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Thread Title: Getting back on schedule
Created On Sunday November 16, 2008 1:57 PM


postscript2
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Sunday November 16, 2008 1:57 PM

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Any advise for getting back to a normal routine, sleep wise? I'm tired of being up until 2:00am and waking at 1:00pm every day. P.T. should start soon, so that will get me out of here a few days a week. I have sleeping pills, but don't like them because of the side effects and nightmares, so that's not a good option.

Should I just get up early tomorrow and tough it out? Maybe cut back on pain meds at night, as the pain usually wakes me up???

I've run out of ideas, so thanks for any input! I guess boredom is the key to sleeping all day. If I got up at 6:00am, what would I do anyway???

LCS

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feelin it
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Sunday November 16, 2008 7:25 PM

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Start slow get up at 1100 then 1000 and so on that is what I did and try not to drink coffee it will make you more sore .
Try to do a little exercise if you can this is what I did.

good luck !!

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STEVEPSCA@YAHOO.COM
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Monday November 17, 2008 6:00 AM

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Stop the sleeping pills, and ask for a Rx for 'benedryl'....right to sleep, and no/little if any side affects..(I know, it's over the counter...but with a Rx, you don't have to pay, or get reimbursed due to 'medical necessity'...) Ask for 50mg dosage...1 or 2 as needed.


' Maybe cut back on pain meds at night, as the pain usually wakes me up???''.....tsk tsk tsk...No!
And, when you are trying to 'wean' at an inappropriate time, it's the same as 'self medicating'... taking the medications 'as needed' doesn't mean 'bear the pain'... until 'unbearable', then take a pill...take it on schedule...you'll probably sleep better to begin with.

You'd be suprised what benedryl can be used for...
I'm alergic to all 'cains'...so liquid benedryl is used for a local anesthetic...(go figure) Doctor said he could even use plain 'ol water...though it doesn't last long...(sorry off topic)

I sometimes don't know why we go to doctors... we all seem to think we know more than they do anyway...
When I want medical information I just ask my dad...he's been 'fired' by three of his doctors....he knows he knows more than they know !
So I asked him..."Is that what you know, or what you think you know...?" (OT again...sorry)

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gaiassoul1@yahoo.com
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Monday November 17, 2008 10:00 PM

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Recent article on Yahoo re: Nite Owls vs. Morning Persons....

http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22189/55286-truth-night-owls-morning/2

Here is part of the article...

Can an Owl See the Light?
Despite our preferences, we do live in a society where we pretty much follow an early risers schedule. If you are someone who has to conform to a regular work schedule, then there are some things you can do to help shift your sleep pattern into one. Many of them are tips on how to get a goods night sleep in general. The National Sleep Foundation has the following recommendations:

Dont bring it with you.
The bed should be used for sleeping and sex, not computing, watching TV, eating, etc. Though I read before going to bed, the NSF even recommends banning books from your boudoir.

Try to stay consistent.
Studies have shown that night owls tend to have inconsistent bed and waking times. One of the best ideas for a goods night sleep is to try to go to bed around the same time every night. (I find this nearly impossible on the weekends.) This will not only help you sleep better, it can help shift your clock to an earlier (or later, if thats what you want) bedtime.

Dont pull the shades.
Our sleep patterns are affected by light, so letting the natural stuff in each morning will help you rise. Dont put down the blinds or shades; the brightness will help you wake up. (If not totally make you mad.) In addition, when evening rolls around, dim the lights and make sure your bedroom is dark.

No midnight snacks or drinks.
The NSF recommends not eating two to three hours before going to bed and not drinking too close to bedtime either. Likewise, people who have a hard time falling asleep are generally told to limit late afternoon caffeine consumption.

Exercise regularlyit can help you fall asleep.
Exercising too close to bedtime can have the opposite effect, but generally if you finish within an hour or two of hitting the hay, you should be okay.





-------------------------
 Ginger

To know how to say what others only know how to think is what makes men poets or sages; and to dare to say what others only dare to think makes men martyrs or
reformers - or both. Elizabeth Charles

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postscript2
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Tuesday November 18, 2008 7:30 PM

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Thanks Ginger and Steve!

