trouble sleeping, only 9 days post-op anyone else?

I keep reading how everyone is sleeping like good princess'. I am the total opposite.. I cannot sleep at all. I lie awake until 1 or 2 in the morning. I can't even nap. Before my surgery I was asleep most nights before 10 and was dead weight in the A.M.. Has anyone else had trouble sleeping? I am going crazy because I am very tired.
Tracey

Hi Tracey --

In the first months of my recovery, insomnia was a major problem. I finally talked to my doc about it, because I really felt like I wasn't getting any rest. She gave me a prescription to help me get thru those days, and it really helped a lot........eventually it got much better, and I was able to stop taking the medication (it was Bellamine). There are other meds out there for this problem also.........you might want to consider asking your doc for advice or help with this, he might have some suggestions.

Good luck and I hope you get some


Ann
TAH/BSO 1/5/01

Are you having pain that interferes with sleep? If you have pain meds, even if you don't like to use them, take one an hour or so before bedtime. If you don't have pain meds, perhaps you can take something like Tylenol PM. Read the contraindicatrions on the bottle.

I have had immense trouble sleeping since surgery, starting in the hospital where I didn't get hardly any sleep. At first I had a terrible cough that interfered with my sleep. Now that my cough is improving and manageable, I still have trouble sleeping.

If I had to be honest, I do find myself quite depressed. I feel depressed and have a much lower frustration threshold. I think it's because of the chronic nature of recovery (feeling tired easily due to my anemia, still a long way from going back to work although I never thought I would miss work). I do take an antidepressant that I took before surgery (I had issues with my upcoming surgery and employment issues.).

Perhaps you have some depression as well. I wouldn't be surprised most of us do, even though I am glad I had it and can get back on track with my life. This surgery is a big procedure physically and emotionally. If your insomnia continues, I would check with your family doctor.

Hope you get some sleep soon!

Karen

I'm about 2 1/2 weeks post op and although I usually don't have a problem falling asleep, I wake up frequently during the night and have difficulty getting back to sleep. I have my post op on Monday. I will see what my MD says. It sure makes for a tiring day! I'm hoping it's short lived. I've never really had problems with insomnia before!

Karen
I cannot believe how close you are to me..Are you anywhere near Boardman? I have cousins there.
Any way, I too have taken an antidepressant (lexapro) for about a year so I don;t think that is it. I really don't feel depressed, just bored from sitting on the couch. If anything I am VERY anxious to get my "life" back on track. I still can't drive and I feel very trapped at home.

Peachy,
how long did your insomnia last? I have never had trouble sleeping until now and it is enough to make me want to pull my hair out.

tlynns I am with you. I had my TAH on 9-1-04 and am lucky to get 3 hours of sleep at night. I go to bed around 1am and reposition every 2 minutes until around 3 am. Finally fall asleep at 3 and am up by 6 every day. I normally sleep from 10 -6 every night. I am not depressed....I do have some discomfort and pains at times. I just cant sleep. I read another thread about a body pillow and am going to try that. I am hoping for at least 6 hours...
Well good luck
Tammy

Hi Tracey --

It's been a few years so it's kinda hard to remember exactly, but I think the insomnia lasted a few months before it got really better. I went to my doc and she prescribed Bellamine-S tablets. I don't normally like to take anything to help me sleep but I was getting pretty desperate. When I started on the Bellamine, it said to take one tablet each night before bedtime, but they were too much...........I found myself in a for hours the next morning and couldn't seem to get in gear til noon. So I started taking 1/2 a tablet and that worked well. I did that for quite a while -- probably a couple of months........and then cut it down to 1/4 a tablet and eventually quit taking it altogether.

I'm not sure from your post if you're still taking the Lexapro? You might want to ask your doc if slightly increasing the dosage of that.........just for the short term, while you're in recovery from your hyst.........could possibly help you sleep better.

When I first complained to my doc about my lack of sleep she told me to try drinking a glass of wine with dinner each night.........I'm not much of a drinker, I did it a couple of times and it did seem to help.

I know all about the boredom and the being stuck at home feeling. Try to find things you can do (read, hobbies, whatever) to help you pass the time -- I know, I know, you've heard this all before -- but it's important to give your body this chance to rest and heal. It's worth it later!!

Good luck --
's

Ann
TAH/BSO 1/5/01

I had my surgery 12 years ago.. Before there were many Doctors ready or willinng to address the problems that women have with hysterectomy. Not Sleeping is a real problem..
I believe it has somthing to do with the natural balance being disrupted. The part the endoctrine system plays in sleeping.
Surgery effects the hormone balance even without taking the ovaries..
It can take time to regulate..
My ovaries were removed, taking longer I suspect.
This is just an opinion I have, based on my own experience.. I had never had a problem for 44 years before the surgery, but the first night after I could not sleep. And it wasn't because I was not sleepy. I was so tired.. But as i would start to drift I would suddenly wake up. This happend every night.

For 14 months I barely slept an hour a night and it turned to depression and anxiety..
I finally found a Doctor that understood the sleep problem and prescribed tranxene.
Suddenly I could sleep!!
Hope this helps

I started using progesterone cream, took a little walk, and took two tylenol p.m. (Walgreen's version, much cheaper), and slept like a baby for 9 hours last night. First time in a week that I've made it through the night!

Hi! I do live near Boardman. Orange Village sounds familiar. I have a poor sense of direction.

Karen