Question:
How many post ops are dealing with insomnia 2+ years after surgery?

My sleeping patterns changed the first year after my RNY. I am now 8 years post op. I have lost and kept off 130 lbs. Insomnia and constant bypass related medical issues are kicking my behind. Thankfully, I'm able to have regular post op tests with access to very good medical care. But I am struggling here. What about those of us who may not have the care they need?    — Tamazon03 (posted on June 20, 2011)

June 20, 2011
I still suffer from the insomnia. I had RNY 2 June 2009, down and maintaining 113 off. I began using 1mg Melatonin and it has helped ALOT. It does not leave me hung over either....not sure if you have tried it but it might be worth a try.
   — karensaporito

June 21, 2011
I don't sleep many hours but I do sleep..just naturally wake up early...all the time between 4 and 5 AM..go to bed between 10 and 11 PM..but I feel GREAT, one year out and have tons of energy.
   — tfqh99

June 21, 2011
Interesting question. I am having quite a bit of trouble with insomnia...have been taking a medication to help me sleep but it screws with me...I get up and eat in the middle of the night and don't remember it...my boyfriend tells me! What do you think the link might be between insomnia and RNY?
   — TammaiTX

June 21, 2011
i had rny on june 19th of 2008 and still suffer...i sleep anywhere from 3-6 hours a night and have maintained a loss of 122 lbs since the 10 month mark. I ran a support group and still attend another and several people have commented on it...i walk atleast 5 miles a day..last year was doing 14 on 3 hours sleep a day...its beent he only draw back so far. i'd still rather weigh 115 than 238 tho. =)
   — gpcmist

June 21, 2011
Hi, its interesting to hear this, only because I suffered from insomnia before I had my surgery (January 25, 2011 and have lost a total of 131 lbs.)if I slept a full two hours a night was a lot and I had tried an array of different medications to help me sleep with no luck...after the surgery I have to say that I now sleep a full 6 to 8 hours a night and it feels wonderful...
   — Jovanna P.

June 22, 2011
Like many of you, I have tried everything from natural remedies to Ambien and Lunesta. Melatonin, valerian root, chamomile tea, tylenol PM, a really bad habit of drinking wine at night too. Ambien gives me the sort of nocturnal eating, moving around the house and cooking. Ambien is the only thing that helps me get to sleep. Two hour later I'm up again for a few more hours In talking to several doctors, they tell me they here this quite often. Our pre surgery stomach supplied many natural hormones for a healthy brain. Endorphins , melatonin , to name just a very few. Long term loss of just these few hormones can cause long term sleep deprivation. This leads to so many long term health issues to come. I am now at the critical state of major sleep loss. I've spoken to three specialists who are aware there is a problem here. They have told me they would rally us to get some type of studies going but they need our info to help get things started. I'm going to see a sleep specialist next to talk to him about this. Also, to set up a sleep study for myself to see what things look like for me. So many people I speak with tell me they have odd stuff happening since their WLS. Examples being a constant runny nose, swollen and tender salivitory glands, just to name a few. How many more things are going to pop up on us? I can deal with the long term stuff, if I can better understand them. We are told a lot hormones that used to come from our stomachs will no longer be there. The lack of sleep, long term, is not a good thing for our own well being. It also makes it more difficult on our loved ones. They have to pick our slack if we are too tired to do anything, and the health issues just keep coming. I appreciate all of you who have responded to my question. I hope you'll all continue to step out and tell us your story. Thank You!
   — Tamazon03

July 2, 2011
I had sleep apnea before surgery and for the first 3 months I was sleeping 6-8 hours but now 4 months out not sleeping very well. I am tired at end of day back can't seem to fall asleep. Take Tylenol pm sometimes and get 4 hours then wide awake again. I think I am going to start using Cpap machine again.
   — R. Brown

July 8, 2011
I went to my regular doctor with the problem you are having. As someone who has been on medication for hypothyroidism for many years, I was pleased and surprised that my problem was evidently caused by too much thyroid medication. My dosage was adjusted and now I get about 7 hours of good sleep per night. I also have sleep apnea but that does not seem to affect the amount of sleep I get, even with cpap and oxygen at night.
   — bettywink-chipper

July 21, 2011
My insomnia saga continues ... I got my results to a sleep lab study I did this month. I am the first person they have seen who didn't sleep a wink the entire night. It was/is frustrating beyond belief. I wore an ActiWatch for several weeks. That showed my brain isn't shutting down even when I'm lucky enough to get one or two hours sleep. The only thing that helps me fall to sleep is Ambien but that's usually in one 1/2 hour intervals. Then I'm up a few more hours, until the cycle begins again. I am so discouraged by all this. Different docs want to put the blame on us for whatever we are not doing correctly. I promise you all, I have jumped through each hoop they sent my way. But I want to know what we cut out of our stomachs that may have been hormones, endorphines, ect. That helps our minds fall into sleep patterns that we need. I'm hearing more and more from people having the exact same problems. Doctors, please hear us ... Please help us find out what's happening here! Is there a study that can be done to help us figure this problem out? I think it's time! How about you?
   — Tamazon03

July 21, 2011
My insomnia saga continues ... I got my results to a sleep lab study I did this month. I am the first person they have seen who didn't sleep a wink the entire night. It was/is frustrating beyond belief. I wore an ActiWatch for several weeks. That showed my brain isn't shutting down even when I'm lucky enough to get one or two hours sleep. The only thing that helps me fall to sleep is Ambien but that's usually in one 1/2 hour intervals. Then I'm up a few more hours, until the cycle begins again. I am so discouraged by all this. Different docs want to put the blame on us for whatever we are not doing correctly. I promise you all, I have jumped through each hoop they sent my way. But I want to know what we cut out of our stomachs that may have been hormones, endorphines, ect. That helps our minds fall into sleep patterns that we need. I'm hearing more and more from people having the exact same problems. Doctors, please hear us ... Please help us find out what's happening here! Is there a study that can be done to help us figure this problem out? I think it's time! How about you?
   — Tamazon03

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