Sleeping

[rbl1999]

Hi, I haven't posted in a while, just have a question. I am 6 months AVR post op, am doing very well, but am still not sleeping good. I have tried Ambien with no good results. Valium seems to work but I hate to keep taking that every night. Has anyone else had this problem as long???? My doctor says it is normal, but just wanted to see what you all think... Thanks Rose

[OldManEmu]

The only time I couldn't sleep post AVR was when I was in hospital the noise and strange bed made sleeping difficult. Once I got home I never had any problem sleeping, off to sleep within a few minutes, however I never had any problem sleeping before surgery either. :)

[hensylee]

Rose, there are a few who just can't get our sleep pattern settled back down to where it used to be. Your body has had a major disruption of all functions, including sleep patterns. It's going to take awhile, if ever. I always read when I go to bed - until I get sleepy. I guess some of us just have to find things that will set the scene for sleep. My daughter drinks chamomile tea before bed and it helps her a lot. (she's never had any surgery, just can't sleep). I don't know, tho, if this would affect INR if you are on coumadin. There will be others who come in and will give you their solutions.

[Ross]

Nearly 4 years post op and I'm still an insomniac. I've tried everything and just discussed the sleep lab with my Cardiologist. Don't think that's going to do jack either, but might give some hints.

[geebee]

I lost my ability to sleep after my last OHS in 1994. I have been unable to sleep more than a few hours at a time unless I dope myself up. Since I have an aversion to any pill I don't need to live, I simply sleep when I can, although I do not sleep at work ;) ;) :D

I was upset for a long time but realized that I can't do anything about it so I am at peace with it now.

I think I am in a minority and hopefully you won't have the same long-term problems. However, I felt you should have all possible information and scenarios.

Best of luck.

[Superbob]

Rose, the first anniversary of my OHS is coming up just after Valentine's Day, and sleep is still an "issue" with me, too. Regulars on here will know I have posted and even started threads at bizarre hours on here about sleeplessness -- because I couldn't sleep. :D Okay, okay, I have used these forums to whine. :D

Experiences differ from person to person, so hopefully you will be among those returning to a normal sleeping pattern soon.

Personally, I have found it helpful to quit worrying so much about it. When I'm awake in the middle of the night, I just put on some soft music and try to relax.

I do have a backup: My doctor gave me a prescription for Temazepam, generic for Restoril. I find that for me when I take one of these pills I do sleep soundly and have no bad side-effects. But I don't want to be taking one of these every night, along with all the other powerful medicines I take, so I take one just when I have an important meeting or event coming up and think uninterrupted sleep would do me good.

My doctor has given me refills on the sleeping pills a number of times because it's clear that I am using them sparingly. This isn't really a solution -- but it does give me some peace of mind knowing I have these if I absolutely need one. (Still, I'd like eventually to get rid of them altogether.)

I also have a bedside-table sound machine that helps by playing sounds of ocean, rain, etc, or just regular radio stations. This is partly to mask a ringing of the ears that I also developed post-op. It has helped.

Finally, I am a night owl from way back who finds late night the best time for writing or paying bills or whatnot, and my wife is constantly telling me I should start winding down earlier and I would probably sleep better. My dear wife, of course, is no doubt right, as she usually is -- but I am still a night owl.

Anyway, sleep problems are common post-op, so you should be reassured that you have plenty of company. I have found that it has helped me just to vent on vr.com, so hopefully the thoughts being shared on this forum will help you too.


Cheers,

Bob

[rbl1999]

Thanks everyone once again... I agree with you, Bob, it is just better and easier to get up and not stress about not sleeping!!!!!