Ronald's Posts

I have a pre-op history of not sleeping well and this was worse post op. I am not a good napper, as that throws my sleep cycle off but after surgery, you need to nap, so sleeping was erratic. I now use a Tylenol PM at night, its jut Tylenol and Benadryl. But, I didn't use that early in recovery because I wasn't sure if it would bother the A-fib med and blood thinner I took for several months post op. Call your doctor's nurse, and see if she can get the Dr recommendation for over the counter meds or call you out a prescription.

I feel your pain. Continuous sleep has evaded me for months and still does. In critical times I use ativan (lorazepam) 1 mg to catch up on sleep if it has been 3 or 4 nights of broken sleep. This seems to be a double edged sword because this drug helps but it has side effects. Drinking and eating whole foods really help especially the supper meal. Exercise daily aerobically which really helps. Right after surgery i used a pain med before bed which helped me to sleep. Hope this helps?

I was a horrible sleeper prior and worse after. Post op insomnia is common and lonely. My magic wake up time was 4 am. It does go away. I think for me on week 5 or so. Just about the time I was sleeping till 9am straight through, it was time to go back to work. Keep at it. Tylenol Pm helps.

Ask your doctors if you can take Magnesium Taurate, not only is it good for your heart and supposed to prevent against erratic heartbeats, but it makes me sleep like a baby 70% of the time. I am also a horrible sleeper, before taking this magnesium I would wake up every morning 2-4 and watch Tv, that's happened only twice since.

Re: back issues! My PT gave me this advice - stand and walk as if you are the President/King/Emporer/Grand Poobah or whatever. Excellent posture will help alleviate your back pain rather quickly. Additionally, when you are sitting/resting/reclining, make sure your head and neck are supported. Your head is VERY heavy (16 lbs?), and the muscles that hold your head up extend down your back a good 8" if not more. Those muscles need a break, just like the rest of your body. If you don't have a U-shaped travel pillow, I suggest rolling up a sweatshirt or fleece top to use. One last thing - I remember in my hospital bed, the lovely nursing staff would wedge pillows under my armpits and elbows. that eased some pain also. Each day gets better, and the more you walk the better you'll feel! (Just don't over-do the activity, it'll put you out of commission for a whole day!)