Insomnia

[slonezp]

Can't sleep since my surgery.Never had this problem before. Last night was the worst. Laid down at 11 and last time looking at the clock it was 3am. Doc offered to prescribe Ambien but I have heard stories about people on this stuff. My luck, I'd be the guy walking naked down the street carrying a shotgun in the middle of the night. I have also not had a drop of alcohol in 2 weeks and whiskey has beed a staple in my diet for 20+ years. I have just about stopped the pain killers, just taking them before I lay down for bed to help with the discomfort. The ol' lady wants me to drink chamomile tea but I am repulsed by the flavor. Any suggestions?

[kylek]

I use to take ambien and always had good luck on it. You might try that new stuff made by the Nyquil people. It is suppose to be some new sleep medicine.

[retiredbosn]

Slone,

I'm a chronic pain patient been on pain killers longer than I want to say. What I've found is that you should not take any pain medicine before going to bed, they keep you awake. I know this goes against all label warnings of causing drowsiness,.but from my experience drowsiness does not equal sleep. Try taking the meds 2 hours before going to bed, they will be at peak effectiveness and will not interfere with sleep as much. I personally try not to take any after 7.

[Root beer]

Do you live in a medical marijuana state? They'll help with both symptoms minus all the crappy side effects and addiction.

[MarkH024]

I was going to suggest getting off the pain meds. I had double hernia surgery two years ago and I could only stand taking pain meds for a day. The 3rd night I felt like I was a crack head. Could not sleep, could not sit still and other problems. I stopped taking them and just did some Ibuprophen to take the edge off and that helped.

[slonezp]

The first week I was taking the meds every 5 hours or so and was probably sleeping 16 hours a day. The insomnia started as soon as I cut back to once before bed. I can tolerate the discomfort during the day. I'll try knocking off the meds completely and see if that helps

[slonezp]

Do you live in a medical marijuana state? They'll help with both symptoms minus all the crappy side effects and addiction.

Quit that 30 years ago. Have no intention of revisiting it.

[retiredbosn]

Do you live in a medical marijuana state? They'll help with both symptoms minus all the crappy side effects and addiction.

Calling BS, on this, the receptor in your brain that processes pain is unaffected by cannabis, therefore no reduction in pain felt. Basically you just don't care you're hurting.

[Root beer]

Calling BS, on this, the receptor in your brain that processes pain is unaffected by cannabis, therefore no reduction in pain felt. Basically you just don't care you're hurting.

"Recent research has made it clear that CB1 receptor agonists act on pathways that partially overlap with those activated by opioids but through pharmacologically distinct mechanisms. (5) Research on cannabinoid biology offers new insights into clinical use, especially given the scarcity of clinical studies that adequately evaluate the medical value of marijuana. For example, despite the scarcity of substantive clinical data, basic science has made it clear that cannabinoids can affect pain transmission and, specifically, that cannabinoids interact with the brain's endogenous opioid system, an important system for the medical treatment of pain."

Source: http://serendip.bryn...aalexander.html

My roommate in college is a psychology major and his field of interest is drug abuse and marijuana studies. He has access to database loaded with psychology clinical studies. His thesis will be done on the plant. Even the U.S. Supreme court are now revisiting new studies about its therapeutic values. The plant itself does has analgesic properties. Then again, what's the difference in being high on marijuana and feeling the buzz from the painpill where in either cases you feel the buzz more than the actual pain? Medical states even have creams you can rub on your body that relieves pain, but doesn't make you feel high. (loaded with Cannaboid.) I'm not going make a huge debate or attempt to derail this thread, but I was just offering an alternative and if the OP doesn't want to revisit or consider it that is fine, just thought it could be thrown out there. I mean, once you eliminate alcohol, painpaill, sleep med, what else is there?!?!?

[slonezp]

. I mean, once you eliminate alcohol, painpaill, sleep med, what else is there?!?!?

Structure and purpose.

I stopped the booze for 2 reasons. Had a bad experience a few years back after a similar injury. Pain meds and whiskey don't mix. Also I'm a pretty big guy. Putting that sugar in my body with no means of working it off at this point in time would just make me blow up even more.

I think the lack of structure and purpose is what's causing this. Having to wake up to sit and watch tv or the computer is getting old. It's been raining and I haven't got out much. I attempted to pull what's left of my rotting tomatos from the garden this past saturday and it became painful. Hell, when I worked I was up a 5:30 every morning without the help of an alarm clock. This included weekends. I winterized the boat. I have a garage full of tools I can't use. Wow! I sound depressed. I assure you I am not. Just really fricken bored. I almost went and bought a new boat the other day. I still may, but realisticaly I should wait til I'm back at work. I'm starting PT on Thursday. It'll give me something to do.

[Root beer]

Structure and purpose.

