Can't Sleep!?!

[countrygirl]

Hello! I had a hysto a little over a year ago. A couple of months ago I started having major hormone changes, now I don't sleep without meds!! I try and I just can't do it. Anyone else have this? Also had my first round of night sweats last month. :(

[txgurl]

It helps to exercise a couple of days a week. You might try drinking a cup of warm cocoa or Ovaltine and take a warm bath before bed.

Go to Bath and Body and get lavender lotions and sprays, this scent relaxes you.

[clogaholic]

Have you discussed this with your dr? I had problems with sleep too. Not getting to sleep but staying asleep. I had horrible headaches and night sweats. My dr adjusted my hrt and I'm sleeping better, no headaches ( well a sinus one sometimes ) and no sweats.:)

Best wishes, I hope that you get it all worked out. I'm a bear when I don't have enough sleep. :grin:

[Kathy]

I'm sorry you are having trouble sleeping. This is something to discuss with your doctor....or if you think its related to hormones, you can head over to the hystersisters.com to ask them there. ;)

[babsRN]

OH speaking of the lavender...I splurged one day on the new Lavender/Vanilla scented Downy and now I'm hooked (and it's really no more expensive than the Downy Advanced)...I pour more than I should into my wash with my sheets...mmmm.....that's a wonderful relaxing scent right on your pillowcase....

I agree it probably is a hormonal thing and you do need to talk to your doc. I load my bed up with down...feather bed topper, thick down comforter, feather pillows and a big body pillow, plus a couple smaller ones for counterpressure against my back...nothing like sleeping in a wonderful smelling cloud to relax you... :)

Good luck! :)

[countrygirl]

Thanks everyone for your help. I will talk to my doc. when I get one here. I am from a small town with just a few drs. and here(just out side Baltimore, MD) I can't seem to figure out who I should see. A woman from church is going to help me.

[Kate]

You should also try some decaf green tea. It's great for your body and will put you to sleep. Atleast for me it does. Total relaxer. :) Another things that helps me is cardio! Not right before bedtime, but during the day going fullforce for 30 minutes or so.

[AgingGracefully]

I have had numerous sleeping problems as well, and take several different medications. However, you might try making a Sleep Pillow. This is real simple. All you have to do is cut two squares of fabric about 12X12 (you can make this any size really). Sew three edges together like you are sewing a pillow, and then add about 3 cups of rice (but not minute rice) and some dried lavender and thyme. Sew the top edge shut. When you are ready to use the pillow toss it in the Microwave for one minute.When it comes out it will be nice and warm and will be relaxing because of the lavender. Toss it in your bed and you will feel better. It is also great to use like a heating pad on achy muscles and joints etc.
Sweet Dreams.....
Kathy

[smilesrme]

Boy...can I relate to you!! I am struggling with a very similar situation. Doing the warm milk, Ovaltine, calcium, lavendar lotion, going to bed at same time each night, relaxation exercises, using the bedroom for sleeping and sex only, no caffeine or heavy snacks before bed, exercising in the day, etc. etc. all seem to help at times. Insomnia is no laughing matter! It can really affect your overall health. You may need to visit a Doc or an alternative provider. Our lives as busy women with many different distractions tend to upset our sleeping habits. I hate the thought of taking pills in order to sleep, so if you find something that does work, let us know!
Blessings!
(A Princess of the King):queen:

[fultime]

Hello! I had a hysto a little over a year ago. A couple of months ago I started having major hormone changes, now I don't sleep without meds!! I try and I just can't do it. Anyone else have this? Also had my first round of night sweats last month. :(

Hi, Yes I have the same problem, night sweats and the worst is really heavy periods which I've had for three years now! Had to have iron injections because I get so anaemic, I am 51 and still no sign of it stopping. The sleeplessness I just stay up as long as I can, then try sleeping for a few hours, I've also tried using Nytol which does work but gives me the weirdest dreams! When I get to a bad stage of days of sleeplessness then I resort to the Nytol but don't want to get addicted to it. Its all part of the menopause unfortunately along with the aching bones, tiredness, hot flushes etc. I do use a herbal remedy called Estroven which does help especially with the mood swings. Sorry can't give you much help really. If anyone knows how to cope with the flooding, which is now occuring every 17 days or so I would be grateful. My GP won't recommend a hysterectomy because of my age as she feels I will stop soon anyway!

[battlefield]

hi i know how u feel i had a hys 4 years ago and my md just said take the hormones and you will be fine i tried but didnt like the way i felt i too have trouble sleeping still i got a rx for slepping meds and only tak them after 2 nights of restless sleep they help dont go to long w/o sleep it affects everything you do try not to stress out to much over things and yoga helps good luck

[Tennile]

I sure hope you can get some sleep. And if you find out the secret PLEASE let me know!! I have been suffering for over a year now! Tried everything over and behind the counter!!

