Re: tougher than I thought

[Guest guest]

Steph - Just a suggestion: try sleeping at a 45-degree angle, not

exactly sitting up but not flat on your back either. That should help

your stomach to settle down too. You may have to experiment by trying

to sleep almost sitting up and adjusting your pillow(s) to support

your whole back and neck. I sometimes sleep at that 45-degree angle

because it helps my back. Just a thought! Hope you get some sleep

soon! ~~ Diane

> Hey all,

>

> I haven't been able to post because I'm completely exhaused. The

> only reason I'm posting now is because i need some help. As you

know

> surgery was last Tuesday. did real well in recovery....more pain

> than I expected but that's tollerable. I can't eat either because

> I'm constantly sick to my stomach (probably related to one of the 8

> post-op medications I'm on) but I can handle that too.

>

> the thing I cannot handle very well is the fact that I have not had

> more than two hours of sleep any night since surgery. When I go to

> sleep I'm okay at first but then every thing in my throat/palate

area

> relaxes and I bolt awake feeling like I'm suffocating. Talked to

the

> doctor. It's not an alergic reaction to any meds because the

> sensation stops as soon as I sit fully upright. It's not

> that " clauster phobic " thing either since my husband and I have

> invented some very interresting gadgets to keep my swoolen lips

> parted so I can breathe through my teeth.

>

> While I'm glad the sensation stops I fear that the only way I will

> get some sleep is if I duct tape myself standing against the

> wall....which I'm just about willing to try at this point! Are

these

> just soft palate vibrations that will subside with healing?? Or

did

> I really screw up by having this done?? Crud...now I'm crying and

> that does wonders you all know!!

>

> Visiting surgeon tomorrow...just scared tonight and needed you.

> Steph.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the idea but I can't sleep at 45 degrees. If I go any

thing backward...beteen 0 and about 85 degrees I begin gagging. I

only have comfort completely upright or facing forward (sitting on

the couch cross legged facing the back of the sofa and leaning into

the back - which is not good since I just had my nose done too..and I

bump it when I do this)

other sugestions...please?? I'd desperate and very sleep

deprived...to the point where my ears are ringing constantly

> > Hey all,

> >

> > I haven't been able to post because I'm completely exhaused. The

> > only reason I'm posting now is because i need some help. As you

> know

> > surgery was last Tuesday. did real well in recovery....more pain

> > than I expected but that's tollerable. I can't eat either

because

> > I'm constantly sick to my stomach (probably related to one of the

8

> > post-op medications I'm on) but I can handle that too.

> >

> > the thing I cannot handle very well is the fact that I have not

had

> > more than two hours of sleep any night since surgery. When I go

to

> > sleep I'm okay at first but then every thing in my throat/palate

> area

> > relaxes and I bolt awake feeling like I'm suffocating. Talked to

> the

> > doctor. It's not an alergic reaction to any meds because the

> > sensation stops as soon as I sit fully upright. It's not

> > that " clauster phobic " thing either since my husband and I have

> > invented some very interresting gadgets to keep my swoolen lips

> > parted so I can breathe through my teeth.

> >

> > While I'm glad the sensation stops I fear that the only way I

will

> > get some sleep is if I duct tape myself standing against the

> > wall....which I'm just about willing to try at this point! Are

> these

> > just soft palate vibrations that will subside with healing?? Or

> did

> > I really screw up by having this done?? Crud...now I'm crying

and

> > that does wonders you all know!!

> >

> > Visiting surgeon tomorrow...just scared tonight and needed you.

> > Steph.

[Guest guest]

Please call your surgeon today and tell him/her about the stomach

problems and sleep issues.

For the stomach, it might mean you need to discontinue one of your

meds. I was given codeine, which made me nauseas, which I never get,

and once I stopped it, I was fine. I didn't need it at that point.

The surgeon may substitute a different med for whatever might be

causing the stomach problems.

As for sleep, there's nothing wrong with asking for something to

help you get to sleep. You won't become addicted in the short term.

