Insomnia Since Surgery

[Zisel]

I had  hip replacement surgery three months ago.  In the last month or so I have  been troubled by insomnia.  I wake up most nights after a couple of hours of sleep.  I have no pain or discomfort.  Several patients at the physical therapist who had hip or knee surgery had similar experiences.  One woman who had knee surgery six months ago is still experiencing insomnia.  Is there a connection between the surgery and insomnia and how can it be treated?  I do not want to take any medications.  Thank you.

[namnam46]

Hi Zisel!  I want to join Tuck in welcoming you to our Forum, also!  :)

Tuck is ABSOLUTELY correct in what she told you about problems with sleeping after implant surgeries!  I should know as I have had 3 hip implants on my left hip and I'm going to be undergoing a 1st time hip implant on my right hip on October 28th.  So I'll be joining you in your sleepless nights for awhile after my surgery. So you won't be alone.  :)   Now everyone is different but eventually I get back to a regular sleep pattern.  Now I have multiple pain issues such as DDD (Degenerative Disc Disease ) over my entire spine that can add to my problems.  However, once I wake up I can now close my eyes and get back to sleep.  I hope that you will eventually get to where you will be able to do this also.  

Tuck, being a nurse, gave you some excellent suggestions to help relax you a little without becoming habit forming.  

By the way, how is your new hip doing?  I hope it's doing as well as my hip plants have done.  :)  Just so you don't worry, my 1st implant was when I was 35 yrs old and lasted for 26 years!  :)   The replacement hip was put in incorrectly and had to be replaced within 5 years and the replacement is just as good as the very 1st one was. Thank heavens!  :)

I wish you the very best and look forward to your updates.        ............   Sherry  :)
        

[Tuckamore]

Hi Ziesel,

Welcome to our Pain Management Community. I'm delighted you found us and took the time to post a new question. I'm not delighted to read that you too are having issues with sleep - post hip replacement.

It appears to be a common consensus that patients have difficulty sleeping after undergoing a joint replacement. In my humble opinion, yes there is a connection. I'm sorry that I don't know what that connection actually is. It may be a multitude of reasons. I'm glad to know that you aren't having pain.

Have you discussed your sleepless nites with your PCP? He/She may know the reasons - or at least have better answers.

I can offer you some of the usual and customary ideas that are said to help with sleep - but I can't explain why insomnia sometimes plagues joint replacement patients. Sorry my dear, I wish I could.

I do a lot of reading and researching joint replacements - if I come across an answer to your questions I'll be sure to post it. I can find several medical web-sites that attest to this insomnia post joint replacements - but not one of them are providing a reason. Non-prescription remedies such as Benadryl or Melatonin may be effective in aiding a new sleep pattern or at least begin the routine again.

I wish you a restful nites sleep - real soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I'll look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Peace,
~Tuck

[ScalpMassager]

Waking up in the middle of the night in the absence of pain is suggestive of an anxiety condition or restless mood,  I don't think it's directly related to your surgery.

Developing more of a pre-bedtime routine may be helpful, eg. reduce stimulation such as TV watching/PC use, perhaps try a half glass of warm milk and a small plain cookie just before bedtime, try to avoid late evening exposure to 'blue' light sources (fluorescents, CFLs -- incandescent light's o.k.) having a warm bath just before bedtime may help you enter a deeper sleep, etc.