Bad nights

[bani]

Since I am home (6th day), I do quite well during the days, but the nights are real bad. I don't find a comfortable position and move constantly from bed to recliner and back. Even worse: Although I take an anxiety medication (1/2 0.5 Clonazepan twice aday), I have this constant fear that I will stop breathing when I fall asleep. and that jerks me awake time and again.

Any suggestions? Thank you for all your support.

 

[Ross]

There is no easy answer. We all have had problems sleeping and some of us still do. Only suggestion I have for you is if it's possible, have someone give you a massage before bedtime and try to find some position that is at least semi comfortable. Your going to breath! You needn't worry about that. Klonopin or Clonazepam is pretty sleepy stuff in itself. If what your taking now doesn't seem to do much for you, talk to the Doc and see about increasing the dose some. Bad thing is, it may take you a while to be weened off of it.

 

[joanne6]

Sleeping at night

Sleeping at night

Good morning,
I can totally relate. I had very bad nights in the beginning. Even in the hospital I was up every 1-2 hours and walking in the hall by 5am. At home I slept in the recliner when I could sleep. I also went downstairs and watched TV, looked at the paper, etc. In other words, nights were bad and that is typical for post op heart patients.
I had a prescription for Ambien and I take 1/2 of the lowest adult dose whenever I need something. That little bit takes the edge off and I can usually sleep most of the night.During the first few weeks at home I did not take anything but the pain med.
Try not to nap too much during the day because that also interferes with sleep at night. It will get better as you get more comfortable.
Every day gets better than the day before. The nights will get better too-I promise.
Joanne

 

[Curtsmum]

I remember not being able to sleep after my sons surgery and i probably wont be able to again, its a very worring time. You need time to adjust, your'll soon be wondering what you were worring about. Hope things get better for you soon, take care Paula x

 

[msiwik]

Sleep

Sleep

Since I am home (6th day), I do quite well during the days, but the nights are real bad. I don't find a comfortable position and move constantly from bed to recliner and back. Even worse: Although I take an anxiety medication (1/2 0.5 Clonazepan twice aday), I have this constant fear that I will stop breathing when I fall asleep. and that jerks me awake time and again.

Any suggestions? Thank you for all your support.

Not sleeping through the night was my greatest difficulty after aortic valve replacement. I could fall asleep but would wake up 3 to 5 hours later and not be able to go back to sleep. But right around 4 months - I am now 5 months post-op, I started sleeping again. Most nights it's 6.5 hours; sometimes it is 7 or 8. What really helped me was finding out through this website that sleeping difficulties was normal. Give it time and keep us posted.

 

[Sagebrush]

I really like the tylonol pm......I helps you get a good night sleep and they you won't be so anxious about things....but it is very important right now for you to get a good night sleep at this stage in your recovery. I had problems with waking up and not being able to go back to sleep....wide awake...it was very frustrating and then being tired it made me very anxious about things.......but the tylonol pm has a sleep aid and when you wake up the next morning you feel really good and don't even have a hang over like some of the things that have sleep aids in them......I also don't think you have anything to worry about stop breathing...right now I would worry more about hurricanes. I hope this helps and best of luck !!! FAYE

 

[Christina L]

Welcome to the club!

Welcome to the club!

I am two years post surgery and now sleep like a baby but it took me several months if I remember right, to really get a good night's sleep after my surgery.
I can totally relate to the "stopping breathing" part of your fears. I was afraid I wouldn't wake up and I would have arrhythmias of my heart that scared the heck out of me.

I hate to admit it, but I took THREE sleeping aids - of course my pain medicine, a Benadryl, and my anti-anxiety med (Ativan), at that time to help me get to sleep and stay in a deep sleep.

I now take only a Benadryl every night. I feel that is more "safe" than Tylenol PM or Excedrin PM, even sleeping pills. I have never tried melatonin but that could be an option for you.

It will just take a while for you to get through this post-traumatic stress period. It happens to everyone. I also would sit up nights watching the Food Network, but it would relax me enough to help me sleep.

Be patient - recovery takes time. I know not sleeping is just the worst feeling. I would try Benadryl if it doesn't interfere with any of your meds - ask your doctor.

Good luck in getting back your zzzzz's.

