sleep / sensitivity to smells

[brybry76]

Hello,

Post-op, has anyone had trouble sleeping? Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep?

Also, I've noticed that my sense of smell has sharpened and that smells that didn't used to bother me, now really do. Anyone else experience this?

Thanks

[stefaski]

I just had surgery on January 9th and also had trouble with my sleep patterns (NEVER a problem before). My pre-surgery literature from the surgeon's office warned that sometimes the anesthesia could cause sleep pattern disruption.

I'm getting back on track by trying to stick to a schedule and minimizing cat naps, if possible. I also took a melatonin pill before bedtime last week - it may been only a placebo effect, but it did relax me and allowed me to fall asleep.

Good luck!

[Gail R]

My sense of smell was acute right after surgery. I couldn't stand the smell of anything! the hand sanitizer that the nurses used when enter the room make me nauseous. When I got home, people couldn't eat in the same room as me because it was intolerable. This only lasted a couple of weeks though. I have never heard of it lasting longer. My sense of taste was altered much longer.

[Girlrocker]

Yep, on both counts. Toss in metallic taste in my mouth too. This is all early post-op recovery ick and will go away, promise

[reinventingangela]

Im not a post op but I have read several posts about people having a heightened sense of smell and being more intolerant to smells after surgery. I particularly notice these posts because Im already really sensitive to smell, and I wondered if that would make me more likely to have even more "smell" issues AFTER surgery...especially concerning protein drinks...so my curious question to you is: Were you always sensitive to smell or did you have an easy gag reflex prior to surgery?

My sister drinks protein drinks when she diets sometimes and when Ive been at her house and go to stick something in the dishwasher, Ive had to hurl in the trashcan immediately because of the gaggy smell of her rancid protein drink cups in the dishwasher...eck! Kinda makes me wonder how Im gonna get my protein in post-op lol.

Anyway, most people say the sensitivity subsides so maybe just wait it out. If you can tolerate the smell of vicks vaporub - you might try rubbing a tiny bit under your nose and it will pretty much drown out the smell of everything else around you. Ive had to do this myself when showing run down properties with cat pee and other smells trapped in the carpet in 100 degree weather to keep from throwing up in front of customers (which has also happened plenty of times lol).

Wishing you a speedy recovery and a good nights sleep!

[California Poppy]

Yes, to both!

I wondered if the sleeplessness was a side effect of B vitamins, so I started taking them earlier in the day, but it made no difference. I'm still up between 2-4 most mornings (ugh). Just this morning I bought The Republic of Tea's "get some zzz's" herbal tea blend, and I plan to try it tonight - I'll let you know if it works for me.

I don't have any advice for you re: the hyper-acute sense of smell (except to avoid the offensive odors). I empathize though; for me it was nearly unbearable at first (causing really strong nausea). The good news is that it has diminished somewhat at this point (four months post-op); I hope it'll get better for you soon, too.

[Kyra]

I definitely still have both a greater sensitivity to smell and sleep problems. At first some smells made me nearly gag. That is better, but I'm still super sensitive to how things smell.

I had problems getting to sleep before, but it changed a little post-op. While it's gotten better, I still have trouble falling asleep but now I also wake up and can't get back to sleep. I have a prescription for ambien (as I did pre-op) but I don't like to use it daily. I've had some success with melatonin and valerian supplements.

I hope your sleep returns to normal soon.

[smscott7]

The smell sensitivity is very common. It did get better for me.

[Sam]

I agree with those above! My sleep pattern is still all kinds of wacky. I used to be able to sleep for a good solid 8-9 hours and now I am lucky if I get 6!

As for the smells, I had a terrible time! I have a neighbor who cooks lots of curry and onions and I seriously thought I was going to have to move!! lol Now, at 3 months post op, some things bother me here and there but I don't notice the smells nearly as much. Just have patience....and citrus! I kept lemon peel in a baggie in my purse, I used citrus cleaners in my apartment (just for the smell; things didn't need to be cleaned that much!) and I even had a strong lemon candle. Orange and lemon scents both calmed my nausea, although after about 2 weeks of use, they wore off too.

