6 days post op and unable to SLEEP

Help!! I am six days post op (TVH 3/29) and I have been unable to sleep the past four nights. I have never had this problem before. I thought it might be the pain med, but I have been off those for two nights. I have even stopped taking a nap during the day and nothing seems to work. Anyone out there have this problem or know what to do??
Carri

Carri - Sleep disruptions are very normal after hyst. Some women take tylenol PM about an hour before bed...I usually take OTC sleep aid when I have problems. Hot showers right before bed might help too. Continue to nap when you can - day or night...and be patient...it will get better.

Carri,
I had insomnia for a good couple weeks after my hyster. I took the tylenol PM as Dot suggested. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. The insomnia was really bad, and I have talked to several people that said it was normal..
Hang in there.. It will get better..
Take Care,,
Love, DOnna

Boy... do I remember post op insomnia. :hair:

Here are some of the things I tried with success!

*Bayer PM (because it doesn't use benadryl as the sleep agent... I tend to get the opposite reaction with benadryl then most folks)
*Cut out any caffeine from about 4pm on.
*Yep... I begrudgingly gave up my naps.
*Melatonin .3mg (OTC you can find at most health food stores or even Walmart)
*Even better: Melatonin with Valerian.
*Warm bath before bed, when you're able to take a bath.

I hope you find some relief.... It will subside though.
http://www.hystersisters.com/lisagraphics/toon13.gif

thanks for the support. You guys are great! I don't have anyone to talk to and I don't know what I would do without this great site.
thanks again

First of all, I want to tell you that I live in Las Vegas also. When you're up to it we should organize a gathering of "Sin City" Hyster Sisters. Anyway, I had my surgery in January and I too had the insomnia thing but not for a couple weeks later. I used the Excedrin PM and the melatonin but nothing really worked. I found that lavender oil on my pillowcase seemed to help. I actually began taking more naps. I figured I should get my sleep whenever possible. Try to take short walks outside each day. The fresh air and exercise may help you sleep. A warm glass of milk at bedtime can also do wonders. More than anything, don't stress over not sleeping. It will only make things worse. Relax and trust your body to go to sleep when it needs to.

Chris W.

Carri,

I forgot to mention in my reply that you can e-mail me direct anytime. I'm the one from Las Vegas. BMQ2@aol.com

Chris W.

I had a similar type response and finally figured out it was probably because my body was still processing out the anesthesia used during the surgery (I had a general). Luckily, it only lasted for a a week or so where I felt more tired when I got up after a night's rest looking at the clock and the ceiling...it does get better! RElax as best you can. Pamper and do soothing things for yourself during this time.
May even be part of some sort of hormonal response as well--assuming you didn't have the problem pre-op and may have had both ovaries removed it is possible it could be hormonal as insomnia is a menopausal problem. If you still have your ovaries, could just be they are really outta sorts because of all the manipulation done for the surgery and will take time to settle back to normal...Go easy on the Over-The-Counter sleep aids at this time. You are only recently post-op--give your body time to get rid of the anesthesia that may still be in your system.

Well thank the good Lord above. I am 8 days post-op (TAH) and don't think I've slept a total of 24 hours since the surgery. I am so very glad to have stumbled upon this site! I am going to rush right out and look for some Tylenol PM and some Melatonin! I, too, have tried giving up the pain meds and the naps..nothing has worked! So at this point I have opted to go ahead and take the naps, since its the only rest I seem to be getting. At least now I don't feel like I am alone with this problem. What a wonderful site!
Anna :-)