Don't fret the not-sleeping, though, since that makes it worse. I've

had lots of sleep problems over the last 10 years, and found that

just accepting it is half the battle. Your body will eventually give

in and let you get some sleep. But as I said, there's nothing wrong

with asking for a little temporary help in the form of sleeping

pills.

Nowadays, I can sleep sitting upright, in the car, at the movie

theatre, even in lotus position while meditating (I realize it when

I start to topple over). You don't have to be inclined to fall

asleep, trust me!

Hang in there, talk to your surgeon, and know that things will get

better for you soon.

> > > Hey all,

> > >

> > > I haven't been able to post because I'm completely exhaused.

The

> > > only reason I'm posting now is because i need some help. As

you

> > know

> > > surgery was last Tuesday. did real well in recovery....more

pain

> > > than I expected but that's tollerable. I can't eat either

> because

> > > I'm constantly sick to my stomach (probably related to one of

the

> 8

> > > post-op medications I'm on) but I can handle that too.

> > >

> > > the thing I cannot handle very well is the fact that I have

not

> had

> > > more than two hours of sleep any night since surgery. When I

go

> to

> > > sleep I'm okay at first but then every thing in my

throat/palate

> > area

> > > relaxes and I bolt awake feeling like I'm suffocating. Talked

to

> > the

> > > doctor. It's not an alergic reaction to any meds because the

> > > sensation stops as soon as I sit fully upright. It's not

> > > that " clauster phobic " thing either since my husband and I

have

> > > invented some very interresting gadgets to keep my swoolen

lips

> > > parted so I can breathe through my teeth.

> > >

> > > While I'm glad the sensation stops I fear that the only way I

> will

> > > get some sleep is if I duct tape myself standing against the

> > > wall....which I'm just about willing to try at this point!

Are

> > these

> > > just soft palate vibrations that will subside with healing??

Or

> > did

> > > I really screw up by having this done?? Crud...now I'm crying

> and

> > > that does wonders you all know!!

> > >

> > > Visiting surgeon tomorrow...just scared tonight and needed you.

> > > Steph.

[Guest guest]

Steph,

I had the same palate crumbling sensation as you do and it scared

the living daylights out of me. Still get it sometimes and it wakes

me right up and then I can't get back to sleep. Ironically I was

able to get more sleep more during my first 5 days post-op than ever

since. The good news is that the palate crumbling sensation, at

least for me, got better and now at 14 days post-op seems almsot

gone. My surgeon told me that I was the first person to complain of

such a thing but assured me that it was normal. And yes sleeping

straight up does help although for some reason I keep on finding

myself with my back flat on the bed half way through the night. Hold

on just a little longer and it should start to get better. Talk

about it with your surgeon too and see what he says. And yes, it's

the meds making you feel sick. I had a really hard time gettig food

down. I'm just about getting back my appetite now only.

Thinking of you.

Sara

> Hey all,

>

> I haven't been able to post because I'm completely exhaused. The

> only reason I'm posting now is because i need some help. As you

know

> surgery was last Tuesday. did real well in recovery....more pain

> than I expected but that's tollerable. I can't eat either because

> I'm constantly sick to my stomach (probably related to one of the

8

> post-op medications I'm on) but I can handle that too.

>

> the thing I cannot handle very well is the fact that I have not

had

> more than two hours of sleep any night since surgery. When I go

to

> sleep I'm okay at first but then every thing in my throat/palate

area

> relaxes and I bolt awake feeling like I'm suffocating. Talked to

the

> doctor. It's not an alergic reaction to any meds because the

> sensation stops as soon as I sit fully upright. It's not

> that " clauster phobic " thing either since my husband and I have

> invented some very interresting gadgets to keep my swoolen lips

> parted so I can breathe through my teeth.

>

> While I'm glad the sensation stops I fear that the only way I will

> get some sleep is if I duct tape myself standing against the

> wall....which I'm just about willing to try at this point! Are

these

> just soft palate vibrations that will subside with healing?? Or

did

> I really screw up by having this done?? Crud...now I'm crying and

> that does wonders you all know!!

