How important is sleep?

Aloha my friend.......I am just thankful for your input on this subject. You are one of the lucky ones and I am so glad for you. Don't take it for granted!! It's funny how we arrive at an age like 66 (me too) and forget how wonderful a full nights sleep can be.

Some people who don't share this problem would never post....I am so appreciative that you did!! If I could hug you.....I would do so happily!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

I'm like most, I don't have trouble falling asleep, but I have trouble staying asleep.  I think my biggest problem is that I am so stressed about so many projects that I wake up thinking about them and cannot go back to sleep.  I usually get about four or five hours a night.  I don't nap, so I just go until I get sleepy and then it's off to bed.  I have really bad allergies to just about everything, and so once or twice a month, I end up taking Atarax for itching and it puts me down for eight or more hours.  The problem is that I am groggy for a day or two afterwards. 

 

Aloha Jeannie......Me, too, on the waking and letting the worries take over my mind way too early in the a.m. Just this morning I woke at 2:10 (it's 4:50 a.m. now) and tossed and turned til I gave up and went and took a shower and made coffee. This is my day at the hospital testing the newborns. I am usually there by 6:00 so I can get them tested before the docs arrive to do rounds and circumcise this little boys. (some of them) It's always interesting to see how many babies were born yesterday on this little island. I've had anywhere from 3 to 13!! There has never been a day when not one baby was born! Interesting, eh?

Funny but when I take benedryl I don't even get sleepy where some people say it puts them out like Atarax does to you. Our body chemistry is so different. But, somehow I feel better knowing that I'm in good company with my nightly sleep troubles.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

I thought of you today while at the grocery store.  Kroger had a gallon of milk for $1.59.  just remember, you've got the weather and the views, I've got milk!
Jan

Great thread Karen.  I've noticed that most people begin having sleep issues about 1.5-2 years out from surgery.  I've often wondered if it might be because of the amount of B-12 we take.  My friends that have had the lapband don't seem to have sleep issues we have.  That's one thought...

Another thought...I never slept well before surgery and used a CPAP machine for nearly 3 years.  After I lost a respectable amt of weight I stopped using it and my sleep issues started.  When I was using the CPAP, I never woke up during the night.  There were times I almost wet my pants in the morning cuz I slept so soundly.  I am so tired now from not getting long periods of sleep that I actually tried using my machine again recently.  Unfortunately the settings are way too high for me and it gave me a terrific headache.  It almost makes me want to have another sleep study done to see if a lower setting would help.  I might of LOOKED dumb but I sure did sleep good, lol.

Things that work for me include Nyquil and Phenergan.  I have a bottle of liquid Phenergan left over from my plastics and if I take a sip before bedtime, I sleep great.

Aloha Stephanie........I, too, am amazed at how many of us don't sleep well much anymore. Very interesting about the CPAP and good sleep. I never used one of those, but can see why you'd be tempted to have another sleep test.

And the B-12. What would be the association there? Something like caffeine? I hadn't heard that connection before either.

All good points....thanks.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

B-12 peps you up like high doses of caffeine and since most of us take more than the average person would get through food, it makes me wonder.  No scientific research, just a thought.