Insomnia

As my GI problems get worse, my insomnia does too. I think it is because it is harder for me to "relax" knowing I'll probably have to get up and go to the bathroom or deal with some kind of abdominal pain. But maybe I am just an insomniac and it is not related. Does anyone else have sleeping problems and do you think they are related to colon stuff?

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katie
23
diagnosed with cecal volvulus, 2006; two colon resections in the same year
diagnosed with colitis 2007
malrotated colon
no cecal valve, removed during surgery
gastritis

VSL #3
Amitriptyline to slow gastric emptying
Forvia
compazine

I have chronic isomnia (going on 6 years) but I never went for any sleep studies yet - which might be in my future. I don't feel it's related to my Uc but due to stress. I am now able to sleep every other night or so without the sleep aids because my stress level has decreased significantly in the past 3 months.

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thanks for the response, red (as you can tell i'm wide awake at good 'ol 4 in the morning!!) what sleep aids have worked for you. i've tried everything from ambien (which does nothing for me) to NyQuil (i know, baaaaad) which only works for a few hours. do you have any suggestions??

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katie
23
diagnosed with cecal volvulus, 2006; two colon resections in the same year
diagnosed with colitis 2007
malrotated colon
no cecal valve, removed during surgery
gastritis

VSL #3
Amitriptyline to slow gastric emptying
Forvia
compazine

Oh I have tons of tips for insomnia! :) Because I use them all! lol I've used Ambien too but it started making me do weird things which scared me so I stopped them. It worked great for me though eventually it stopped working as well so the doc prescribed Ambien CR (I think it was CR) but my insurance doesn't cover the extended release. There are other prescription sleep aids you can try such as Lunesta or R......can't think of the name of this one. Right now I use Tylonel Simply Sleep and it works good for me. I can use it and wake up in the middle of the night if needed and it doesn't give me that hungover feeling.

Some tips: Sleep in a dark cool room, not cold. Have a fan in the background for white noise - this will take some getting used to if you're not used to noise. Don't do anything to stimulate you at LEAST 2 hours before you go to bed, such as exercise, watching a thrilling movie etc. Do not drink any caffeine for at least 6 hours before you go to bed. Cut any liquids 2 hours before you go to sleep so you're not waking up having to urinate. Don't eat 2 hours before bed. No doing thing other then sleeping in your bed. Your bed is for sleeping only (well maybe for sex too) and if you read, watch tv, do work etc in your bed, your mind associates the bed for other things besides sleeping. If you like tea, you can drink Sleepytime Tea by Celestial Seasons. Hmmm that's it for now, I think.

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wow, thanks for the comprehensive list!! i am guilty of more than a few things (eating before bed, reading in bed, etc---too bad i'm not guilty of sex in bed...lol...everything BUT!!!) anyway, i will definitely try some of those tips. what i tend to do is get up and write--if nothing else writing (i write fiction and personal essays) makes me feel productive and i love the quiet of the early morning. i think that is part of my problem--there is some part of me that ENJOYS the very early morning...it is a messed up cycle, i know. thanks for the tips, though. and you'll always have a buddy on the forum early in the morning :)

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katie
23
diagnosed with cecal volvulus, 2006; two colon resections in the same year
diagnosed with colitis 2007
malrotated colon
no cecal valve, removed during surgery
gastritis

VSL #3
Amitriptyline to slow gastric emptying
Forvia
compazine