>

> Visiting surgeon tomorrow...just scared tonight and needed you.

> Steph.

[Guest guest]

Hi Steph, HUGS! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The waking

up and feeling like you're suffocating - sounds like sleep apnea. I

wake up like that often. (CPAP didn't work cause I couldn't get a mask

to fit). I'm having surgery on Thursday to hopefully correct it. Are

you on pain meds? Pain meds cause the pharnyx, etc muscles to relax

and can make it worse. If you're taking quite a bit of pain meds, try

cutting back.

Ask the surgeon for some meds for the nausea.

Discuss both problems with the surgeon today.

When you're feeling better I'd like to hear about what you improvised

to keep your mouth open. Who know I might need it this week, too.

We're thinking of you.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

Thank you ,

We called the doctor. he's in surgery untill my appointment. He

suggested that it may be a mucus related issue. since I am not

allowed to blow my nose he suggested that I try to " gather up the

mucus in my throat, cut my rubberbands, gargle with orange juice and

spit it all out through my mouth. Not an easy task when you've been

banded tightly for a week!! the throat closeing seems to have

subsided some. I'm going to thy my best to squeek in a nap before my

appointment. Wish me luck!

Steph.

> > > > Hey all,

> > > >

> > > > I haven't been able to post because I'm completely exhaused.

> The

> > > > only reason I'm posting now is because i need some help. As

> you

> > > know

> > > > surgery was last Tuesday. did real well in recovery....more

> pain

> > > > than I expected but that's tollerable. I can't eat either

> > because

> > > > I'm constantly sick to my stomach (probably related to one of

> the

> > 8

> > > > post-op medications I'm on) but I can handle that too.

> > > >

> > > > the thing I cannot handle very well is the fact that I have

> not

> > had

> > > > more than two hours of sleep any night since surgery. When I

> go

> > to

> > > > sleep I'm okay at first but then every thing in my

> throat/palate

> > > area

> > > > relaxes and I bolt awake feeling like I'm suffocating.

Talked

> to

> > > the

> > > > doctor. It's not an alergic reaction to any meds because the

> > > > sensation stops as soon as I sit fully upright. It's not

> > > > that " clauster phobic " thing either since my husband and I

> have

> > > > invented some very interresting gadgets to keep my swoolen

> lips

> > > > parted so I can breathe through my teeth.

> > > >

> > > > While I'm glad the sensation stops I fear that the only way I

> > will

> > > > get some sleep is if I duct tape myself standing against the

> > > > wall....which I'm just about willing to try at this point!

> Are

> > > these

> > > > just soft palate vibrations that will subside with healing??

> Or

> > > did

> > > > I really screw up by having this done?? Crud...now I'm

crying

> > and

> > > > that does wonders you all know!!

> > > >

> > > > Visiting surgeon tomorrow...just scared tonight and needed

you.

> > > > Steph.

[Guest guest]

Hey Steph,

I agree with the " sleep at 45 degree " suggestion. Do you have a recliner? That

would be a good way. Also, there are those " reading pillows " the things with

arms? You can get them at Target or Wal-Mart generally (I bought mine at

Goodwill and love to sit up in bed and read)

Hope you get some sleep! *connie hums.... " lullaby....and good night.... " *

Hugs, Connie

[Guest guest]

Steph

I used one of those reading pillows like Connie suggested. It was

really all I needed. Some times I would use another pillow along

with it. but it worked fine.

> Hey Steph,

>

> I agree with the " sleep at 45 degree " suggestion. Do you have a

recliner? That would be a good way. Also, there are those " reading

pillows " the things with arms? You can get them at Target or Wal-

Mart generally (I bought mine at Goodwill and love to sit up in bed

and read)

>

> Hope you get some sleep! *connie hums.... " lullaby....and good

night.... " *

>

> Hugs, Connie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Sara,

It's been a rough couple of days. I've seen the surgeon every day

this week. Luckly he is sympathetic and took time to prove to me

that I was going to be okay. The night time sensations were so

vivid, and my sleep deprivation was so severe that I told him that I

was afraid that if I fell asleep I might die of suffocation.

