Sleeping Problems

[suzilouise 13]

I had my op on Tuesday and slept for most of the day afterwards, but it seems I now can't sleep more than 4 hours at a time.

In bed I am lying on my back propped up with 4 pillows as I can't sleep any flatter. I was awake at 5.30am this morning after a restless night, but doze off in my armchair for an hour every so often.

Do you think it's ok to take something in liquid form to help me sleep?

[missjenny 43]

I take vicodin in liquid. That helps me sleep but it is used more for pain. I take ambien to sleep but in pill form. I don't know how far out u are and if you can take pills yet? You might want to check with your dr.

[suzilouise 13]

I am 3 days post op. I thought I would be sleeping for hours, not struggling to sleep. There is a medicine in the UK called Nightnurse which I think is meant for colds but is known for making you drowsy. I have a pharmacy close by I think I will go in for a chat with them today and see what they recommend.

[missjenny 43]

I hope you can fall asleep soon. I know my first few weeks home I was so exhausted I could barley stay awake during the day. It's a good idea that you talk to your pharmacist tomorrow alot of medicines can be really hard on the stomach.

[Webchickadee 716]

I have been having problems sleeping more than 3-4 hours since surgery (6+ weeks ago). It's 4:30 am right now and I went to bed at midnight. And here I am awake and on the forum! It is maddening and I've tried a variety of sleep aids without success.

Even taking a prescription sleeping pill hasn't helped. I don't have trouble falling asleep, which is what most sleeping pills help with. It's staying asleep that is not working! After taking a sleeping pill or some other sleeping aid (melatonin, magnesium citrate (restless legs), etc.) I still wake up after approx. 4 hours and I'm groggy and tired, but unable to fall back asleep usually for 2+ hours.

I work full time and this is "kicking my ass"!

[suzilouise 13]

That's my problem too, staying asleep. Hopefully this will change when my incisions heal and I can resume my normal sleeping position on my front.

I saw the pharmacist this morning and he has given me some liquid sleeping aid. Fingers crossed I can get some decent sleep tonight. I don't want to doze during the day, especially when Wimbledon is on :-)

[Lissa 2,631]

I dont consider this a problem, but I've noticed that I need significantly less sleep now than I did pre-op. I'm not sure if it's surgery-related since I started using a BiPap machine two weeks before surgery. I can go for days on 4 hours or less sleep at night and my energy level is still super high.

My theory is that it's a combination of less weight, more exercise and the BiPap machine. No matter what, I'll take it!

[Lissa 2,631]

BTW, Suzi, your doc didn't give you liquid pain meds? Those will definitely make you sleep.< /p>

[I_Sd8_em 28]

Why are you sleeping on 4 pillows? Pain, reflux, sleep apnea?

[suzilouise 13]

I got given dissolvable paracetemol and tablet form of codeine (tiny tablets) as my pain meds. They don't make me sleepy.

I sleep with 4 pillows as I can't lie any flatter due to the pain.

I am dozing during the day, but I just can't sleep for too many hours at night. I would normally sleep 7-8 hours and instead I am lucky to get 4 and that sleep is a broken sleep.