Question:
I am 7 days post op and having troubles getting to sleep

Check my profile I appear to be doing well, getting in liquids, exercising, and truly feeling great considering surgery was july 23rd. But each nite its getting harder to fall asleep. I am not napping during the day much either, I did today for 15 minutes and missed the end of a boring movie but other than that I just feel like go go go.. I truly am not tired. Just checked my blood sugar its 115 which is a bit low for me in comparison with my usual bad pre op numbers. Any good ideas for me? I am on no meds except amarlyl as needed for blood sugar and a low dose of blood pressure medicine. Havent started vitamins yet, thats supposed to be after my first post op visit. Darndest problem, I always hit the pillow and was instantly asleep. Its wierd, have major surgery and feel younger with more energy......    — bob-haller (posted on July 29, 2001)

July 29, 2001
I havent taken roxicet in three days, it was making me haluceniate things that werent there. I am on liquid tylenol over the counter, and not a lot of that, I am sore but not in pain. Laying in bed is comfy except that I cant turn on my side because of the drain. I will get some tylenol jel caps on the off chance its something about the liquid, Tylenol pills never bothered me. I have a amazing amount of energy and believe some of what I am feeling was the lifting of my pre op depression. Post op life is great, but I do need some rest
   — bob-haller

July 29, 2001
Bob - I am three weeks post-op. I was off of pain meds six days after surgery because as we found out, I was allergic to the codeine in them and felt worse taking them. I had the same problem falling asleep, so my surgeon prescribed a muscle relaxant to help me sleep. I am now sleeping 8-10 hours each night and waking feeling rested and ready to go. Good Luck!
   — gina P.

July 29, 2001
Bob, I had the same problem at about 8-10 days I called my Dr he told me to take liquid Benadryl and liquid Tylenol he said it is about the same at Tylenol p.m. I tried that and after about 1/2 hr I would literally fall asleep watching tv. It worked wonders I would be real leary about taking gelcaps this early at 2 months my Dr said I could start taking pills. Good Luck...
   — susan V.

July 29, 2001
I had that problem too. I have heard a couple of reasons why it is hard to sleep for a while. Some say that it is because the lack of pain meds. I heard if you are not weened off slowly it might cause insomnia for a while. It could also be because of the anisthesia. I started to walk. I wasn't able to walk very far but I pushed myself as far as I could, I would walk when it was cooler, and I was able to sleep a full 8 hours. Before I started to walk I was only sleeping for about 3 hours at a time. Even right after surgery. It helped me get my sleep schedule back to normal. Good luck.
   — Carla C.

July 30, 2001
I'm a bit over 3 months post-op and from about week 2 I started taking two Tylenol PMs so I could sleep. Even now, I have a bit of pain in my lower back and hips, something the Doc said would take time to go away. But the Tylenol is doc recommended and it helps me a great deal to get my beauty sleep!
   — Anna F.

July 30, 2001
Try Tylenol Simply Sleep. Works well for me and my husband. Then there is the old stand by of chamomile tea. Good luck.
   — Sharyle L.