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I have a question about if anyone suffers from constant "Mind Racing" when one mind never stops thinking and constant thought procecess? I still suffer from mind racing even after surgery.  I was wondering if its from Post Op from me having a near death experience or if it could be from the surgery where I just had my surgery on the 18th of Jan. It bothers my sleeping,I don't get a good nights sleep because of the "Mind Racing." I asked my Dr. about if there is anything I can do too get a good nights sleep.


Just wondering if anyone else suffers from this before surgery(Like I have)and after surgery(also like I'm going through now). I was wondering if this is normal for MM patients?

Thank you

Kieu,
thank you that helps knowing that i am not alone. And my mind is crazy. Its always thinking and i can never get a good nights sleep. I feel like I haven't slept at all

Hi

From diagnosis, I too had a very active mind - I sought help before I went insane !!

I have been learning self hypnosis and attending yoga nidra classes. In addition to the classes for both of these, I have purchased CD's so I can practice one or both every day.

This works 99% of the time !

I also cut out all alcohol & caffeine, and drink only chamomile tea.

Am now able to fall asleep more easily, and do not wake up as much !

Good luck

Helene

try mediation.......... candles, incense.... all quite yummy

I too have the same problem at night.  Once I'm tired and ready for bed, I lay there for hours with my mind just racing about stuff.  I've tried several different things as well but what has worked best for me is a script for "Ativan" (Lorazepan).  It's generally prescribed for anxiety (like it's great if you're clostorphobic and need to have a MRI done--works great!) but also to relieve insomnia, tension, nervousness.     I know it affects the chemicals in your brain.  I can usually take one and it helps relieve my mind and fall asleep.      The good thing is, you don't wake up tired the next morning.  I'm to the point where I do not take it every night.  I just like to have it on hand for when I come across those particular nights.  Good Luck!!

Hello All!,
So many of us with restless minds......I have a few things ideas:

First, I know that craniotomies cause insomnia and/or 'trouble sleeping through the night'.  I wish I could remember where I read that.  I will try to find it...it is somewhere on the web. 

Second, I am almost positive that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) greatly interferes with sleep, concentration (my guess this refers to clarity of thought and attention span), and anxiety.  I know that I would define my 3 terrifying years pre-surgery as traumatic (as well as the surgery itself).  Do not underestimate what you have been through.  The experiences we have may make us stronger, wiser, more empathetic, but they also have just as strong negative consequences. Sorry to be so sappy and trite, but a lot of messages on this website seem to deem this syndrome as purely a physical curse. I completely disagree:
I was told that I was going to die (as many others have been told) and I can never articulate the relief and joy I feel that I am sitting here with my husband and dog, that I will be able to have children and teach and garden and go on walks, and travel and simply LIVE!  But, I am not completely healed from this syndrome.  I am scarred from my experienc. I am not purely happy.  I cannot embrace life as I hoped I would if only I could survived.  My mind races as well and I am sorry for my ramblings.  I am saying all this to try to convey that maybe some of us have been emotionally scarred/traumatized by our experiences. Who knows?  Any thoughts?
Hugs, quiet minds, and sleep-filled nights all around,
Steph

shgr wrote on Mar 9^th, 2006 at 10:08pm:


I just wanted to piggyback on to what Stephanie and Sara said.  After going through Tara's experience from diagnosis, then surgeries, to present day, part of me wholeheartedly agrees.  I've told many parents of MM patients that I think life is never quite the same.  I know that I will NEVER take a single day for granted, as I sometimes did prior to Tara's diagnosis (I suppose that's a good thing).  The downside is that I think I'll never be able to totally relax, either.  Every little ache or pain she has makes my heart drop.  A TIA is enough to make my blood run cold.  Scarred?  Traumatized?  Unquestionably.  I know I am, and I'm not even the MM patient.  It's impossible for me to fully understand the perspective of someone who has been diagnosed with this disease.  I do, however, hold tight to the knowledge that research is being done to understand what causes it to develop.  When the day comes that they have the answers, it will certainly be a day to celebrate, won't it?  

For now, despite the fears, I enjoy the simple things with my precious daughter.  Hearing her laugh is enough to make my heart soar, and a hug from her brings an indescribable amount of joy.  Do I hate that this happened?  Yes - but through places like this website where there is support, understanding and friendship, life is better, and we'll all get through this . . . together.

Hugs to my MM family,
Jill