Good luck to you!
HUGS!
Tennile

[battlefield]

hi i had a hyster 4 years ago and wish someone would of told me to get help sooner i wasnt sleeping well for a long time and end3ed up in the hospital witha irregular heart rate due to no sleep get something to help you try the healthfood store calm is oneor st johns wort hope it helps god luck

[BBShopMom]

I was recently prescribed some meds to help me sleep. I had always had problems falling asleep and then developed issues with staying asleep all night. I'd wake up every hour or so. The meds helped but also getting some regular exersize and stopping the evening snacking helped too. I also have started getting occaional night sweats and hot flashes so the hormonal thing also part of it. You'd think with all of the medical advances, they could do something about our crazy hormones!!

[Ingy4Peace]

I still struggle with night sweats nearly every night. Many of the things mentioned previously help some, but no one thing completely helps. I took hormones after my hysterectomy, but still had sweats so I quit - no better, no worse. I have found that the thing that helps most consistently is practicing deep breathing after getting into bed - at pretty much the same time every night. The routine really does work - at least it helps me GET to sleep - now, how to STAY asleep - I wake up drenched sometimes.

[Duchesslady]

hi

i sleep very badly. at one time i didnt sleep for about a few months - never knew what it was.

now, i am a very light sleeper, slightest noise and whoosh wide awake and then it takes me a couple of hours to relax and drift off - next thing i know its time to get up!

also i had my hysterectomy 8 years ago and am on HRT and some nights and days I can be fine and other days i sweat so much and my hot flushes when i am at work with my lovely beetroot face! Wow! :D

[kitnkat]

I can finally sleep! I had hysterectomy just over one year ago and was on HRT for quite a few years before the operation.
The HRT really didn't help with night sweats or day sweats at all. After alot of med altering and ajusting of strengths I still found myself sweating terribly at night and lots of hot flashes too in the daytime.
After the operation, I was advised to go off the HRT, and my new doc prescribed a med called Dixarit. They are quite often used for menopausal night/day sweats....and it works!!! Finally I can sleep well, and no more sweating, not even while doing light housework. All those years of suffering on the HRT and now just two tiny pills per night and what a difference.
I'm happy now, finally!

[benswife]

i have always had what th doctor said is severe insomnia...been on meds off and on for years and years..i had my hysterectomy on 1/26,and since then its gotten so much worse...i dont understand this,as i am so tired almost all the time,but when it comes time to sleep,here i am,waide awake,and on my laptop...im off the sleeping meds as of several months ago,so when it gets really bad,and i know i need sleep,i take 2 tylenol pms and that really seems to help on some nights...some nights,it dont matter what i take,i still dont sleep,or wake up 30 times once i do fall asleep...sonie

[billsmrs]

I don't sleep all night either. Wake up every hour on the hour....no joke! Then the night sweats.....YIKES!

I am not on any HRT and only use OTC meds such as the estroven that my doctor recommended. I know when I don't take it I can tell a difference so it does help but it doesn't make all the hot flashes stop and for sleeping....well, that is the pits!

I see my doctor in April for my 1 year and I plan on asking her if she can do something for me. I would love to be able to sleep through the night.

[Garciamom]

I to have always had sleep problems! I had my Hysterectomy last July 2007. Went right into menopause, and all that good stuff that comes with it. But before all that I still had sleep problems. I was always good at working the graveyard shift!! The trouble now is I am allot older , and I have Diabetes and a few other inllnesses too. I am always tired cause I cnat sleep at night. I also take many meds, and have to drug myself to go to sleep. And even then , sometimes, I still dont get to sleep. I am so tired!! I am always tired and have never caught up! I also have 7 kiddos, 4 still at home. So the only time I really get any sleep is after they are gone to school. I can sleep reallygood from about 8:30 AM until around 10:00 AM or so. But I dont always have the chance to do that. I drink Ovaltine and warm milk and all that too!! Nothing I do seems to really work. I dont remember the last time I slept all through the night. I dont remeber the last time I fell asleep before the AM hours either! Guess thats just how I am, a night person!! Say a prayer for me please!! I could so use the sleep!! Thanks!

[nitngale]

I use liptons camomile tea in the new herbal series, it works great, and believe this or not, vicks vapor rub to the soles of your feet and socks helps as well, if all else fails the doctor I work for suggests melatonin, it is over the counter and herbal...sweet dreams.

[Garciamom]

Thank you very much! I have tried Melatonin before, a long time ago. And I have tried Chamomile teat too. I gotused to the tea, but maybe if I try it agian now it will help me. I sure could use a good night sleep! I have also been recently told i have Multiple Sclerosis! So thats a whole new ball game for me! I have been learning allot about it on the computer too. I always knew there was something wrong with me, just never could find out what.

[bonnieclaire]

I had my hyst a year ago, but had already gone through menopause so that wasn't a problem after surgery.

When I was going through menopause...started 7 years ago and continued until about 2 years ago, I was up every hour during the night and couldn't concentrate because of the hot sweats and chills. I had asked my Gyn what to do for relief. He told me to try Soy Supplements rather than Hormone Replacement Therapy. I used the Soy with Black Cohosh and after a month, I had relief from the night sweats and chills.

It worked for me, maybe it will work for you, too.

Also, stay away from coffee & chocolate...and anything with caffein and also fatty or spicy foods. These seem to increase the sweats.

Good luck!