Insomnia

Didn't hear about the insomnia until after surgery...I'm so tired, but I toss and turn for hours with not sleep.  What have you done to help with this issue?

I'm still pre-op but B6 and Melatonin 3mg taken about an hour before bed always helps me.  I also make sure to take a hot bath with a few drops of lavender oil in the water.  After my bath I drink a cup of chammoile, lavender and mint tea.  It's delicious and helps me relax.  When that doesn't work for a few nights I'm not ashamed to say I turn to Ambien, but it knocks me out and makes it hard to function the next day.  Generally mine only gets to that point when I'm on my period.

#1 Melatonin

When that doesn't work

#2 Valerian Root is good

#3 Tylenol PM (but I'm sort of anti-tylenol right now)..... and it gives me a "hangover effect"

#4 Benadryl (which is the sleepy ingredient in tylenol anyway)

#5 Ambien (I get a headache when I wake and always wake up four hours after taking it) 

#6 Ambien CR (gives me 4 1/2 hours sleep and still have aheadache when I wake)

#7 overwork....when I'm working TOO MUCH I sleep fine.

I always had insomnia but it's nearly non-stop now.... I overworked for four months last year, and I slept like a baby.

I forgot about Valerian Root.  It has a calming effect.  When I use it I make a tea out of it mixed with lavender and chammomile because I don't like the taste of it by itself.  It comes in very handy when I'm feeling really edgy or anxious.

I've had insomnia all  my life.  Mine was not caused by my surgery in any way.  I take meds for it.  Sometimes they work, sometimes not.

We had surgery on the same date--3/2.  I couldn't sleep for about 5-6 days after surgery due to a tickling cough I had that would start at night time.  The coughing kept me up and I was so tired and wanted to sleep so badly.  Once the coughing went away, I was able to sleep like a baby.  It is amazing really.  I don't feel like I toss and turn all night like I used to before I had surgery and I don't have reflux anymore like I did either.  So for me...sleeping has improved greatly.  I still am able to stay up later than I should but I atribute that to being out of work recovering.  I am sure when I start back to work on Thursday I'll be too pooped to pop on Thursday night and will hit the hay early.  But I have noticed that I can stay up later but I eventually do go to sleep and when I do---I sleep quite soundly.  I don't have any advice for insomnia other than trying to read a book.  That will put me out faster than you can say "sweet dreams"; but then again--I'm not a reader or book fan.  I hope your insomnia will quit soon and you'll be able to get all the sleep you need.  You might want to mention it to your doctor when you go back to see him/or her again.  Perhaps they can help.  Wish I could offer more advice but I have never really had insomnia for a lengthly period of time. 

Good Luck to you...fellow March 2nd RNY'er.

-d