Understandable. Having nothing to do can be make days painful. It what i hated the most when I had my leg surgery, all I could do was sit on computer, watch tv, play xbox, and study. It got annoying and depressing quickly. Riding bikes, getting out of the house, and doing things that has a real purpose can be mentally and physically draining. Which is a good and normal thing. Not having a real purpose, or being physically disable can drive one crazy and throw his/her body cycle out of whack, in my experience.

[retiredbosn]

Then again, what's the difference in being high on marijuana and feeling the buzz from the painpill where in either cases you feel the buzz more than the actual pain?

With proper pain management the patient should never be high, the idea that pain patients go around high is wrong. According the pharmicist the patient should not have any sideeffects like constipation. You can not get out of pain you treat it until its manageable.

Structure and purpose.

I stopped the booze for 2 reasons. Had a bad experience a few years back after a similar injury. Pain meds and whiskey don't mix. Also I'm a pretty big guy. Putting that sugar in my body with no means of working it off at this point in time would just make me blow up even more.

I think the lack of structure and purpose is what's causing this. Having to wake up to sit and watch tv or the computer is getting old. It's been raining and I haven't got out much. I attempted to pull what's left of my rotting tomatos from the garden this past saturday and it became painful. Hell, when I worked I was up a 5:30 every morning without the help of an alarm clock. This included weekends. I winterized the boat. I have a garage full of tools I can't use. Wow! I sound depressed. I assure you I am not. Just really fricken bored. I almost went and bought a new boat the other day. I still may, but realisticaly I should wait til I'm back at work. I'm starting PT on Thursday. It'll give me something to do.

The hardest thing I've ever done is learning how to do nothing without going crazy, and that is debatable, lol

[Fishing Rhino]

heIf I recall, it wasn't that long ago you had surgery. It impacts the body more than most people realize.

I had hand surgery several years ago for dupuytrens contracture. It's fibers that form on the tendons that work your fingers. They draw on them making the finger bend at the hand or the next joint toward the tip of the finger. Never had a lot of pain, or problems, but the doctor told me that the hand would be ticked for a year. That's a technical medical term.

I went in for seven o'clock surgery and was on my way home in time for lunch. Nonetheless, the doctor told me it would be a year before my hand was happy again. It's not surprising that you're experiencing a change in your sleeping habits.

In '63 I broke a leg in a motorbike accident. Was in the hospital for three weeks. Had surgery to install a plate to make sure it healed properly. I had all sorts of problems sleeping, from not being able to get to sleep, from not being able to get back to sleep if I woke up during the night. Don't remember how long it took for my system to sort itself out, but it was a while.

Maybe Peg could sing you a lullaby.

[slonezp]

Maybe Peg could sing you a lullaby.

She's not a bad singer

http://youtu.be/sWZmkZGZEEE

http://youtu.be/ubDOFO6rZnQ

[Jake P]

Can't sleep since my surgery.Never had this problem before. Last night was the worst. Laid down at 11 and last time looking at the clock it was 3am. Doc offered to prescribe Ambien but I have heard stories about people on this stuff. My luck, I'd be the guy walking naked down the street carrying a shotgun in the middle of the night. I have also not had a drop of alcohol in 2 weeks and whiskey has beed a staple in my diet for 20+ years. I have just about stopped the pain killers, just taking them before I lay down for bed to help with the discomfort. The ol' lady wants me to drink chamomile tea but I am repulsed by the flavor. Any suggestions?

Be very careful with Ambien. I and many people I know have first hand BAD experiences when not used properly and also when used properly. If you do end up taking it, the key is to LAY DOWN immediately after you take it. Dont wait to feel the drowziness. The first couple times I took it without laying down I did ridiculous things I did not remember.

First time I called my brother and told him not to come over and watch a movie tonight because I had a big test in the morning at school. I was 20 at the time and not in school. He was 1 of the many that I called and told this too.

The last incident is what made me find an alternative sleep aid. I took my Ambien at about 11 at night. I can not make this up even though it is going to sound like total BS. I woke up or "came to" at nearly 3 in the morning at the Hilton hotel parking lot accross from Bass Pro in grapevine TX in my boxers only, in my truck with the truck running in park. I have no memory of leaving my moms or driving what so ever. Talk about trippy!!! .

I talked to my doctor and thats when he told me you must lay down immediately after taking it that way when the drowziness occurs you will already be in bed with yours eyes closed and most likely fall asleep. It worked fine after that and to my own knowledge I never did anything like that again. I stopped taking it anyways and started taking Unisom sleep gels which worked great and didnt have any side effects for me. I didnt want to take the chance of something happening again while taking Ambien. Basically it scared the S out of me.

I think you nailed it though when you said structure. Sleeping is an easy thing to do after you wake up early and work all day. When all you can do is rest all day I doubt your body wants to rest all night as well.

Pain killers always woke me up. The narcotics like the Lortabs I took when I broke my ankle gave me an EXTREME euphoric feeling. I had to stop taking them when I started liking it. Addiction runs heavy in my family so I stay away from it all. Except a nice Jack n coke or Shiner Bock.

