sleep help

[disfan07]

I have been having a lot of trouble sleeping the past couple of nights because of stress/anxiety issues.

I am scheduled to have brain surgery in a couple of weeks and the past couple of days we have been doing a lot of things to get ready for the surgery (pre-op appts, writing advanced directive, etc) and it has heightened my anxiety issues adn my stress level to the point that I am not sleeping for more than a couple of hours a night.

My doctor is getting concerned about the lack of sleep especially since i cannot risk getting sick in the next couple of weeks because of surgery.

I have been trying to relieve my stress by spending more time at the gym and yoga and pilates classes which usually helps but it is not helping.
I cannot take meletonin (I already produce too much of it.....which is why it is so out of character for me to NOT be able to sleep)

My doctor and I both do not want to resort to medication for the next 2 weeks but this lack of sleep is becoming really bad and I need to start sleeping.

Does anyone have any ideas of ways to relieve stress and help sleeping without prescription meds?

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I do not sleep at all.... and you cannot go by me for that! lol my stress is beyond any help. BUT I would recommend a massage or two, try them at night...they are extremely relaxing and do put you to sleep!
and good luck with your surgery!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

maybe you can try one of the self hypnosis relaxation CDs out there. It could help

Best of luck to you on the surgery and a speedy recovery by the way.

 

[bella2009111]

I have the same problem, and it is really exhausting while after a long time can't asleep.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

Ask your doctor about Tylenol PM. I know you said no drugs, but it's pretty safe and effective. Since I work the graveyard shift, I take it on my days off since I am used to being up all night. 2 of 'em and I can get a solid 8 hours of sleep with no dreams. Only problem is I am usually groggy for an hour or so after waking up. The Walmart generic version is just as good also.

Also prayers sent for the surgery. Please let us know how it goes.

 

[disfan07]

Ask your doctor about Tylenol PM. I know you said no drugs, but it's pretty safe and effective. Since I work the graveyard shift, I take it on my days off since I am used to being up all night. 2 of 'em and I can get a solid 8 hours of sleep with no dreams. Only problem is I am usually groggy for an hour or so after waking up. The Walmart generic version is just as good also.

I had thought about tylenol PM but unfortunately, I am not suppsoed to be taking tylenol because of it's interaction with one of my other medications (can raise the levels of my med. in my liver adn cause permanant liver damage).

 

[golfgal]

I would try hypnosis. I know of several people that have done that for sleep problems and have been VERY happy with the results. Otherwise, my friend that is a clinical hypnotherapist has some sleep music type download things you can try. This is her website: http://www.mn-hypnosis.com/ .

 

[teskak]

When I cannot sleep due to stress (although nowhere near your stress), I listen to podcasts on my ipod.

They are just interesting enough for my brain to focus on and not the other 'stuff' but not like background music.

Surprisingly I find the Disunplugged podcast or political / current affairs podcasts to do the trick.

And if subliminally I learn about the DIS - that is not a bad thing

 

[shortbun]

Try some meditations and yoga. Lots of excersize is great but should be done early in the day and not late in the afternoon or early evening.

 

[maelstrom]

I had thought about tylenol PM but unfortunately, I am not suppsoed to be taking tylenol because of it's interaction with one of my other medications (can raise the levels of my med. in my liver adn cause permanant liver damage).

The "PM" in Tylenol PM is just diphenhydramine aka Benadryl.

 

[JessicaR]

The "PM" in Tylenol PM is just diphenhydramine aka Benadryl.

That what I was going to say. Just take a benadryl. Worth a shot if it helps.

Why would it be a bad thing to take a mild sedative over the next two weeks? Prior to major surgery I was a bundle of nerves and not sleeping at all. My anxiety level was extreme. The doctor gave me xanax for daytime and ambien to sleep at night. No lasting effects and no impact on my surgery. Just wondering if the benefit outweighs your concerns. Sleep deprivation is so debilitating.

Wishing you the best with your upcoming surgery!

 

[AshleyW]

If you're not supposed to take Tylenol, you could try Simply Sleep. It's made by Tylenol, but it's just the sleep aid without the Tylenol. The active ingredient is dyphenhydramine - same as Tylenol PM or Benadryl.

DF has a hard time sleeping when he has anxiety problems, and he was taking Tylenol PM for awhile and switched to Simply Sleep so that he wasn't taking so much Tylenol.

 

[disfan07]

we're trying to avoid any sleep aids because I am on soooo many other medications that we are always very cautious about adding anything new.

We are not completely opposed to it and if come monday when I go back to see her for my final pre-op appt I am still not sleeping, she's going to prescribe something....we're just trying to avoid if it possible.

I might try the benedryl. I have to take two benedryl though to get any effect from it because i've developed a tolerance to it. One benedryl does nothing for me sleep wise.

We're going to Disneyland tomorrow for two nights. I'm hoping that maybe that will relax me enough to get me back into a good sleep pattern.

 

[J Le]

I have many sleep issues mostly related to pain and I've been searching for the right answer for 25 years. I've literally tried everything. Due to a food allergy there are many meds I can't take so I've gone the natural route.

Biofeedback works really well for me but you won't be able to learn that in two weeks. My recommendation would be to try some combo of the following that you're comfortable doing.

Progressive muscle relaxation - simple to learn and do.

Eating 'sleep-enhancing' foods - magnesium is a sedative and can really help with muscle spasms and pain. A big spinach salad for dinner!

Avoiding the foods/drinks that can cause sleeplessness - which you're probably already doing but in addition to the obvious there's the sweets - when your blood sugar drops it can wake you up.

Routine, routine, routine. On the other hand, if something isn't working, stop doing it.

Aromatherapy - try a lavender candle.

Visualization with a sound machine or relaxing music.

I've tried many many more things (like acupuncture) but what's above is what I think works best.

It sounds like you've spent quite a bit of time setting things up and I bet that includes post-op care and activities. Since you're having brain surgery I'm sure that includes mental care and activity. I had my shoulder replaced and mental care was something I did NOT consider. I'm an extremely independent person and the dependency guilt I felt after surgery was more crippling than the surgery itself. This was way back when recovery was a physical only concept. Make sure you have an outlet - if that means a professional who can help - line it up now. It could be as simple as a good friend, or a someone from church but try to talk to someone who doesn't have a say in your physical care and well-being. A clear mind sleeps better!

Last but not least - I wish you the best of luck!!!