Oxycodone and Insomnia

I had my gallbladder removed Wednesday and have been on Oxycodone since Wednesday night.  For some reason it started affecting my sleep yesterday.  I tried laying down for a nap but could not sleep.  I slept an hour or two last night.  When I try to go to sleep my thoughts start racing and I just cant sleep.  I really could use some sleep.  Help.

[marycarmel]

If oxycodone is causing this side effect, you may want to ask your doctor for another medication ... or maybe he'll add a sleep aid. You can also try some all-natural things like Melatonin or Alteril.  When I first was given oxycodone, it would knock me out, but after I was on it for a while, I found that it disrupted my sleep.  I'd be exhausted, but my mind would be racing.  Sleep is important to healing as well!

[HurtinAlot]

Normal reaction.  If you can take a hot shower and/or drink something warm and then get into bed in as relaxed a state as you can get in (considering you just had surgery - which is tough) might just be the push you need to slide into sleep mode.  Trying an over the counter sleep aid should help too.  Eventually you will sleep...your mind will have to shut down.  Might take a couple of days though.  But try the above suggestions......good luck.  Let us know how it goes.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Bethy,

I too think this is a fairly common side effect. My short acting opiate will cause me some insomnia at times if I take it close to bedtime. The problem is we often need to reduce our pain to sleep.

I agree that trying some relaxing, routines may help you sleep. I wouldn't get into a sleep medication at this point. Some warm tea, there are several that claim they aid in relaxation and sleep... a warm bath or shower, a quiet dark room and so on may be benifical. I find a short massage from my husband is also helpful... whatever works for you.

Of course you may want to contact your Physician or your Pharmacist. I hope you'll soon be sleeping well.

Peace,
~Tuck

[femmy29]

I too had my gall bladder taken out in December.  For post surgical gall bladder surgery pain, they usually give you only about 20 percocet or oxycodone (w/o tylenol) as the pain from gall bladder surgery usually only lasts 2-3 weeks.  If you also have chronic pain along with gall bladder surgery pain and have been taking opioids prior to surgery, they will sometimes give you 40 oxycodone or percocet.

I would be careful about adding sleep aids to help you sleep, especially if you weren't taking them before you had your gall bladder removed as they can interact dangerously with the anesthesia medicines that are still in your system.

Oxycodone is a synthetic opioid analgesic that is derived from the opiate, thebaine.  Thebaine is a compond of the poppy plant that actually increases energy and mental alertness.  Versus the other opiates, codeine and morphine, have sedative properties.

Since you will be taking oxycodone in the short term, I would try to sleep whenever you can even if it is not through the night.  If you wake up in the middle of the night, leave the bedroom and go read a book or magazine.  I would hope that you are on disability leave and not under the demand of having to wake up to go to work so sleeping during the day is a possibility???  Laying with our eyes open in bed usually makes sleep more of an illusion.  You can try chamomile (sp?) tea.  I would also say a hot bath but you can't take one until 1 month post-op so a hot shower before bed may relax you enough to get you to sleep.  

The worst pain typically lasts only about a week, at which time, you will probably be okay going to sleep without the oxycodone.

femmy

[bethy67]

I did contact the PA who advised me to discontinue the Oxycodone and try 800 mg of Ibuprofen.  We'll see how this works.  He said at this point I need something to reduce inflammation.  Thanks for your replies.

[Tuckamore]

Thanks for adding the good information that neglected to provide.

You are correct. Thebaine has the properties that you named. However this happens to me with other opiates too.... it's just how my system responds to the medications.

Thanks Again,
~tuck

[femmy29]

Hi Tuck,

You are so welcome.  And you are right, despite the pharmacological facts of opioids, many experience paradoxical effects.  

You always provide such great info and support to many of us here.  Your comments are always on point and appreciated.  I just realized I repeated many of our suggestions.  I get to typing and off I go...lol!

Thanks.

femmy :)