He took some x-rays, explained them to my husband and I. He had my

husband look at all of my throat structures to prove that there was

no swelling. I was sure that I was having anaphalaxis from the

penicillin or that I was the only person in the world who could end

up with sleep apnea as a result of this surgery. Tha brain sure can

play funny tricks on us sometimes.

After his convincing he perscribed a mild tranquilizer to help

alleviate the anxioty I was experiencing. He also told me that I can

sleep with out my rubberbands until this rough patch is over. I

actually got 14 hours of much needed sleep last night.

Things are looking better today...

Steph.

> > Hey all,

> >

> > I haven't been able to post because I'm completely exhaused. The

> > only reason I'm posting now is because i need some help. As you

> know

> > surgery was last Tuesday. did real well in recovery....more pain

> > than I expected but that's tollerable. I can't eat either

because

> > I'm constantly sick to my stomach (probably related to one of the

> 8

> > post-op medications I'm on) but I can handle that too.

> >

> > the thing I cannot handle very well is the fact that I have not

> had

> > more than two hours of sleep any night since surgery. When I go

> to

> > sleep I'm okay at first but then every thing in my throat/palate

> area

> > relaxes and I bolt awake feeling like I'm suffocating. Talked to

> the

> > doctor. It's not an alergic reaction to any meds because the

> > sensation stops as soon as I sit fully upright. It's not

> > that " clauster phobic " thing either since my husband and I have

> > invented some very interresting gadgets to keep my swoolen lips

> > parted so I can breathe through my teeth.

> >

> > While I'm glad the sensation stops I fear that the only way I

will

> > get some sleep is if I duct tape myself standing against the

> > wall....which I'm just about willing to try at this point! Are

> these

> > just soft palate vibrations that will subside with healing?? Or

> did

> > I really screw up by having this done?? Crud...now I'm crying

and

> > that does wonders you all know!!

> >

> > Visiting surgeon tomorrow...just scared tonight and needed you.

> > Steph.

[Guest guest]

Steph,

I am so glad to hear you got some sleep! I know the first few days

were rough that way for me too. I couldn't sleep for more than a few

hours at a time. I had the mucus problem in the back of my throat

too, and you are right, it was like suffocation. I'm glad to hear

you are doing better. Keep us posted, its all downhill from here,

right:-)?

> > > Hey all,

> > >

> > > I haven't been able to post because I'm completely exhaused.

The

> > > only reason I'm posting now is because i need some help. As

you

> > know

> > > surgery was last Tuesday. did real well in recovery....more

pain

> > > than I expected but that's tollerable. I can't eat either

> because

> > > I'm constantly sick to my stomach (probably related to one of

the

> > 8

> > > post-op medications I'm on) but I can handle that too.

> > >

> > > the thing I cannot handle very well is the fact that I have not

> > had

> > > more than two hours of sleep any night since surgery. When I

go

> > to

> > > sleep I'm okay at first but then every thing in my

throat/palate

> > area

> > > relaxes and I bolt awake feeling like I'm suffocating. Talked

to

> > the

> > > doctor. It's not an alergic reaction to any meds because the

> > > sensation stops as soon as I sit fully upright. It's not

> > > that " clauster phobic " thing either since my husband and I have

> > > invented some very interresting gadgets to keep my swoolen lips

> > > parted so I can breathe through my teeth.

> > >

> > > While I'm glad the sensation stops I fear that the only way I

> will

> > > get some sleep is if I duct tape myself standing against the

> > > wall....which I'm just about willing to try at this point! Are

> > these

> > > just soft palate vibrations that will subside with healing??

Or

> > did

> > > I really screw up by having this done?? Crud...now I'm crying

> and

> > > that does wonders you all know!!

> > >

> > > Visiting surgeon tomorrow...just scared tonight and needed you.

> > > Steph.