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Is anyone taking a sleep aid at night post op?

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  • Is anyone taking a sleep aid at night post op?

    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!
    Lynn -30.... something
    DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
    At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
    At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
    Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
    UW Madison, WI Hospital
    **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

  • #2
    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?
    -Jo

    Diagnosed at age 12
    Milwalkee Brace worn Faithfully 1971-1977
    Posterior Fusion T-9 to Pelvis- April 28, 2009
    Dr Frank Rand, NEBH, Boston

    Comment


    • #3
      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
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

      Comment


      • #4
        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.
        Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
        Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

        Comment


        • #5
          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!
          ~Em

          Diagnosed at 13, Milw brace-didn't wear it like I should have.
          pre-surg 78* Thoracic,
          post-surg 22* Thoracic.
          Fusion from T2 to L2 scheduled for April 15, 09 in Tulsa, OK

          Comment


          • #6
            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!!
            Diagnosed in '06'
            Wore TLSO brace for 18 mo.
            Upper curve 40 degrees; lower 35 degrees
            Surgery in March '08' (T6 - T11)
            Rods for 7 vertabraes; 3 fused
            Still have lumbar curve (T12 - L4) of now, 33 degrees
            I have osteoarthritis, 3 bulging discs, stenosis, fast progressing lordosis, vertebrea twisting (vertebreas almost on side) all in lumbar spine. Will most likely have another surgery to extend rods and fusion. :'(

            Comment


            • #7
              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.
              Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
              Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
              T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
              Osteotomies and Laminectomies
              Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
                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"!
                Lynn -30.... something
                DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
                At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
                At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
                Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
                UW Madison, WI Hospital
                **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

                Comment


                • #9
                  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
                  Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
                  Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
                  Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
                  Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
                  New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
                  Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

                  "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by JenniferG View Post
                    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!
                    Lynn -30.... something
                    DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
                    At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
                    At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
                    Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
                    UW Madison, WI Hospital
                    **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      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
                      __________________________________________
                      Debbe - 50 yrs old

                      Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                      Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                      Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                      Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                      Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                      Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                      Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        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!
                        Lynn -30.... something
                        DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
                        At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
                        At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
                        Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
                        UW Madison, WI Hospital
                        **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          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!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Thanks JoAnn!
                            Lynn -30.... something
                            DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
                            At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
                            At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
                            Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
                            UW Madison, WI Hospital
                            **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              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!

                              Always Smilin'
                              Colleen

                              1982 fused T2-L1
                              pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
                              pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

                              recheck 2006
                              right thoracic 57
                              lower lumbar 34

                              surgical revision April 28,2009
                              revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
                              unsure of degrees at this point

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