[brybry76]

Well, I'm glad I'm not unique (ha ha!) I had a sharp sense of smell before surgery, but was much less likely to be nauseous and gag like I am now.

As for the rancid protein drink, how can something smell so bad so fast?!?!

I have definitely been burning candles WAY more than I ever did before.

Thanks for the reassurance everyone

[reinventingangela]

Actually I found out it wasnt a protein drink it was some kidney cleanse drink thing she was doing that week and it was rancid smelling just a day or two after putting the cups in the dishwasher...

I was really relieved to hear this because Ive never tasted a protein drink and I was afraid I was never gonna be able to get them down...good thing I mentioned my fear to her so she could let me know it wasnt the protein drink that stunk so bad lol.

[crazyheifer]

At first I had HORRIBLE sleeping issues. However, I am 10 weeks out and I sleep just fine now. I am still tired in the day, so sometimes I nap, but I still sleep well.

As for the smell, oh yes...it's like pregnancy all over again. Heightened sense of smell and also the nausea that accompanies it. My husband also has it (we had surgery together). No advice though accept keep on keeping on.

[Brandilynn]

I also had sleep issues after surgery, but ANY TIME I had been on a very low calorie diet I have had sleep issues, so I just figured that was part of the issue, took my melatonin as per usual and slept as well as I could.

I *still* get the bionic nose at 2.5ish years out. My mama has had the bionic nose as long as I can remember, and so I wonder if its a hormonal thing for me. *shrug*

[Sandra C.]

Sleep solutions:
I take Tylenol PM, which is Benedril. The least expensive version of this is Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride. I buy it at Sams. Its an antihistamine. 2 tabs at bedtime help me drift off to sleep within 20 min. for a full 7-8 hrs. Otherwise I can't get to sleep till 2-3 AM, sleeping for 3-4 hrs a night. It doesn't help to have my dog wake me at 6 AM for his morning walk!!!

Try it the first time when you have a day off the next day in case you are still sleepy. I don't have any residual effects the next day, but my husband does. A 1/2 dose may be all you need.

Many protein products have chocolate. Having chocolate close to bedtime can keep you awake. I tried " Sleepy Time Tea", and using lavender scented products to relax, suggested by my psychologist. These didn't work to increase my sleep time, compared to the Benedril.

We also used Tylenol PM for my mom to help her sleep, and tone down the effects of Alzheimer's mood swings. She was happy and well rested, used it for years, every day. Followed the suggested dose on the bottle. Worked way better than any of her Alz. meds.

Be sure to clear the use of any" over the counter" meds with your doctor before taking them.

Sandra ;-)

[Deleted]

Feb 1, 2012 8:21:04 GMT -5 Sandra C. said:

Sleep solutions:
I take Tylenol PM, which is Benedril. The least expensive version of this is Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride. I buy it at Sams. Its an antihistamine. 2 tabs at bedtime help me drift off to sleep within 20 min. for a full 7-8 hrs. Otherwise I can't get to sleep till 2-3 AM, sleeping for 3-4 hrs a night. It doesn't help to have my dog wake me at 6 AM for his morning walk!!!

Try it the first time when you have a day off the next day in case you are still sleepy. I don't have any residual effects the next day, but my husband does. A 1/2 dose may be all you need.

Many protein products have chocolate. Having chocolate close to bedtime can keep you awake. I tried " Sleepy Time Tea", and using lavender scented products to relax, suggested by my psychologist. These didn't work to increase my sleep time, compared to the Benedril.

We also used Tylenol PM for my mom to help her sleep, and tone down the effects of Alzheimer's mood swings. She was happy and well rested, used it for years, every day. Followed the suggested dose on the bottle. Worked way better than any of her Alz. meds.

Be sure to clear the use of any" over the counter" meds with your doctor before taking them.

Sandra ;-)

I am going to get up in your business to remind you and anyone reading that if you are already taking another Tylenol product, you may want to just take generic Benadryl for sleep issues. Too much Tyylenol is horrible for your liver and rapid weight loss also strains your liver. Just an FYI.