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Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 7:43 am
by debbluebird
My husband finally had surgery on his neck and a month later lower back. It seems that those were the areas that the spinal fluid was being blocked. It has been several months. He is a little better but still has pain. There is no nerve damage. Maybe by next summer he will be a little better. We finished the house.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 2:23 pm
by Polar Bear
Happy to hear that your DHs surgery is safely over and hope that his pain eases eventually.

Reading back over this thread and the matter of sleeping - where you said that your room was too small for twin beds. Views was saying that she'd consider twin beds put together. I would also like that.
However, with your lack of space, what about two small singles pushed together. I think they measure 2'6" wide which would equate to 5' wide, but with two separate mattresses which could be memory foam. Individual beds but 'up close' .... such a shame to have to consider separate rooms.
(Even though I on occasion spend a few hours in another room)

Just wonder how you are managing your sleeping arrangements at present so that you both cope.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 4:53 pm
by debbluebird
We are sleeping so much better. The main bedroom would not fit two single beds. We wouldn't be able to walk into the room or get to the closet. I've got my room all set up. I have my sewing and painting in there too. Of course I can only have one thing out at a time. He is actually sleeping at night instead of during the day.
I am hoping with a few more months his pain will get better. But also he is going to try a drug holiday so his receptors will reset.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2015 6:11 pm
by Polar Bear
So nice to hear that you are sleeping, sounds like you have a lovely little den for yourself :)

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2015 4:12 am
by ViewsAskew
You go! House is done, both of you are doing better. Must feel nice to catch a bit of a break finally.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:36 am
by debbluebird
Well, tonight I am wide awake, but my legs are quiet. I've been trying to lose weight, as usual for several months. For the last couple of weeks I was eating 400 to 500 more calories than I really wanted to. Before that it's been up and down, but I have been loosing weight. So yesterday I ate pretty much what I should, finally. But I have been so wired tonight. Feels like I've had caffeine, but I haven't.
I hope tomorrow night will be better. Good news, my legs are in a good period. I've lost 20 pounds so far. More to go.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 10:21 pm
by Polar Bear
You are at - 20 pounds..... whoop whoop ... well done !

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 3:02 am
by debbluebird
I mostly feel really good. I am more active and seem to have the food a little more under control. It's nice to be off medication that causes weight gain. I had no idea at the time. I just thought I was gaining.
I'd like to loose 50 more.
I am so tired tonight, from not sleeping last night. Hope tonight is better. At least my legs are still good for now.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 5:50 am
by ViewsAskew
Great news!

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:24 am
by debbluebird
Lately I've been getting itchy after 3 am. I thought maybe it was my Methadone, since higher doses will do that. Tonight I only took 10 mg instead of 15 mg. I'm still itchy. It's not the RLS sensation I sometimes get in my arms that sort of feels itchy. This is different. Definately itchy all over.
I'm also been having the alertness after 3 am without the RLS for a couple of hours. This doesn't bother me so much, since I am sleeping before and afterwards. The itchyness bothers me more.
I'm also making a significant effort to stop all sugar intake, including eating foods that are supposed to reduce inflammation. I've tried to do this before, but ths time I am succeeding. I really feel that inflammation contributes to my RLS and PLMS.
I will see how it all progresses during the next few days and nights.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:10 pm
by debbluebird
I'm pretty sure the itchyness is from the Methadone. It only happens after I take my third dose of the 5 mg tablets. It only lasts for the remainder of the night. By morning it's gone. If this gets worse I don't know what I will do. My RLS /PLMs returned after a few nights of the reduced dose of Methadone.
I also get the same thing from Morphine and Oxycodone, if I take more than one. It feels the same. I am very sensitive to medications. It is different from the RLS itchy feeling I get in my arms sometimes.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 5:36 am
by ViewsAskew
Oddly, the itchiness I get with it seems to come and go. Sometimes it's terrible, othertimes not.

I can take one of the newer antihistamines, though, and it really helps.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 11:42 am
by debbluebird
Which ones ?

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 6:44 am
by ViewsAskew
I think it's Zyrtec...It was my husband's script for allergies and I was desperate when I first started taking methadone. The first few weeks, for me, were horrible. The itching was so bad I was sure the doc was going to tell me to stop. I was so glad he didn't. But, I couldn't tolerate it - I was scared to take the Zyrtec, but it was so bad I had to do something...and it worked! After a time, the itching stopped. Once in awhile it comes back - very odd - and then I use the Zyrtec again.

Recently, though, I am pretty sure I used Allegra and I was OK.

Some people are still bothered by the newer antihistamines - I appear not to be.

Re: Sleepless In America

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 12:04 am
by debbluebird
Thank you