is not supposed to have the side effects that other sleep meds have and isn't supposed to be addictive. I was on 25 mg at first and then it was upped to 50 mg. What I noticed at the higher dose was my pulse rate was in the mid 90s. Maybe the med was causing it, but maybe my reduced activity due to chronic fatigue was the cause. I don't know, but I went back to 25 mg. At some point I added melatonin. Prior to surgery my sleep was pretty well managed on those two. I will say surgery and having my ovaries taken pretty much made them ineffective. At 5 weeks post-op, I started on an estrogen patch while staying on the sleep meds. Sleep is much better now.
Not being able to sleep well is certainly no fun. I hope you find something that works for you.
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02-22-2015, 05:19 PM
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Posts: 19,781
Hysterectomy: May 29th, 2013
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
Valerian. You can buy it in capsules in any story that sells other herbal meds. (In Canada, this includes drugstores, supermarkets and Walmart. Not sure about the States.) It doesn't make you feel sleepy, but it helps you relax so that you can fall asleep on your own. I like it because it doesn't leave me feeling dry-mouthed the next day the way antihistamines do (e.g. Benadryl, Gravol/Dramamine)
Warning: valerian has a strong scent. To me, it smells like rotting flowers. My sister describes it as dried baby poo. The scent affects some people very strongly. I opened a bottle at work once and my officemate gagged and ran out of the office. However, if you can handle the scent, it's good stuff.
The other thing I find works for me is to avoid getting anxious about not sleeping. You've probably heard the advice that if you haven't fallen asleep after 20 minutes, you should get up and do something else for awhile? For me, that doesn't work at all. I keep checking the clock. "OMG, it's been 18 minutes already! Sleep, goshdarnit! Hurry up and sleep!"
Instead, I focus on *resting*, reminding myself that time spent resting will help me feel better the next day even if I never manage to sleep. I focus on restful factors of my environment: it's dark, it's quiet (if it's not, I put in ear plugs), the room temperature is comfortable for me (if it's not, I adjust it), my bed is comfortable, my body is stretched out comfortably on the bed and so on.
Usually what happens is that I eventually fall asleep. Sometimes what happens is that I fall into a non-sleeping meditative state. Either way, I feel better the next morning!
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02-22-2015, 05:19 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 2,379
Hysterectomy: January 28th, 2014
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
Thx. I still have one ovary. I've been exercising when weather permits. Dh is going to move an exercise machine back in house for me. I hope it helps, I've been doing melatonin. But doesn't seem to work much. Does it have to be in your system awhile ?
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02-22-2015, 05:29 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 2,379
Hysterectomy: January 28th, 2014
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
I guess I feel bad having to take something every night. I've never had this problem until the adeno and hyst. I thought it might settle down once I'd recovered from my hyst, but then the pulled hurting scar tissue and then piriformus syndrome, ugh..... Still having back pain, usually laying on my heating pad and stretching helps to reduce the discomfort. Yes, I try and do all those things, even turning the clock around so I can't see time. I m also cutting out lunch caffiene in hopes that will help. My morning cup , not comfy giving that up cause I really feel it helps my
Migraines. Thx for the suggestions ladies ! I don't nap either.
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02-22-2015, 06:00 PM
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Posts: 1,807
Hysterectomy: November 4th, 2014
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
I wouldn't feel bad taking something every night if that's what you need to be able to sleep. I would rather take something and be able to sleep rather than lying awake for hours trying to go to sleep. Being tired and not getting enough sleep is what triggers migraines for me. As far as the melatonin goes, I don't know if it takes awhile for it to be effective like some meds do. I take 5mg every night and my family doctor said I could take up to 10 mg a night. You mention you have some pain. Are you hurting when you go to bed (pain keeping you awake)?
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02-22-2015, 07:16 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 2,379
Hysterectomy: January 28th, 2014
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
Yes at night my piriformus muscle under the gluteal muscle spasms, so I take a Flexeril as prescribed by Dr. Which helps. I take one at night. I usually don't take any other med, unless I get a migraine, which I finally feel like those are getting better. Yes I agree I feel much better when I get a good nights sleep. Thanks everyone
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02-22-2015, 07:26 PM
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Posts: 12,392
Hysterectomy: October 15th, 2009
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
I've taken valerian in the past with good results, also taken Calms Forte. Any herbs can potentially interact with other meds, so check if you are on any. I'm very caffeine sensitive and can onlly take it when I first gett up. Recently I tried light therapy. I got a small light therapy light and used it when I first got up. It's supposed to help sleep cycle and seemed to help me, although I've since stopped and still sleep OK, so that's not at all what I'd call proof-but maybe something to consider if other measures don't work out. Also I found a warm shower and doing my (hated) stretches helps me get loosened up enough to sleep. And I was instructed to get up at the same time, regardless of day of week or how I'd slept. Apparently having the same rising time helps regulate when you get to sleep, according to my Dr. I've been down that insomnia road and feel for you.
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02-22-2015, 07:50 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 2,379
Hysterectomy: January 28th, 2014
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Re: 1 year post hysterectomy-insomnia
Thanks yes I have the bedtime routine. I start shutting down lights, and usually wake up when husband does. Might try the melatonin again. I have to take mobic when a storm rolls in to prevent a barometric pressure migraine. Yes I guess I shouldn't stress over it, just trying to see if I am missing something. I hope one day, I'll be glad this is behind me. Until then I'll do the best I can.
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