Not being able to sleep is one of the worst feelings. I hope it goes away and you can get some shut eye brutha.

[Traveler2586]

The first week I was taking the meds every 5 hours or so and was probably sleeping 16 hours a day. The insomnia started as soon as I cut back to once before bed. I can tolerate the discomfort during the day. I'll try knocking off the meds completely and see if that helps

Have you discussed this with your doc? Taking pain meds every five hours for a week and then cutting back to one at bed time may have given your worn out body a shock that may take some time to recover from; also sleeping 16 hours a day may have your body clock out of wack and will also need time to recover. I have always been told to tapper off of certain meds before stopping them. Ask you Doc, he knows your situation best.

Structure and purpose.

.............................

I think the lack of structure and purpose is what's causing this. Having to wake up to sit and watch TV or the computer is getting old. It's been raining and I haven't got out much. I attempted to pull what's left of my rotting tomato's from the garden this past Saturday and it became painful. Hell, when I worked I was up a 5:30 every morning without the help of an alarm clock. This included weekends. I winterized the boat. I have a garage full of tools I can't use. Wow! I sound depressed. I assure you I am not. Just really frickin bored. I almost went and bought a new boat the other day. I still may, but realistically I should wait til I'm back at work. I'm starting PT on Thursday. It'll give me something to do.

Welcome to retirement. or your version of it. I retired in 2006 from a very active job and found myself going through this, in fact I'm still going through it, I don't sleep well at all unless I've been physically active during the day.

What the H.... , as I type this there's an add at the bottom of the forum screen for Insomulex for Insomnia symptom relief !!! What the H... ?

Anyway, I can't fall asleep until 3, 4, 5 AM, but then I sleep until 11 because I don't have any reason to get up. Retirement - HA - this sucks big time.....

[Nitrofreak]

All this talk about drugs makes me wonder if thats why I can't remember the 70's and if retirement does this stuff to you, NO THANKS !!!

I will just keep working till i'm dead, hopefully I will be in an a beer induced sleep when that happens.

[Traveler2586]

All this talk about drugs makes me wonder if thats why I can't remember the 70's and if retirement does this stuff to you, NO THANKS !!!

I will just keep working till I'm dead, hopefully I will be in an a beer induced sleep when that happens.

I'd go back to work in a heartbeat if I was physically able, I decided to retire when I realized I couldn't preform to my own standards, or keep up with my teams; that really sent me into a depression. I've been in a descending vortex ever since.

My suggestion, keep working,,, unless you hit the lottery bug time.

[retiredbosn]

I'd go back to work in a heartbeat if I was physically able, I decided to retire when I realized I couldn't preform to my own standards, or keep up with my teams; that really sent me into a depression. I've been in a descending vortex ever since.

My suggestion, keep working,,, unless you hit the lottery bug time.

Amen, to that traveler. I was injured in 91, kept working til 2002. I was forced into retirement. Couldn't go back to my old job, the doctors would not release me. Nobody would hire me, so I collect my military retirement, fish when I can, sit at home and rot when I can't. IT SUCKS!!! I am willing to work just not able, and I'm only 43.

[Traveler2586]

Can't sleep since my surgery.Never had this problem before. Last night was the worst. Laid down at 11 and last time looking at the clock it was 3am. ................... Any suggestions?

Hang in there big guy, I know this sucks and all I can suggest is ........ Nothing, I haven't got a clue........ If you find out how to get back to normal ( I mean normal for most of us, normal for you is another subject ) please let me know.

One thing I do that helps me sleep at times is to have a nice, tall, cold, glass of chocolate milk with Hershey's syrup. I'll get up around 3 or 4 and have a glass, drink it slowly, and then go back to bed. Don't know why, but I find it relaxing.

[Jake P]

Hang in there big guy, I know this sucks and all I can suggest is ........ Nothing, I haven't got a clue........ If you find out how to get back to normal ( I mean normal for most of us, normal for you is another subject ) please let me know.

One thing I do that helps me sleep at times is to have a nice, tall, cold, glass of chocolate milk with Hershey's syrup. I'll get up around 3 or 4 and have a glass, drink it slowly, and then go back to bed. Don't know why, but I find it relaxing.

my Mom used to tell me this when I was younger. A glass of milk before bed helps you sleep. I don't really drink milk but I remember her always telling me this.

[Fishing Rhino]

I was looking forward to retirement, and I still am. Don't do much work anymore, and when the few customers I have quit calling me for bodies and body panel, I can assure you I will not look back.

The wife and I have worked all the years we care to. We saved throughout our marriage, living well within our means so that when we retired we would not have to change our lifestyle. So far it has worked out. If I have another eight to ten years of independence as far as our activities, I'll be deliriously happy.

It's nice to be able to change plans on a whim. It's great not being locked into just having the weekends free where crummy weather can wipe out your fishing or travel plans. I can always go on the next decent day, be it a weekend or a weekday.

I like having no responsibilities or commitments.

To each his own.