Question:
Having sleep issues after surgery...sleep apnea sufferer...

Wondering if anyone else is suffering a loss of sleep as a result of the weight loss. It seems I can't stay to sleep at night- waking at 3 or 4 for up to two hours feeling wide awake. I use a bi-pap machine and have already lowered the pressure on it. I have tried sleeping with it and without it and nothing seems to work. I was very sleepy before the surgery and never had a problem staying to sleep at night--my problem was staying awake during the day and that still continues. It's driving me a little nuts since I can't sleep at night and am still falling asleep (at work) during the day. Help?!    — conmonster (posted on August 23, 2010)

August 23, 2010
Yes, I have trouble staying asleep all night so have been taking Tylenol PM or Benadryl.
   — Janell C.

August 23, 2010
hi ! congrats on surgery. I had mine two years ago and yes I have trouble sleeping. I usually get 3-5 hours a night and i do not use a machine nor have I ever used one. I have so much energy and attribute mine to that. I walk 5-10 miles a day and eat up to 1500 calories a day. I have been maintaining (and losing very slowly lately) for well over a year.best of look to you all ...I do not take anything to aid in my sleep. Everything makes me too groggy feeling. Best of luck n God Bless! Hugs, Kim
   — gpcmist

August 24, 2010
You Need to have another Sleep Study done, where to go in and get all hooked up. Your body has changed. Let the doctors tell you what needed.
   — Michael Eak

August 24, 2010
YOur body has found some new energy and doens't know what to do with it since your weight loss. Maybe try to burn off some energy if you can at lunch time and then your body won't have so much at night to deal with. I believe we all go through this, the weight loss, protein, vitamins, we are getting healthier and our bodies haven't caught up yet. No, really, I think it is just the fact of weight loss and new found energy. If you seem to really be bothered with it, consult your doctor and see what he recommends for you to do. I take Tylenol PM and Ativan at night, but I also have Fibromyalgia, and that doesn't make sleeping easy. Best wishes to you. I remember 4.5 yrs ago when I had my RNY, I had lost 75 lbs and I was so disappointed, I thought I would be bouncing off the walls with energy during the day all the time, but it was night time that I was bouncing, and it turned out to be something else. Try Sleepy Time tea or a Chamomile tea before bed.
   — Kristy

August 26, 2010
I have suffered from lifelong insomnia and since weight gain was diagnosed with apnea. I have been on CPAP for about a year now. I have always felt that my insomnia was food related. I gave up all forms of caffeine long ago. I have been on Lunesta for a few years and most nights get at least 6 hours sleep. BUT...there are some nights that even with the Lunesta I lie awake all night long and don't sleep a wink. My sleep dr. tried to convince me that it was all in my head. One of the benefits of my surgery was that it narrowed down my food choices so significantly that I think I have finally nailed the culprit. During the liver reduction diet I had a few of those episodes when I took the Lunesta and still stayed wide awake. Post-op, it happened again a couple of times. With the food diaries and limited intake I've been able to narrow the scope. It seems as though every time I ingest something containing Red Dye #40 I have one of these impossible-to-sleep nights. That means jello, red juices or drinks, cherry or raspberry yogurt, even many Nectar protein powders that have a red or pink hue. I find that as long as I stay away from the color red (artificial) I sleep at night. A couple of days ago, I learned about the yogurt the hard way. I was low on my protein and had a cherry yogurt about an hour before bed. I laid there staring at my eyelids until 6:30am when I finally passed out for about a half hour. My advice is to start reading food labels and see if there is a common link with the foods you are consuming. It could be an artificial additive that is giving you grief.
   — moxiemommy