Post Op Insomnia

[MIZ60 1,291]

Has anyone experienced unexplained insomnia after surgery? I am 2 1/2 months out and for the last 3-4 weeks I am only getting about 4-5 hours of sleep per night. I go to bed at the normal time and read for a few minutes until I feel sleepy but once I turn off the light I completely wake up and lay there for several hours. I sometimes get up and sit on the couch but it does not help. I still get up at 0615 so we can walk before it is too hot and do not nap during the day. Take the same magnesium supplement at bedtime that I have used for several years, no other meds except my Vitamins, omeprazole and Calcium, none of which I take near bedtime.

Saw my Dr. on Monday for another issue---he gave me some trazodone to try which is a BIG no, made me dizzy and caused shooting pains in my feet/legs. Not taking them again. If anyone has experienced this and found help (I really hate the effects of most drugs but willing to try anything at this point) please let me know what works for you. Thanks in advance!!

[KimTriesRNY 1,853]

Me. I had this. I don’t know why.

I still have trouble sleeping when I need to sleep, and then I get sleepy when I need to be awake.

I attributed it to my night shift work but it seemed to be more.

Have you tried Melatonin? Some people find that effective if you do not like prescription sleeping pills.

[Matt Z 4,140]

Not specifically surgery related, but I have insomnia and sleep apnea... a major 1 / 2 punch. I've tried every single sleep aid on the market, both RX and OTC. I've found that Marinol works very well for inducing sleep. My nightly meds are one 10mg Melatonin quick dissolve, 1 10mg Marinol and 1 OTC "sleep aid" (Diphenhydramine) and that combo works quite well at getting me to sleep. Hopefully that helps you some!

[EsoKev 94]

Total insomniac here. Seems to have worsened a bit since my surgery. I take Melatonin to help with it, but I may have to increase the strength a bit. You're not alone!

[browneyez42 280]

I suffer from insomnia also. I've tried every OTC medication known to man. My doctor recently prescribed restoril and after one night, I woke up with difficulty breathing (which is a known side affect). Back to square one.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

4 hours ago, browneyez42 said:

I suffer from insomnia also. I've tried every OTC medication known to man. My doctor recently prescribed restoril and after one night, I woke up with difficulty breathing (which is a known side affect). Back to square one.

have you read about CBD oil?

[RichMack 35]

I am going through this exact same thing. I wake every darn night at 3-4 a.m. since about 1 month post op, maybe 1.5 months. this has now been going on for 2.5 months give or take.

[Laura7 334]

I take melatonin as well on occasion. No side effects for me. I’ve taken prescription ambien in the past which I hated. I don’t remember I think it gave me headaches. But there are a lot of prescriptions out there and if you’re willing to work with your doctor to try a few just keep trying a few.

[ShimmyShade 93]

I've been experiencing this, but mainly I wake up just feeling nausea. Usually it's because I'm aching though. I suddenly feel like my bed is super hard.