Christina L

 

[Kate]

Not sleeping is the worst! My strategy is to lie on my back with my legs up on a pillow and listen to a book on tape on my walkman. The story helps distract me from focusing on trying to fall asleep (which always is sure to keep me awake!) and I'm usually out before the tape is over, at least for a few hours. Good luck - it will get better! Kate

 

[bani]

Thank you for all the good advice - it's just good to know that this is standard.

 

[joanne6]

Fyi

Fyi

Tylenol PM is Tylenol with Benadryl added. It will help you sleep but may dry your mouth. Also as has been said before, if you take a pain med with Tylenol in it you have to figure your total Tylenol dose for the day. Most people can take 4GM but some docs want their patients on only 2GMS a day(24 hours).
It is frustrating when you can't sleep and it seems the rest of the world is asleep but keep in mind-many of us post op can't sleep either.
Too bad we aren't all near each other or we could get together for a cup of decaf tea.
Take care and sleep well tonight.
Joanne

 

[JohnnyV_46]

If you can't sleep because of pain, take the good stuff.......You need your rest...I slept at nite and napped when I got tired during the day. I don't think you should be napping after 3pm tho....Take the Pain meds just at nite if thats when its the worst. I take Clorazepate.....Hmmmm.... Is this a pattern with us Heart patients? Anxiety? Take the Pain meds, if you were diabetic, you'd take insulin wouldn't you?

 

[rbl1999]

Hi, we can all relate to the no sleeping issue. I am 3 months post op and still having trouble, I still sleep only on my back and with 2-3 pillows. The first few weeks I slept mostly in the recliner and would just sleep when I could. It does get better, but I still only average about 6 hours sleep at night, once I wake up that is it, there is no going back to sleep!!!!! Be patinet, it will all get better... Rose

 

[bani]

Hi,

Last night I took my oxycodon pain meds plus over the counter sleeping pills - but the anxiety did override them all, so I ended up taking an anxiety pill in the middle of the night. Will this anxiety get any better?!!

Thanks so much for your support.

 

[Ross]

Hi,

Last night I took my oxycodon pain meds plus over the counter sleeping pills - but the anxiety did override them all, so I ended up taking an anxiety pill in the middle of the night. Will this anxiety get any better?!!

Thanks so much for your support.

Yes it will get better, but it's going to take time. Something must have happened that it has you so worked up. I can relate to that extremely well. I couldn't breath even being on the vent and they kept putting my bed all the way down making it even harder. I had a very hard time just dealing with getting into a bed again, much less sleeping. Try not to think about it and find something pleasant to replace those angry thoughts. I know it's not easy and it's not going to happen overnight, but hang in there, it will get better.

 

[Sagebrush]

Yes the anxiety will get better but it does take awhile...sorry.....have you tried walking? It is a proven fact that exercise increases the happy hormones in your body....I also read the other day about walnuts increases the seratonin. Hope this helps....it will get better...promise !!!

 

[bani]

Yes, I do walk, but I did not know about the walnuts, we'll get them.

Thank you for the support!

 

[Mary]

I was afraid to take my darvon at night due to a warning on the bottle that said it could interfere with one's ability to breathe. I remember the first night I had six hours of uninterrupted sleep; I felt like I was in Heaven!

The time will come when you'll be able to sleep again. I know that doesn't help right now, but at least you know there will eventually be an end to it.

 

[Cris N]

Bani,

It will get better!!! I went through the whole sleep problem as well as anxiety attacks - crept up on me before I even realized what was happening. I went to the ER when it happened. While everyone is different, that, too got better in time. The better I started to feel, the more I could do. The more I could do, the less time I had to be idle & think about all the horrible things that could go wrong. One day I realized I hadn't taken an anti-anxiety pill in several weeks. . I still carry them in my purse just in case though! Hang in there.

Cris

 

[KAJ]

bani,

I (along with many others on this site), had trouble sleeping after I arrived home. It took me at least 3 months before I could sleep at least 3 to 4 hours without waking up.

Karl

 

[bani]

It's really good to hear that it's not "just me". Do any of you have these days when you feel totally weak, have more pain, like going backwards in your healing process? I have one of those today, don't even feel like walking , and it scares me.