Is anyone taking a sleep aid at night post op?

[LynnMarie74]

Good afternoon. I was wondering who is taking a sleep aid like Lunesta or Ambein to help them sleep for one reason or another. Like my oither post in regards....Ambien is like taking candy...it does NOTHING. It doesnt make me sleepy or help me stay asleep...even the extended release tabs. I tried 2 of them last night and nothing. It amazes me & also frustrated the heck out of me as well. The only thing that works is when Im jolted out of bed from the pain, I have to take 2 hydrocondone & a valium & grab my ice pack and in about 20-30mins im out. I thought of trying this "combo" earlier but the meds only last 4-6 hours. Is anyone taking Lunesta or Ambein and is it effective? Or can anyone else share any secrets for a decent night sleep? Im headed back to work in 1 1/2 weeks and Im mortified that this little issue of mine will continue. Any advice or "medical concotions" would be appeciated! Thanks everyone!

[Jo 71-09]

I am still pre-surgery. I take valium to get to sleep. I can only take it for so many days in a row, then it stops working. So I skip a night or two and then start again. I am still working so I try to skip the valium on Friday and Saturday nights. I know I won't sleep whether I take it or not, so I skip. Then it works for a few nights. I'm wondering if all sleep medication works this way.

I hope you get this figured out before you go back to work. If you could get the night pains under control, work may be enough to knock you out at night anyway. What does your dr say about those night pains?

[LindaRacine]

Hi Lynn...

I've taken both, and they work about the same for me. However, when I'm over tired, it seems that nothing seems to work with the exception of time.

The drugs that you're taking may be interacting in a way that it actually keeping you awake. If you have access a pain specialist, that might be the best person with whom to discuss this issue. I can't imagine that you're going to go back to work in 1-1/2 weeks if you're still in a lot of pain. Do you have to go back?

Regards,
Linda

[Karen Ocker]

I've never taken a sleeping aid for pain. They don't work. What did help was excellent pain control. I agreed with Lind's suggestion to use a pain specialist. They have a way of fine- tuning what you need. Also, tapering off from Valium requires medical supervision if taken for a long time--to avoid seizures. This also applies to Xanax as well.

[emwonderfull]

Ambien

I've taken Ambien for years. What I have noticed is if I take it before I'm actually getting ready to lay down and go to sleep it will have the opposite effect. Then I just feel a little loopy, like I 've had a couple of glasses of wine and no way will I get to sleep. I've heard this from several people. So wait till you are actually sittting on the side of the bed. I usually read a couple of pages of my book then turn the light off. I have a hypnosis tape I turn on then I am out. Bad thing is I usually still wake up around 3-4, but I'm rested and ready for the day.

Good Luck!

[titaniumtough]

I have a lot of muscle spasms and sleep is bad one year post surgery. My PCP put me on Flexeril at night. It seems to help me sleep and relieves some of my muscle spasms. It is not a narcotic and is not addictive. Hope this helps! Totally understand what you're going through!!

[JenniferG]

Wish I could answer your question Lynn, but I can't. Just wanted to say, do you really need to return to work so soon? How many weeks are you from surgery? I think only three months?

I am amazed at how quickly patients in the US leave hospital and return to work. I am hoping to have at leaset 9 months before even thinking about work. You must be a tough breed.

Hoping you can get these pain/sleep issues sorted quickly, and get back on track to your previously smooth recovery. This may just be one of those hiccups that pass. Fingers crossed for you.

[LynnMarie74]

Hi Lynn...

I've taken both, and they work about the same for me. However, when I'm over tired, it seems that nothing seems to work with the exception of time.

The drugs that you're taking may be interacting in a way that it actually keeping you awake. If you have access a pain specialist, that might be the best person with whom to discuss this issue. I can't imagine that you're going to go back to work in 1-1/2 weeks if you're still in a lot of pain. Do you have to go back?

Regards,
Linda

Linda....yes...I will be 3 months post op then....during the day Im feeling good during the day....its just the nights...and it just started about 1 1/2 weeks ago! Im going back 4 hrs a day for the 1st week.....then back to the 8 hrs....as long as I can get some sleep, I think Im "ready"!

[loves to skate]

I've taken Ambien and most of the time it works for me. Taking it just as you get into bed is good advice. But with all medications, everyone is different. Tylenol PM works well for me and I only take 1/2 the normal dosage. Hope you find something that works for you. Sally

[LynnMarie74]

Wish I could answer your question Lynn, but I can't. Just wanted to say, do you really need to return to work so soon? How many weeks are you from surgery? I think only three months?

I am amazed at how quickly patients in the US leave hospital and return to work. I am hoping to have at leaset 9 months before even thinking about work. You must be a tough breed.

Hoping you can get these pain/sleep issues sorted quickly, and get back on track to your previously smooth recovery. This may just be one of those hiccups that pass. Fingers crossed for you.

Jennifer......Im so jealous of your 9 month "break" from work! Wow!!! My comp will only pay me full pay for 13 weeks & my job position is only held for my under FMLA (which is a Family Medical Leave Act) for 12 weeks. If I was going thru this last year, I wouldnt mind going past the 12 week point, but, with the way our ecomomy is and the working world, I dont want to put myself at "risk" for being let go or have my position or my salary compromised. Its a scary time, especially in the banking world! I just hope they go easy on me when Im back!

[debbei]

Lynn,

I've never taken a "sleep aid" but I had some muscle spasms in the left side of my back again starting Friday night. I took one of my muscle relaxants before bed so I wouldn't end up like I did last month. WELL....let me tell you: normally I'm woken up all night by my husband's horrible snoring. Not when I take those pills! I didn't wake up on Saturday morning until almost 9:00AM. LOL

[LynnMarie74]

possible blood clot causing pain...UGGGHH!!

Ugghhhh.....finally heard back from the docs office. Dr Tribus said that at almost 3 months out I "shouldnt be having this type of pain and at the severity level Im having it" and had me make an apt ASAP w/my PCP to do an ultrasound to check for a blood clot. Hmmm....kind of a scary thought as Ive been having this pain for about 10 days now...where was this idea umm....a week ago when I called about it? Grrrrr! Anyway, he said that it does not sound like sciatic issues given the fact that it doesnt move downward and moves outward toward my hip area and only bothers me when Ive been laying flat on my back for 4+ hrs. He says that if it was Sciatic, then I would most likely be experiencing the pain when I walk or put pressure down on that foot as well.(not typical sciatica I guess?) They want to rule this(clot) out 1st, then go from there. I was instructed to report back to Dr. Tribus's office right after & either way would be making an apt for me some time this week. WONDERFUL! I jinxed myself I guess!Anyone w/any blood clot issues?

Well, wish me luck tomorrow & I will let you know what the outcome is!

[JoAnn5]

Good luck tomorrow, Lynn! I've been reading and keeping up with you, but i don't have much to contribute that's helpful. I'll be thinking of you!

[LynnMarie74]

Thanks JoAnn!

[always smilin']

Lynn,
I sure hope that they can get to the bottom of this issue. It seemed like you were doing so well. My family has had an issue with blood clots but never any near the hip (always pulmonary - which is more scary). Get in as quick as you can - blood clots (if it is a blood clot) are nothing to deal with. If they don't find a blood clot tell them you HAVE to have something to help you sleep - muscle relaxant or something!
I'll be thinking of you!