argh! insomnia
I did have a sleep study years ago. It found I wake up 11.5 times per hour. But I did not have sleep apnea and got enough oxygen so the doc that did the sleep study seemed unconcerned.
No wonder I'm tired all the time, huh?
No wonder I'm tired all the time, huh?
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
tamaramagram
on 1/3/12 8:46 pm, edited 1/3/12 8:55 pm
on 1/3/12 8:46 pm, edited 1/3/12 8:55 pm
OK,... Hello all! Long time lurker, first time poster! I feel inspired to try and help those with sleep issues. I know the misery and frustration of being sleep deprived. There is more help available than you would guess but it takes your willing co-operation and perseverance.
I highly encourage anyone with unresolved sleep issues to see a sleep specialist. A board certified Sleep Specialist.... (a sleep Dr.) Like any specialty, their insight and expertise in the field is unparalleled by normal General Practitioners. Just like most GPs are inadequately educated in nutrition and WLS, they are grossly undereducated in sleep. (The science of sleep is a fairly new one and education about it is coming about slowly.) I have been amazed at the false statements, misconceptions and lack of knowledge I have experienced from GPs concerning my own sleep issues. I learned the hard way the value of an expert. (and I work in sleep!)
I am a fellow sufferer and also work in the field of sleep. I have sleep apnea and chronic insomnia. I rely Ambien to help me sleep days so I can work 12-13 hour night shifts. I also use CPAP religiously. I guard my sleep life judiciously and highly value my sleep health.
The average person needs 7-9 hours nightly of uninterrupted sleep to be 'sleep healthy'. You can function on less, but something will suffer, whether you are aware or not.
Ambien generally wears off after 4 hours, Ambien has a second time-release dose built in to help keep you asleep after 4 hours. There is a newly approved mini-dose meant for those who wake half -way through their sleep cycle. Ambien is a tool and just like WLS, you have to follow the rules. ONLY take your Ambien AFTER getting into bed and being ready to go to sleep. No last minute tasks, no computer, no phone, no ANYTHING... just sleep. It takes effect fairly quickly and trying to accomplish ANYTHING generally leads to complications and regret at the vary least. Like any medication, it's not for everyone, but is quite effective for most when TAKEN AS DIRECTED. I don't mean to sound 'preachy', but as humans (myself included) we somehow think we are different from everyone else and can bend the rules. Some times we get away with it, but Ambien or any sleep aide is not one to fool around with.
I hope this helps some of you! Go see sleep a sleep professional, not an amateur! (No disrespect intended, but .... it is terribly frustrating to be ignored, poo-pooed, dismissed or under treated for something so serious as sleep deprivation!!!. Get educated and take charge of your sleep health, just like you have your WLS!
Good luck to all and sweet dreams!
I highly encourage anyone with unresolved sleep issues to see a sleep specialist. A board certified Sleep Specialist.... (a sleep Dr.) Like any specialty, their insight and expertise in the field is unparalleled by normal General Practitioners. Just like most GPs are inadequately educated in nutrition and WLS, they are grossly undereducated in sleep. (The science of sleep is a fairly new one and education about it is coming about slowly.) I have been amazed at the false statements, misconceptions and lack of knowledge I have experienced from GPs concerning my own sleep issues. I learned the hard way the value of an expert. (and I work in sleep!)
I am a fellow sufferer and also work in the field of sleep. I have sleep apnea and chronic insomnia. I rely Ambien to help me sleep days so I can work 12-13 hour night shifts. I also use CPAP religiously. I guard my sleep life judiciously and highly value my sleep health.
The average person needs 7-9 hours nightly of uninterrupted sleep to be 'sleep healthy'. You can function on less, but something will suffer, whether you are aware or not.
Ambien generally wears off after 4 hours, Ambien has a second time-release dose built in to help keep you asleep after 4 hours. There is a newly approved mini-dose meant for those who wake half -way through their sleep cycle. Ambien is a tool and just like WLS, you have to follow the rules. ONLY take your Ambien AFTER getting into bed and being ready to go to sleep. No last minute tasks, no computer, no phone, no ANYTHING... just sleep. It takes effect fairly quickly and trying to accomplish ANYTHING generally leads to complications and regret at the vary least. Like any medication, it's not for everyone, but is quite effective for most when TAKEN AS DIRECTED. I don't mean to sound 'preachy', but as humans (myself included) we somehow think we are different from everyone else and can bend the rules. Some times we get away with it, but Ambien or any sleep aide is not one to fool around with.
I hope this helps some of you! Go see sleep a sleep professional, not an amateur! (No disrespect intended, but .... it is terribly frustrating to be ignored, poo-pooed, dismissed or under treated for something so serious as sleep deprivation!!!. Get educated and take charge of your sleep health, just like you have your WLS!
Good luck to all and sweet dreams!
tamaramagram
on 1/3/12 9:48 pm
on 1/3/12 9:48 pm
An added thought...
Please don't use alcohol to address sleep issues. Although it can help you fall asleep, it disrupts your sleep mid-cycle and only complicates things. Most sleep aides with active ingredient diphenhydromine are mostly only effective for two weeks if used daily. If used only occasionally, they can be effective for minor insomnia. The active ingredient is the same thing as Benedryl, usually with an added pain medication. i.e. (Tylenol PM, Advil PM, etc) Save yourself money and buy generic benedryl. Melatonin is controversial as to whether it is effective and not recommended for more than 1 mg. Valerian root has been helpful personally, but is also controversial and you should clear with MD. I've tried many solutions and have been most satisfied personally and see the best results in what I observe professionally by seeing and listening to a sleep specialist. That includes insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep hygiene, sleep aides or any facet of sleep management.
Please don't use alcohol to address sleep issues. Although it can help you fall asleep, it disrupts your sleep mid-cycle and only complicates things. Most sleep aides with active ingredient diphenhydromine are mostly only effective for two weeks if used daily. If used only occasionally, they can be effective for minor insomnia. The active ingredient is the same thing as Benedryl, usually with an added pain medication. i.e. (Tylenol PM, Advil PM, etc) Save yourself money and buy generic benedryl. Melatonin is controversial as to whether it is effective and not recommended for more than 1 mg. Valerian root has been helpful personally, but is also controversial and you should clear with MD. I've tried many solutions and have been most satisfied personally and see the best results in what I observe professionally by seeing and listening to a sleep specialist. That includes insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep hygiene, sleep aides or any facet of sleep management.
I went and saw a sleep doctor cause I was in the same bought as some of you. I would sleep for a couple of hours and then be awake for several hours. I was going nuts from lack of sleep.
The doctor started me on Lunesta. The Lunesta is meant for people who can't stay asleep at night. It is expensive, but the Lunesta company has a program that covers the entire cost of the medication for 12 fills per year. I still don't take it every night, cause I don't want to get used to it, but I take it 2-3 times per week and average 8 hours of sleep on those nights.
The doctor started me on Lunesta. The Lunesta is meant for people who can't stay asleep at night. It is expensive, but the Lunesta company has a program that covers the entire cost of the medication for 12 fills per year. I still don't take it every night, cause I don't want to get used to it, but I take it 2-3 times per week and average 8 hours of sleep on those nights.
Original weight 285. Lowest weight 210. Revision weight 249. Size 24W
Current weight 210 as of February 23, 2012!!!
Current size 16-18 as of February 25, 2012!!!
Current weight 210 as of February 23, 2012!!!
Current size 16-18 as of February 25, 2012!!!
Most Active
Recent Topics