Hey, Everyone. I am 4-weeks post-op and actually feeling pretty good. My pain level seems to be manageable right now. I have quit taking all my Valium and Flexeril. I'm still taking Dilaudid 2 mg every 5 or 6 hours.
I took my last Valium last Thursday night. (I'm writing this on Monday afternoon). Right away on Friday night, I noticed I was having trouble falling asleep. It seemed to get a little worse each day. I was like wide awake until midnight or 2. Last night, I never did go to sleep! I was wired all night. I finally drifted to sleep for about an hour from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. this morning.
Needless to same, I'm a wreck today. I did my morning walk and a few things around the house. But, I was shaking (from tiredness) so I laid down, but couldn't fall asleep. At least rest is good.
My question is: has anyone experienced insomnia with Dilaudid? That's what I think is doing it. Also, my mind was racing with all kinds of weird thoughts. I talked to the nurse today and she said no, that narcotics typically have the drowsy affect. She said that sleep patterns get all messed up with surgery. I get that, but this was more than a sleep pattern issue. It was staring at the ceiling ALL NIGHT.
I also don't know anything about how to wean myself off these drugs. I did the Flexeril and Valium sort of slowly, a little less every 2 days. But, my dose was less on those so it was easier.
I want to try to quit the Dilaudid and deal with the pain, but that scares me. I know I can't/shouldn't quit cold Turkey. I'm wondering if I've done a good job of cutting down on the meds, or did I do something wrong?
My plan for today/tonight is to just keep taking the Dilaudid as I have been but to also take (1) Valium at bedtime.
Any advice? When I'm this tired, my anxiety levels rise and it scares me. With every little pain I have I keep thinking that I've done something wrong and I've hurt myself. It's probably not true, but that's what my brain thinks!!
Thanks for listening. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kathy
I took my last Valium last Thursday night. (I'm writing this on Monday afternoon). Right away on Friday night, I noticed I was having trouble falling asleep. It seemed to get a little worse each day. I was like wide awake until midnight or 2. Last night, I never did go to sleep! I was wired all night. I finally drifted to sleep for about an hour from 6:30 - 7:30 a.m. this morning.
Needless to same, I'm a wreck today. I did my morning walk and a few things around the house. But, I was shaking (from tiredness) so I laid down, but couldn't fall asleep. At least rest is good.
My question is: has anyone experienced insomnia with Dilaudid? That's what I think is doing it. Also, my mind was racing with all kinds of weird thoughts. I talked to the nurse today and she said no, that narcotics typically have the drowsy affect. She said that sleep patterns get all messed up with surgery. I get that, but this was more than a sleep pattern issue. It was staring at the ceiling ALL NIGHT.
I also don't know anything about how to wean myself off these drugs. I did the Flexeril and Valium sort of slowly, a little less every 2 days. But, my dose was less on those so it was easier.
I want to try to quit the Dilaudid and deal with the pain, but that scares me. I know I can't/shouldn't quit cold Turkey. I'm wondering if I've done a good job of cutting down on the meds, or did I do something wrong?
My plan for today/tonight is to just keep taking the Dilaudid as I have been but to also take (1) Valium at bedtime.
Any advice? When I'm this tired, my anxiety levels rise and it scares me. With every little pain I have I keep thinking that I've done something wrong and I've hurt myself. It's probably not true, but that's what my brain thinks!!
Thanks for listening. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Kathy
Comment