Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep - it doesn't happen often, but when it does, I wonder if it's OK to take a sleeping pill. I have not taken any sleeping pills since the surgery. Gabapentin makes me sleepy and even though I don't really need it for nerve pain anymore, I take it sometimes as a sleeping aid. Do you know if it's OK to take OTC sleeping pills or not? Also, when is it safe to take Advil? I am five months out.
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Originally posted by Irina View PostSometimes I have trouble falling asleep - it doesn't happen often, but when it does, I wonder if it's OK to take a sleeping pill. I have not taken any sleeping pills since the surgery. Gabapentin makes me sleepy and even though I don't really need it for nerve pain anymore, I take it sometimes as a sleeping aid. Do you know if it's OK to take OTC sleeping pills or not? Also, when is it safe to take Advil? I am five months out.
Good luck! It's hard having restless nights.
TamenaDiagnosed at age 12 with a double major curve
Braced till age 15
SSBOB T12-L2 Anterior age 34. (October 22,2012) Dr. Robert Gaines Jr. ( Columbia, MO)
Revision Surgery T2-Sacrum with Pelvic Fixation Prosterior age 35 (November 13,2013) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)
Revision Surgery L4/L5 due to BMP Complication age 36 (November 20,2014) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, Mo)
Revision Surgery due to broken rod scheduled for October 19, 2016 with Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)
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I don't know about sleeping pills, but Dr. Lenke recommends 6 months for Advil.age 48
80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.
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Benedryl (diphenhydramine) is a good sleeping aid and also dries your sinuses if you have allergies. On the evenings that you cannot fall asleep, look at your caffeine intake after noon. That keeps me up guaranteed. Prescription sleeping pills are OK, but do not take more than 2 day or so in a row as they become less effective and can become addictive. Try OTC Benedryl and see how it works.
SusanAdult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod
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I agree with all the above. I have used Ambien, melatonin, and Benadryl at different times for sleep. Ambien is very hard to get off. I have used it for a few years because of PTSD and have had a hard time sleeping without it so I highly suggest not going that route unless absolutely necessary.
Best wishes. I know how bad the back can feel without a good nights sleep.....*Jen
Fusion surgery with Dr. Chang May 7, 2013
Pre-T:50 L:48
Post-T:20 L:0
Degenerative disk disease through spine and neck with bulging disks as well. Spinal cord deformity in the area of C5-6.
{On the road to a lifetime of forever with a back not holding me down!! Vacations, playtime with the kids, adult excursions! Life is moving forward not holding me back }
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Have you tried melatonin, it's an all natural supplement.44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA
Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height
Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!
http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/
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Doreen, thanks for bringing that up. Melatonin is good for helping to fall asleep and for those folks that additionally cannot stay asleep, try Valerian additionally. I used to lecture at a health foods store w/ a naturopath and those were her recommendations.
SusanAdult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod
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Originally posted by susancook View PostDoreen, thanks for bringing that up. Melatonin is good for helping to fall asleep and for those folks that additionally cannot stay asleep, try Valerian additionally. I used to lecture at a health foods store w/ a naturopath and those were her recommendations.
Susan
TamenaDiagnosed at age 12 with a double major curve
Braced till age 15
SSBOB T12-L2 Anterior age 34. (October 22,2012) Dr. Robert Gaines Jr. ( Columbia, MO)
Revision Surgery T2-Sacrum with Pelvic Fixation Prosterior age 35 (November 13,2013) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)
Revision Surgery L4/L5 due to BMP Complication age 36 (November 20,2014) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, Mo)
Revision Surgery due to broken rod scheduled for October 19, 2016 with Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)
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