Hi Lore,

Itsme again. Yes, I do experience insomnia and I spoke to my general doctor and he told me to take ambien.
Sometimes it helps but sometimes I still wake up in the middle of my sleep ( around 2am or 3am in the morning) and can't go back to sleep right away.
I used to hear a lot of swooshng and ODD SOUNDS in my ear and head but that's settling down, although it bothers me at times. I try to IGNORE IT or it can freak me out. So, yes....I think our sleep patterns does get effected, although mine is getting better and I don't take
ambien as often now.

Hope Kevin can get his zzzz's cause I hear SLEEP is very important for us!

itsme

Lore,

Boy do I have sleep issues!  I've had trouble sleeping for years now but it's at an all time high since my last surgery (April).  I spoke to my surgeon about it and he said that it was common for many people after brain surgeries (I also had this problem after my first surgery 3 years ago) and should rectify itself over time.  I hope it's soon because I'm not faring well with 2-3 hours of interrupted sleep/night.  The doctor also suggested Ambien for me too but I can't afford it and it isn't covered under my drug plan.   I don't think I'd be sleeping at all if it weren't for Tylenol PM.

It's funny because I saw Kevin post here late (early this morning) and immediately thought to myself "hmmm bet he can't sleep either" and then you posted this!   Helpful to hear I'm not alone. 

Lisa

Jenny,

I tried Melatonin and while it did indeed help me to get to sleep, I experienced HORRIBLE nightmares  which I eventually linked to the Melatonin.  I personally must not react to it well but I too have heard that it's very helpful to many people.

Lisa

Caras been a great sleeper once in bed...maybe its the few TIA's she has along with an active personality...she's tired enough.

I do know that for a person with ADD or ADHD...their minds go on and on.  I have two boys who struggle with sleep (now 17 1/2 and almost 16)...I forgot already but they were on a medication that is suppose to shut off the ADD at night...a mild form...never really worked.

My oldest was put on melotanin once..never worked.

They are currently on Trazodone and seems to work...by 30 minutes they are asleep.  Both only take their ADD medication during the school year.

I read with ADD....people who have brain trauma tend to have some similarities to people who have ADD.   So been watching Cara's attention span...which was very very sharp prior to the operation...she was unbelievably so focus...then when she had surgery one, the stroke that night after the surgery...her attention span disappeared...one second here then one second there...has come a LONG way since first and second surgeries.   So I see alot of "healing", with her attention span getting longer and longer....but I would imagine having brain surgery theres bound to be some "easily distracted" moments.   Even Cara's OT and PT was surprised I wondered if Cara has a bit of ADD...they said its very similiar but chances are Cara will improve where others may not.

CarasMOM

Thank you Irene, Lisa, Jenny and Carasmom for sharing your sleepless experiences. 

Lisa, you are right on the money.  Kevin was posting at 2:00 am cause he sleeps about two or three hours at a time. Of course that now means me too since I wake up thinking he might need help.  Perhaps I will just have to drink heavily.  I have to find the humor in it or I would  simply go crazy.

Jenny, my heart goes out to you with little Daphne.  It has really got to be difficult for all the family.  I hope the doctors can truly find something to help sweet little Daphne sleep....and you too. I know when Kevin was having horrible headaches and he couldn't speak it was extremely difficult to know what was happenning and to what degree and he is a grown man.  I can only imagine what it is like for you with Daphne.  God bless you all

Irene, thanks for letting me know about Ambien. You have been very helpful and supportive sharing your experiences which Kevin can really relate to. He agrees with you, jokingly of course, that it is because you are two of the older ones. HeHe!   

Carasmom,  You will be interested to know I took Kevin to the doctor today to discuss his sleep patterns and he prescribed Trazodone.  Thanks for sharing that it works for your boys. Also, I follow Cara's story.  What a sweet little girl who has had to endure so much.  I know you have your hands full.  When I think I have had about all I can endure, I  think of you and Jenny. God Bless you

I think the sleep patterns are related to MM.  Kevin did not have this problem until after his stroke.  Also, the doctor explained that some sleep aids allow a restful nights sleep but one can wake up in the morning and feel groggy. This bothered the doctor because Kevin has always had balance problems since his stroke. He also explained that Kevin's stroke caused high anxiety and as a result of having to take anti- anxiety meds, he is somewhat limited to what he feels comfortable prescribing. Kevin is on other meds as he has also had a seizure.  So I guess it probably depends alot on the daily meds and adding a sleep aid and also on ones specific neurological condition. Oh, the doctor also mentioned that some sleep aids like Ambien are usually short term for those who can't get to sleep as opposed to those who sleep a few hours at a time. Apparently this is the key to what you may or may not be able to take to assist with getting a full nights rest over the long term.

Thank you all for sharing.  I will keep you posted as I have to keep track of Kevin's sleep for the next two weeks and if he is still having difficulty sleeping, more than a couple hours at a time, he will reevaluate Kevin at that time.

Thanks again and God bless all.

Lore      

Lore,

I want to add too that when Ben first started Tradazone ...he had headaches in the morning...but got used to it.  When Ben first got it..he was fast asleep in 30 minutes...Brandon was shocked and wanted to know what happened to Ben...I explained he got a new sleeping aid.  So next day I called the doctor and asked if Brandon could try it.  And it works.  Brandon never experience "head aches" like Ben with it.  But they tend to go to bed late and take the pill late.  There were times when they had to get up early and felt tired...so far its summer...and the do sleep in.   When school starts I'm going to make sure they take it at nine or ten  rather than at 11 or midnight.

CarasMOM

hello,
I too have sleep problems. But, it started right after surgery. I see the my dr. next week I'm going to ask about it. Waking up every few hours makes you still tired in the morning. 
             Lena...

Hey guys,

Sorry for jumping in to this thread so late, but just wanted to put up another "tally".  Tara has always slept like a log - still does.  She can easily sleep 9 or 10 hours, waking up just to go to the bathroom, then right back to sleep.  I've not seen any change since her surgeries.

Wish I had that kind of time to sleep . . .

Hugs to all,
Jill