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fentanyl sleep deprivation
About 2 months ago I had anesthesia with fentanyl. They gave me 4 times the dose of what I was suppose to have- 100 lb. woman. I am having severe sleep deprivation from this, night sweats and the shakes. How do I get my sleep habits back? I am waking up every hour! I am due to have surgery in a few days and am afraid that I am going to wake up during the procedure. I need help, what do i do?
Thank you!
Thank you!
I know the feeling!
I'm glad you got some good sleep last night! The feeling of waking up after a restful night is the best.
I know you said you have tried everything, but have you tried putting the pill on the very back of your toung, opening your throat as wide as you can, tilting your head back a little and drinking a big enough sip to where you cant feel it going down. If you dont think about it its a little easier. As soon as you think about what your doing you'll more than likely gag. Just look at it as drinking something.
I know how annoying it is to have that problem with pills. It makes taking anything impossible and you end up suffering with things because you cant take anything to stop it.
But at least you did get the xanax down. I still have problems swallowing pills sometimes because I have to do it twice or more a day.
Just keep trying. The worst that will happen is that it ends up in the sink or on the floor.
I hope you keep getting restful sleep
TMA
I'm glad you got some good sleep last night! The feeling of waking up after a restful night is the best.
I know you said you have tried everything, but have you tried putting the pill on the very back of your toung, opening your throat as wide as you can, tilting your head back a little and drinking a big enough sip to where you cant feel it going down. If you dont think about it its a little easier. As soon as you think about what your doing you'll more than likely gag. Just look at it as drinking something.
I know how annoying it is to have that problem with pills. It makes taking anything impossible and you end up suffering with things because you cant take anything to stop it.
But at least you did get the xanax down. I still have problems swallowing pills sometimes because I have to do it twice or more a day.
Just keep trying. The worst that will happen is that it ends up in the sink or on the floor.
I hope you keep getting restful sleep
TMA
I have never been able to swallow pills and still can't. I have tried everything including the little mini m+m's to no avail. I seem to have a bad gag reflex. They gave me propofol the second time. I have had verso and zofran from the first procedure with the fentanyl. The doctor told me that the fentanyl has been gone from my system and prescribed me some xanax for anxiety for my surgery this week. I was able to sleep all night last night, the first time since june 4th. ( It felt good!) I was able to open up my throat and pop it down and drank some water.
My dad was like 50 before he could swallow pills. My sister can swallow big huge pills 4 to a time so we are totally different. I will remember the ice cream trick. It is a real pain not to be able to swallow pills considering I can swallow food no problem. I will never have another colonoscopy. I know it is not suppose to be a bad experience. Everything bad just always happens to me. Thanks for everyones help!
My dad was like 50 before he could swallow pills. My sister can swallow big huge pills 4 to a time so we are totally different. I will remember the ice cream trick. It is a real pain not to be able to swallow pills considering I can swallow food no problem. I will never have another colonoscopy. I know it is not suppose to be a bad experience. Everything bad just always happens to me. Thanks for everyones help!
I used to have a problem with swallowing pills. I dont know why you cant swallow them, for me it was some type of anxiety I had.
Every time I would they would end up in the back of my throat and I'd just throw them up because I couldnt get them down.
I used to cut them up into really tiny pieces and swallow them one by one.
But then someone told me to put the pill in some ice cream or somethig I could swallow without chewing too much. It took a little practice but it worked really well when I finally got a sysytem going for myself. Eventually I was able to do it without the ice cream.
As I said, I'm dont know why you arent able to swallow them, but maybe you want to try that if you have anxiety about swallowing them also.
TMA
Every time I would they would end up in the back of my throat and I'd just throw them up because I couldnt get them down.
I used to cut them up into really tiny pieces and swallow them one by one.
But then someone told me to put the pill in some ice cream or somethig I could swallow without chewing too much. It took a little practice but it worked really well when I finally got a sysytem going for myself. Eventually I was able to do it without the ice cream.
As I said, I'm dont know why you arent able to swallow them, but maybe you want to try that if you have anxiety about swallowing them also.
TMA
Actually, fentanyl as an anesthesia med is pretty common - particularly for procedures requiring "twilight anesthesia" rather than general anesthesia, like colonoscopy and endoscopy. It's one of the faster metabolized drugs available, which is why it's fairly popular. The latest and greatest med for twilight anesthesia is propofol, but I don't think it's yet reached widespread use. BIG difference with that medication, so ask about that if you have to have another scope done. It doesn't last nearly as long as other meds. Also make sure to ask for zofran. It'll keep you from throwing up due to anesthesia.
The fentanyl is long gone from your system by now, so your insomnia is coming from somewhere else. Night sweats and shakes can even be a result of hormone imbalance, similar to what women go through before menopause. Over-the-counter melatonin is a really good sleep aid, and you won't have any addiction worries with it like you'd have with a prescription sleep aid. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can crush them and wash them down with water. No doubt it'll taste bad, but it's an option.
The fentanyl is long gone from your system by now, so your insomnia is coming from somewhere else. Night sweats and shakes can even be a result of hormone imbalance, similar to what women go through before menopause. Over-the-counter melatonin is a really good sleep aid, and you won't have any addiction worries with it like you'd have with a prescription sleep aid. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can crush them and wash them down with water. No doubt it'll taste bad, but it's an option.
It has not been mentioned but could your lack of sleep be due to the stress of the surgery and the one coming up? Maybe your afraid of not having sufficient anesthesia and fear it may not work well enough and that is interfering with your sleep.
