Question:
I'm four months post op and experiencing trouble sleeping, anyone had this problem?
— scdiva31 (posted on February 2, 2008)
February 1, 2008
Yes. Ever since surgery I cannot sleep but 3-4 hours at a time at night.
I am up until 1:00-2:00 in the morning and then up by 4:00-5:00. I have no
idea why either??!!
— classite
February 1, 2008
I attend 3 support groups monthly, spoken to hundreds of RNY patients, and
not heard one complaint in this regard. I have taken sleeping pills for
over 10 years due to severe headaches that would keep me awake after 4
hours of sleep. I had surgery 19 months ago, and have not noted any
differences in sleep habits. EXCEPT, when I've had periods of extreme
stress over the past few months, when I've woken up at 3-4 AM. But I
usually get to be by 10-11 PM, so that still leaves me with 5-6 hours of
sleep. Even with sleeping pills, my "internal clock" won't allow
me to sleep more than 7 hours maximum. Guess it was getting up very early
in the AM to fight my way to work on the freeways for so many years. I
don't think RNY surgery has caused anything to alter sleep habits. If
you're not getting enough sleep, it will cause health issues in the future,
so you may want to ask your doctor about some type of sleep medication.
— Dave Chambers
February 2, 2008
Yes, but I also had this problem before surgery. I never got tired until
around 4 or 5 a.m. every single day no matter how little sleep I got. A
friend told me about Valerian Root. It's an all natural herb with no side
effects. It is actually a form of catnip, but has the opposite effect on
us humans. I did research on it and found that taking anything past 500
mgs makes no difference so I don't follow the regular dosage recommended on
the bottle of 3 capsules 3 times a day. I only take 2 capsules (535 mgs)
at about 6 pm each day and by midnight I am ready for bed and can go to
sleep with no problems. Most normal people can take it 1 hour before
bedtime and it works for them. I am not normal LOL. I have to take it 6
hours before bedtime and it took a full month for it to work on me, but now
it works and I am loving life! No more not being able to go to sleep until
about 4 a.m. and sleeping late in the a.m.! Sometimes I even go to sleep
about 11! If you are taking any kind of medicine still though, please check
with your pharmacist about any possible effects a natural herb can have on
your western medicine. Some herbs will render western medicine
in-effective such as birth control pills. I also no longer have to take it
every night for it to work. I take it like every 3 days. As with
everything, you shouldn't take it for long periods of time. I started
taking it at about 7 months out and am now pretty much on a regular sleep
pattern so I am weaning myself off it to see if I can continue the good
sleeping patterns. You might want to do your own research on this to get
your own opinion. The "few" warnings that are out there about
this root are for people who take this herb in excess. Taking 2 capsules
once a day doesn't even come close to "excess." And now at 2
capsules every 3 days is even less close. Good luck and God bless!
— crystalsno
February 2, 2008
I had the problem with sleep after I came off the pain medications, so my
regular doctor put me pn Lunesta. I take it 1/2 hour before bed and sleep
8 hours just fine. I wake up refreshed and ready to go. Not all drugs
work the same for everyone, but there are several brands out there that
your doctor can recomend. It is important to get a good nights sleep so
you are feeling good all day and do your excersize regularly.
— William (Bill) wmil
February 2, 2008
Your sleep issues might be from stress, you may not think it's stress, but
keep in mind you have now made some MAJOR changes in your life and
lifestyle. I have always suffered from sleep issues, so I did not notice
any changes after surgery, except more depression and stress. I take the
medication Trazadone, it works wonders for me and I believe my PCP
prescribed this because it's less habit forming. So you do have several
options available. There is also Melatonin for sleep as well. That can be
found in the vitamin/herbal section of most stores. Good Luck!
— Toni Todd
February 2, 2008
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM MY DR. TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL AFTER ALL THE STRESS
YOUR BODY WENT THROUGH HE GAVE ME A MONTH OF AMBIEN AND I SLEEP FINE NOW
WITH OUT IT.
— Theresa R.
February 3, 2008
I just completed the training sessions with Cathy Wilson to become a leader
for support groups. We just talked about the lack of amino acids and how
that can affect your ability to sleep. I wonder if it's on this site at
all. Perhaps you can take a look for the information before you start
taking sleeping pills???
— LisaCochrum1
February 3, 2008
I've been a total insomniac lately too! Sometimes I think it's just
because I have more energy now and am not anesthesizing myself with food.
Also, some of it is due to stress. I heard Melatonin supplements help, so
I'm going to try that. It's natural and your body produces it anyway. But
I also heard not to overdo it because it can have the opposite effect.
— Debra R.
February 4, 2008
Prior to surgery, I slept very well almost every night. I would have to get
up once during the night, usually between 2:00 and 4:00 to take a leak, but
then I would go immedietly back to sleep. Since RNY surgery in November, I
don't go back to sleep nearly as quickly or as deeply after the bathroom
break. I still sleep well from 10:00pm until the time I get up the first
time, but either don't get back to sleep at all or sleep fitfully after
returning. I'm wondering if it's calcium related. Drinking a bit of milk
used to help me go to sleep quicker.
— JFish
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