Not sleeping well

[DarknessEmbraced]

I sleep with a pillow under my knees and a pillow beside me so I won't turn on my side. Laying on my side hurts because of my incision and also the internal pain I have. I get up at least once or twice a night to go to the bathroom. To pee mostly but sometimes for bowel movements. I never feel rested. I know that recovering from surgery will make me feel tired too. I've tried napping during the day but can't.

[justin case]

If you woke up, today is a good day!
Michael

[DarknessEmbraced]

You're right Michael I do have to be thankful for that.

[KWT]

You just have to be patient. I'm going through it too. Up a lot last night for bathroom. Are you taking pain pills? I used to fight the pain medication now I look forward to it.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I take extra strength tylenol during the day and if gets really bad then I take a dilaudid. My surgeon gave me a prescription for 30 dilaudid with no refills. He said to try not to take them too much because they slow down my bowels.

[KWT]

Sleep is so important,I hope you can get some better sleep soon.

[Val*pal]

I'm so sorry you're having trouble sleeping. I think that's the most annoying thing in the world! However, keep in mind that you are still recovering from MAJOR abdominal surgery, and the healing process takes time. I think many people underestimate the shock surgery has on the body, so just go with the flow. Keep in mind that resting is also great for the healing process and in time you will get back to how you were before surgery.

Have you thought of asking your doc for something to help you sleep?

[lauragb]

You will eventually be able to sleep on your side again. After that surgery, the insides can be tender for a long time but it will get better. I hope you are able to rest some during the day.

Take care.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I haven't asked the doctor for anything to help with sleep because I worry about it affecting my other medications. I do get some sleep just not quality sleep. I do rest a lot during the day. I don't push myself.

[justin case]

I didn't mean to sound crass. I'm almost 3 years out from surgery, and still get up 1 or 2 times a night. During radiation, I used a pillow to stifle the noise of the chemo pump. After surgery, as you, I used the pillows to keep from rolling over. After I was about 8 weeks past reversal, it sure was nice to sleep on my stomach. Nightly, I still dream of cancer coming back. For some on this board, all of these are minor problems, as their anxiety, and pain,
keep them from sleeping most nights.
Michael

[Coppercent]

Have you tried walking? Maybe some more activity through the day will help with sleep at night.

[alphagam]

After every surgery I have had, for what ever reason, and there have been quite a few, the best medicine I ever used was walking. It might be slow, bent over walking, but it was walking. I did push myself. Not to the point of injuring something, but I did a bit more each day. I hate pain meds. Walking, cooking (I used a stool while chopping, etc.) walking some more. I was tired and slept well. As far as medications affecting each other, I figure that's what Drs and pharmacists are for. They are far more knowledgable than I on drug interactions. I'm in the US so my docs are a phone call away, but I ask questions every time. For my rectal Cancer surgery, I waited 2 days for pathology. When I had gallbladder and appendix removal last spring, my pathology esults were online. In less than 48 hours. I don't have "Cadillac" insurance either. My husband was in the Air Force for 25 years and we use Tricare Standard. Believe me, not the best.

Please DE, talk to your surgeon about your issues, your pathology and you meds. And walk. Move. You will recover faster and feel better

Kathy

[DarknessEmbraced]

I walk around the apartment but don't walk outside because I worry about slipping. Also I live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building with no elevator. I walk around the short hallway and my apartment is long. I'm dependent on taxis and buses to get places. I have no friends who live nearby who could give me lifts to the mall. My surgeon's office checked the pathology last week and said they are still in the diagnostic stage. There's only one pathology working on my results and everything here takes forever. I wish my results were available online.

[justin case]

It sounds to me like you need to get out of the apartment for a while. As I don't know your situation, this may not be good advise. I know I would go crazy being confined.
Michael