Re: Post Myo Trouble Sleeping

[Guest guest]

At week two I am having insomnia issues and I wake up exhausted, but

nothing due to discomfort. ALthough, I didn't have staples. The

first week I was so exhausted that I would sleep in the weirdest

positons. In fact, I fell asleep while talking to a friend on the

phone. I used a TON of pillows though to prop me up and support my

back. I slept with a pillow under my knees because it helps take

pressure off the back.

Debbie

> Anyone have any suggestions? I miss my sleep and am exhausted.

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam-

It is challenging t0 sleep comfortably after abdom myo. It'll get

gradually more comfortable as you heal. In the meantime, three

suggestions:

For lying on your side: A very small pillow or cushion tucked under

your belly to hold it up.

On your back: Try a pillow under your knees. This is helpful for

lower back problems, too.

If your doctor OK's it: a heating pad (I love my heating pad!)\

Hope this helps. Also, try not to sit too much; it'll actally make

your back worse. Try to get some walking in each day.

Good luck!

-Mindy

> I just wanted to know if any one else experienced trouble sleeping

> after their abdomen myo surgery?

[Guest guest]

This will get easier with each passing week. It IS going to take

time to heal. I had two sofa cushions behind me when sitting on

the sofa watching TV, to get a nice upright cushioned position.

< now when I lay flat on my back I feel like I'm having

> trouble breathing.>

?? I got out of breath easily, but who knows? that could have

been low iron. Take a walk up and down your road each day if

you are up to it. Get some fresh air into the lungs.

I would try not moving around in bed, but to just get adequately

comfortable in one position and stick to it. The more you move

about, the more you're likely to feel an ache. Also I found getting

out of bed painful. I tried avoiding late night drinks and slowly

pushed/levered myself into a seated position in bed and

swivelled my legs around to stand up, taking it easy.

Don't rush things, over-do it or use your stomach muscles.

You've just had major surgery.

You can always cat nap in the day time. Things like constipation

and gassiness might aggravate a back ache. Drink plenty of

water.

Not sleepy?

Chatting about a subject that's really boring to you and really

interesting to someone else might help! (Golf?) Or get

engrossed in a favourite good fiction paperback or (not physically

heavy) worthy deathly dull text book?

Don' t drink caffeine

Try warm milk, or milky hot chocolate

Have the heating on a little too warm?

Lavender sleep cushion?

Rationalising away worries with other people and avoiding

sources of stress

Aztek

[Guest guest]

This will get easier with each passing week. It IS going to take

time to heal. I had two sofa cushions behind me when sitting on

the sofa watching TV, to get a nice upright cushioned position.

< now when I lay flat on my back I feel like I'm having

> trouble breathing.>

?? I got out of breath easily, but who knows? that could have

been low iron. Take a walk up and down your road each day if

you are up to it. Get some fresh air into the lungs.

I would try not moving around in bed, but to just get adequately

comfortable in one position and stick to it. The more you move

about, the more you're likely to feel an ache. Also I found getting

out of bed painful. I tried avoiding late night drinks and slowly

pushed/levered myself into a seated position in bed and

swivelled my legs around to stand up, taking it easy.

Don't rush things, over-do it or use your stomach muscles.

You've just had major surgery.

You can always cat nap in the day time. Things like constipation

and gassiness might aggravate a back ache. Drink plenty of

water.

Not sleepy?

Chatting about a subject that's really boring to you and really

interesting to someone else might help! (Golf?) Or get

engrossed in a favourite good fiction paperback or (not physically

heavy) worthy deathly dull text book?

Don' t drink caffeine

Try warm milk, or milky hot chocolate

Have the heating on a little too warm?

Lavender sleep cushion?

Rationalising away worries with other people and avoiding

sources of stress

Aztek

[Guest guest]

Hi,

If you still have a bandage, take it off for one (use alcohol). Sometimes 1

Tylenol PM & 1 regular Tylenol will help and not leave you groggy in the

morning.

A anti-gravity chair is nice. You get heat, message and it takes the pressure

off. Even a recliner might help.

Sometimes a hot bath or shower before bed works. Don't eat two hours before bed.

Just suggestions.

Ku

pjkay720 pjkay720@...> wrote:

I just wanted to know if any one else experienced trouble sleeping

after their abdomen myo surgery?

[Guest guest]

Oh Yeah! The small pillow worked great. I did that as well. I aslo

put a pillow between my legs and behind my back (so I wouldn't roll

over) when I slept on my side. I was in a hotel for four days after

my myo so I had the advantage of having lots of pillows. Housekeeping

thought I was nuts, but I created a pillow sanctuary on my bed.

Debbie

> For lying on your side: A very small pillow or cushion tucked under

> your belly to hold it up.

> On your back: Try a pillow under your knees. This is helpful for

> lower back problems, too.

[Guest guest]

Oh, I hear ya sister! While I have actually had some problems with

sleeping in the last few years, beginning the second night in the hospital

after my MYO (Feb. 2), it was *so* much worse! I think the particular

culprits were not being able to sleep on my stomach and not being able to

move around much because of the discomfort.

Some things that helped:

- I turned on my side, tucking a thin pillow under my belly (I didn't put a

pillow between my legs, as was suggested because I didn't have another, but

I think this would have given further relief);

- I went out for nightly " airings " beginning the second night I was home.

The best night of sleep I got was the first time I went out by myself: I

drove, then walked several blocks to get my hair cut, then went to a yarn

shop. I might have overdone it a bit, but I slept really well that night;

- Tylonol PM. I actually think this is a really bad idea for me since I

don't sleep well anyway, I'm afraid that I am overly dependent on it. But

since you *usually* sleep well, I would definately recommend it -- take one

about a half hour before going to bed, if you can't get to sleep take

another. You may have some nights when you know it's a two pill night, I

say take them without guilt! BTW, the PM part is available separately from

the Tylonol. I switched to this since I find Motrin more effective and I

didn't want to mix pain killers -- just be careful of how many mg. pills

you get, I made the mistake of getting the 50mg pills, which equal 2

Tylonol PMs. Obviously this option only works if you are ok with taking

pharmacuticals; I was sorely disappointed that the nurse at my gyno's

office wouldn't prescribe Ambien.

The other really great night of sleep I had was after drinking two really

strong Margharitas. Unfortunately, having little tolerance for such

things, I paid for it the next day.

Sedaris has a piece in " Me Talk Pretty One Day " about his

sleeplessness. He refuses to give in and makes up some really elaborate

(hilarious) fantasies to keep himself entertained. It's very funny and

rings way too true for me. However, do not, under any circumstances, go

near this book for another 3 weeks. Laughter may be great medicine for

many things, abdominal surgery is not one of them.

Hang in there, you will sleep again!

--Lee

> Message: 13

> Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2004 09:15:12 -0000

>

> Subject: Post Myo Trouble Sleeping

> I just wanted to know if any one else experienced trouble sleeping

> after their abdomen myo surgery?