Issue falling asleep

Could it be restless leg syndrome? I have it from time to time, is the feeling like you want to shake your legs or arms, but can't satisfy the urge?

Hmm, that is something I thought of. It is more of a twitching in my upper body. Last night I couldn't sleep, but I didn't feel any twitching .. I wonder.

Any time I'm under anesthesia, afterwards for a little while I have sleep trouble....falling asleep/staying asleep. I always wondered if it was from that. Being you are only 10 days out, maybe it's residual stuff from the anesthesia. I know it takes a while for that stuff to exit the body.

I had a similar experience post op for about 3 weeks. My arms would jerk around and I would wake up to my head bobbing around as well. This happened in the hospital, and for a bit at home. At first it was kind of scary, but one of my nurses said it happens sometimes.

I'm not sure what they used to put you out - but a lot of meds have an effect on the nervous system and they need to "wear off".

Also, I had to do "quiet" time with relaxed breathing and a bit of meditation to clear my head for sleep. At four months post op, no more twitches and I can fall asleep with almost no issues, unless I'm feeling stressed about something, then it takes a bit of time.

Poucher - now that you mention it, I had a similar issue temporarily after one of my prior surgeries. I'll wait it out.

Yesterday I did some very light jogging on the treadmill and walking for 40 minutes and it seemed to help. I'll continue to give that a shot. At the very least, it may clean me out a bit.

I use a low dosage of slow-release melatonin when needed; it is not habit-forming at all, and combined with a cup of chamomile tea tends to knock me out even with the twitchies.

Those are miserable, I hope you get relief soon!

Gin

I have a terrible time in the sleep department. I was on a low dose of Elavil for a couple of years and it really helped and then it lost its effectiveness. My doctor recommended Melatonin, Zinc, and Magnesium. I have not tried it yet but am going to give it a try and see what happens.

Here is the link if you're interested.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21226679

I bought some Melatonin yesterday, forgot to take it. I stayed up later than usual, midnight, slept fine until 4:30 for bathroom break. Not bad! (I did get some exercise before dinner.)

Wow KNKLHEAD, I'm glad you are feeling well enough to get in some light exercise! That's great.

How are you handling trying different foods? Are you finding everything you've tried so far is agreeing with your stoma?

... I'm almost embarrassed to say that I've had a voracious appetite and eating almost everything. I have yet to try red meat, but so far so good. I had an appointment yesterday with the surgeon, asked if I could go on business trip to CA next week .. he said absolutely. No pain, stoma working well .. starting to sleep better and gained 5 pounds in a week. I'd love to have a well-behaved j-pouch (yet tbd!) but the ostomy has given me very welcome relief.

I hope you are doing better and better!

Good to hear you are feeling better!

As far as the sleep thing goes, just wait it out. Once the anesthesia is out of your system and you have adjusted to a normal schedule, things will improve. I also had the voracious appetite after going back to the stoma!

Dear Knklhead,
I am so glad that you are doing so well so quickly after surgery. Did you also have the J-Pouch created during this surgery or are you doing a 3-step process? I am 4 weeks out from my total colectomy and S-Pouch surgery (with temp ileostomy) and I am having much more pain/difficulty than it appears you have had.

I was in the hospital for 12 days after surgery because when they tried to switch me to solid foods, I would throw up so would have to go back to liquids. Then my ostomy output was so high that they kept me due to dehyration.

I still don't have much of an appetite - I think it is because as soon as I eat, everything immediately runs through the ostomy as almost liquid. Are you having that problem too? I am taking fiber and Lomotil several times per day trying to slow things down but it doesn't seem to be working very well. Are you having to take fiber and lomotil or Immodium?

What appliance are you using? I have also had a hard time finding the right appliance that is comfortable.. I managed to walk on the treadmill for one day for about 1/2 hour but that is all I have been able to manage so far. I am just shocked to hear that you were already jogging on your treadmill. That is great news but I am just wondering what you are doing differently than me so I can do it too....lol....

I have also had a terrible time sleeping at night. I have Ambien which helps some nights but other nights it does not and I just watch TV all hours of the night even though there isn't much on.

Good luck with your business trip.

Thanks,
Wendy

Hi, WSH:

I rear your earlier post and glad you are doing well. I am unique, it that this is my third stoma. I've not had the best of luck so far with the "very nice looking" j-pouch ... abscesses and leaks. I have it way easier than you because I have a three-year-old pouch, so my last surgery was pretty simple; pull the SB out and make a loop ostomy. After my first step of three three years ago, it took me a while to shake the surgery, but it does happen!

I use Convatec moldable two-piece pouch system with very good success. I would say the tip is to ensure a good seal to your skin very close to the stoma! My first ostomy nurse gave me a a toothbrush, and I use the handle to poke the flange down onto the skin so there's a good tight fit right where it needs to be right up to the stoma. (I bet this is overlooked.)

After the first surgery it took some months, but each week was better and better. Keep plugging!

Thanks for the quick response. I was beginning to think I was doing something wrong. I hope everything heals for you this time. Have you actually gotten to use the J-Pouch yet? I sure hope everything heals soon!

yup try light exercise
and also "baby bendrayl"
most likely everything is just post anesthesia stuff
and drink lots and lots of fluids to flush out those surgery drugs
so happy to hear you are doing so well
I felt the same when my malfunctioning jpouch first got disconnected by remzi. I was like a new human in just two weeks. so happy for you.