I think I read that article on "Yahoo." AND according to the article, I'm breaking all the rules!!!

Geez--I close out all of the lights in the AM and it makes me sleep longer. Have the bedroom "free" of TV, books, etc. and that part of the article I do agree with! Yes, I am a "midnight snacker," and yes, guilty of shutting out the lights... The room is full of oceanic pictures, oil paintings, sea shells, soft colors and overwhelmingly comfortable bed and bedding...

I guess I could "change" up and put up pink and green polka dots for curtains and a bright orange bedspread, with the cheapest of "sandy" sheets, so that I don't sleep well and will force my "butt" outa bed! (JUST KIDDING-NOT A CHANCE!!!)

When I was working, the weekends were my "time" to sleep in. AND YES, the light does "piss me off," when all I want to do is sleep

None the less, great advise from everyone and I truly appreciate all of the responses!!!

Thanks a million and have a great day/night--

LCS

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Loislane
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Tuesday November 18, 2008 8:10 PM

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Les,

I set an alarm and got up every morning at 7 am. I acted like I had a full time job. I went to the law library every day, to research for my case. A year after my injury I started back to school. My Doc was not real keen on the idea, initially, until I showed him that I could get assisitance through the disabilty resources dept at the school.

I had an ortho chair, a note taker(after my surgery), and was able to get up at will. After my hand healed, i ended up being a note taker for a wonderful young man with cerebral palsy. Can you take any classes, at a JC, or even online? Even if you have to take finger painting and advanced pot holders on red looms, it will help. (Remember the pot holders?) Can you volunteer? I did a lot of volunteering, after my injury. If you have a local Volunteer Center call them.

You can trick your mind into a semblance of normalcy. Honestly. You have to go through the motions, however to do it. The first few weeks when i started getting up at 7, i was bored out of my skull. I went to the craft store and bought a few acrylic paints and ceramic pots. I stuck a paint brush in my cast, and painted away!! Turns out i was pretty good at it. Folks wanted to buy my flower pots!

If you will make a concerted effort to do these things, i promise you, you will start to feel 100% better in a few weeks.

You can email me: SwearToRudy@aol.com, if u need any more ideas, or feel like venting!
And, do you have a dog?? I recently got two. And, they didn't understand the concept of daylight savings. They want to pee at 7! SO, i am forced to get up at 7, at least until the clocks change again!!

Lois

Edited: Tuesday November 18, 2008 at 8:15 PM by Loislane

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gaiassoul1@yahoo.com
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Wednesday November 19, 2008 6:34 PM

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something I did not remember...I too agree with Lois, having somewhere to go early morning is a huge incentive, I found a community center that offered all the Tai Chi you could stand for $15....and I got used to my classmates, so I looked forward to going.

It seems like once you get up and get moving in a positive fashion and structure your day, then it is easier to redo the sleep study....so total agreement with Lois on this.

My tai chi class members worried about me when I was not there, so even if I was just sidelining and doing as much as I could I still went for the community.....

Great idea!

-------------------------
 Ginger

To know how to say what others only know how to think is what makes men poets or sages; and to dare to say what others only dare to think makes men martyrs or
reformers - or both. Elizabeth Charles

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postscript2
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Thursday November 20, 2008 1:26 PM

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Thanks ladies!

Great ideas and I'll try some-don't know what tai chi is though? Anyway, the more I think about it, this all started happening, including the recurrent depression when I started weaning off the Norco.

I was more on tract after the surgery than I am now. I was full of energy about 3 wks post sx and I had to get up to take the meds anyway 24/7, so I'd just stay up. Now I've cut them in half over the last 6 weeks and I'm paying for it, big time--A bit off subject, but I just realized the connection.

Hopefully, I can find something to fill my time/days with. It would be a lot easier if I could drive! I just don't feel like I have the range of motion in my neck yet. When I can start driving again, I think things will change.

Thanks again for your kindness and considerate input!

LCS

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