Just a thought, if you feel uncomfortable about this surgery discuss it thoroughly with your surgeon.
Just a thought, if you feel uncomfortable about this surgery discuss it thoroughly with your surgeon.
I want to step in here I think I can clear this up a little. When doctors sedate women mainly that are often younger (not seniors) and don't weigh much they often have a very hard time keeping us sedated adequately. I have been told that we are the toughest population for them to not only sedate but keep sedated at an appropriate level to get through a procedure. Giving that much extra is not unusual I always have to have it and it is always mentioned to me. I just don’t happen to get nauseous from it which is good. Tuck mentioned that this use of fentanyl is not common. I have not found that to be the case I have always been given fentanyl. It often depends on the region you live in what drugs are currently popular for use in anesthesia.
Thank you for your kind help and information. I cannot swallow pills unfortunately. I am waiting to hear from my Dr. at this very minute. I am trying to talk to her before my next surgery on Tues. I take a shower right before bed and go to bed the same time every night and only for sleep no tv, etc. My body is very tired before bed but it seems like I can only "nap" now. When I do nap during the day (only about 4 times since June 4) I wake up very bad, so I try not to nap. This is the most frustrating thing I have ever encountered. I do not know how other people cope. I am only 45. I hope this does not last forever. At 100 lbs., no sleep and night sweating is not a good thing. It takes a toll on the body and I cannot afford to loose any weight. I lost 8 lbs just getting sick like that and cannot gain it back. Where I live it the air has been really hot on top of things. I am sure my Dr. will call me back before tues. I just wanted to know how other people get their "internal clocks reset". Thanks.
After the initial dose of the medication leaves your system I'm not sure there is any way to stop the side effects except to let them run there course.
Have you asked about taking a sleep aid like ambien for a week to help your sleep cycle become regulated again. Or asking them even about over the counter sleep aids?
Make sure you go to bed at the same time each night. Try a cup or two of chamomile tea half an hour before you get into bed. Dont lie down in your bed to watch TV or read. Make it only to go to bed so your body will know when you get into bed its time to sleep.
You can help your body get tired by taking a warm bath with lavander and spraying your bed sheets with a lavander linen spray. There not sure why warm milk help sleep as tryptophan only helps with the initial cycle of sleep but can disrupt deep sleep, but you may want to try it to help you get to sleep initially just only drink a small glass. There is something called Lactium in milk which relaxes infants but there is an all natural medication called dreamerz food that contains a consentrated amount of Lactium(enough for an adult) along with melatonin that has gotten alot of great attention.
You can also look into taking melatonin by itself which can help with insominia and is great because you can stop the effects if you dont like them just by turning on the light.
Its all about resetting your clock so your body gets back into its regular cycle.
Just make sure you talk to your DR about about helping you get back to getting restful sleep. I know how frustrating it can be to wake up every hour. And I hope you can find a way to stop that from happening.
TMA
Have you asked about taking a sleep aid like ambien for a week to help your sleep cycle become regulated again. Or asking them even about over the counter sleep aids?
Make sure you go to bed at the same time each night. Try a cup or two of chamomile tea half an hour before you get into bed. Dont lie down in your bed to watch TV or read. Make it only to go to bed so your body will know when you get into bed its time to sleep.
You can help your body get tired by taking a warm bath with lavander and spraying your bed sheets with a lavander linen spray. There not sure why warm milk help sleep as tryptophan only helps with the initial cycle of sleep but can disrupt deep sleep, but you may want to try it to help you get to sleep initially just only drink a small glass. There is something called Lactium in milk which relaxes infants but there is an all natural medication called dreamerz food that contains a consentrated amount of Lactium(enough for an adult) along with melatonin that has gotten alot of great attention.
You can also look into taking melatonin by itself which can help with insominia and is great because you can stop the effects if you dont like them just by turning on the light.
Its all about resetting your clock so your body gets back into its regular cycle.
Just make sure you talk to your DR about about helping you get back to getting restful sleep. I know how frustrating it can be to wake up every hour. And I hope you can find a way to stop that from happening.
TMA
Please talk to your Physician, I'm sure they can help you. It sounds like a horrible thing to go thru. Good luck with everything.
It was a one time use with amnesia medication for a colonoscopy.I am only 100 lbs and they told me used 4 times the amount to keep me asleep I ended up in the ER vomitting for 18 hours off this they had to abort the procedure and had to go back the next day for "local" anesthesia. I just want to know how to get this out of my system so I can get my sleep back. It is driving me crazy. I have discussed it with my next surgeon and he said they will not use it. Is there anything I can do to get it out and help me sleep. I do not recommend this drug for anyone and it seems to be the new anesthesia drug.
I agree with Tuck. Talk with your Sugeon and Dr. and tell them your concerns with the use of Fentanyl. It is a very strong medication and there are many alternatives that the surgeon can use. Again, take care. Molly
Hi Iamhere. Sorry for your problems with Fentanyl. I use it on a daily basis. I did not quite understand your question. You only had the Fentanyl once for Anesthesia? I know that some of the side effects include sweats and sleep deprivation that can last up to 6 wks. but have not heard of this after a one time use. Have you consulted your pcp?, Molly
Why did they use fentanyl for anesthesia instead of a more traditional method? And must they use this again? I would discuss your fears with your surgeon. If you are not comfortable with him all your PCP. When you are "under" anesthesia they monitor you VS continously. They are able to determine if you are not completely sedated and will provide additional anesthesia should this happen, which is rare contrary to the media. I wish you all the best. Tuck
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