Hubby's sleeping problem....

United States
February 17, 2008 1:46am CST
My husband never had any trouble falling to sleep until he injured his back. He injured it back in Aug., he ruptured a disc in his back and has not been able to work since, he has had 2 surgeries to repair it, the last one they put in a plate and some other hardwared. But he has been on a pain drug & then they added a sleeping aid, Lunesta. It worked for the 1st week or so. But then for weeks now, he would not be able to fall asleep until about 5 or 6 in the morning, by then he'd be sleeping half the day away. This week the dr. changed it to Rozerum (sp), but it's not change. So tonight he is going to try just the pain pill. He is getting very discouraged. He wants off all the meds so he can get back to normal. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what he can do to get back on a normal sleeping pattern? He needs to way before he can even think of going back to work. He drives a big truck and he hauls dangerous chemicals in and out of the refineries. Please any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
4 people like this
5 responses
@GardenGerty (157049)
• United States
17 Feb 08
Your hubby could be experiencing what is called paradoxical excitation from his pain med or the sleeping meds. It means that something that normally should make you calm and sleepy instead gives you insomnia, the jitters, tremors or hyperactivity. He should ask about the pain med. You did not say what it was. I think sometimes natural remedies are better and easier on your body.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Feb 08
I agreee with you, what you said makes perfect sense to me. Sounds just like what he is experiencing right now. He is taking a mild dose of oxycodone with tylenol in it. But it never bothered him until after this 2nd surgery. That's why I thought maybe an after effect of the anesthesia. He does have insomnia, jitters & tremors and not the hyperactivity but he says his limbs and joints bother him all through the night if he does not take the pain pills. Plus the back pain.
• United States
21 Feb 08
The first thing he needs to do is get off the pain meds if he can and tell him to try and not take any of the sleeping pill they are not good for him
@subha12 (18441)
• India
18 Feb 08
i think in this situations only doctors can help. if you think the same doctor can't solve the problem to this extent, then better consult another doctor. He can try without any medicine if it works.
@mummymo (23706)
18 Feb 08
Sweety I can empathise so much with your hubby as I too have had ruptured disks and surgery and been unable to drive or much else for almost 2 years and have not been able to work since last April. I am off the medication most of the time as it left a doped up and sick feeling and didn't help with the chronic pain so well! I know too what the sleep problems are like as I too have the same sleep difficulty! I wish I could tell you what helps but unfortunately I haven't found the long term answer myself! I know it sounds silly in some ways but lavender can help you drift off and it occassionally works for me it has to be worth a try right? xxx
@raydene (9871)
• United States
18 Feb 08
Check out...quote: "Gentle Sleep Complex* 90 tablets / 30 servings Valerian, Passion Flower, & German Chamomile. Kosher Star K For a Good Night's Rest There's a wonderfully restful alternative that falls between counting sheep and prescribed medication. It's called Gentle Sleep Complex.* It contains a complementary blend of herbs - valerian, chamomile, and passion flower - that promotes calm and restful sleep. For centuries these herbs have been used safely for occasional sleeplessness. " www.NoToxGreen.Com