So my doc is happy with my progress.....but there's other stuff going on...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

I'm so tired, and it seems as though it's that way most of the time...I felt pretty good this morning, though, and did some laundry!

Sometimes it's so hard to sleep. But I have trouble turning my thoughts off...getting really relaxed takes effort, odd as that may seem...

I'm really not left-handed, so eating is strenuous. Even drinking my coffee is harder because the table I use is set up for right handed use...

And the nightmares. Every night, a different one...last night I dreamed that someone was going to kill me. I woke myself up and then I sat up because I was thinking as long as I sat up, they couldn't hurt me...

Luckily, my husband was awake, and he comforted me till I relaxed...

So, yes, I'm doing better........but it's weird.

[NYC_SKP]

1. No More Nightmares!!!

Get well soon, sweetie!

And I hope you just think of the ocean and all the other things in life that are beautiful when you go to bed.

It works for me.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear NYC_SKP!

They have been getting a bit less horrifying lately...

I like your ideas.......I'll give them a try.

[Archae]

3. Could the nightmares be from any medications?

I was given one called "toradol" once, made me horribly sick to my stomach and gave me nightmares.

I had to yell at a nurse to NOT give me anymore.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I'm thinking it might be the anesthesia, my dear Archae...

I think since it's only been a week since the surgery, maybe some of that lingers in the body...

I didn't have toradol, as far as I know...

[elleng]

9. Sorry about your 'anxiety,' CalPeg.

I just recalled my mother, after hip surgery after a fall, suffered what I considered serious after-effects from anesthesia (and of course, the doctor only told us LATER that this is pretty common. We thought she had lost her mind; she hadn't.) Takes a while to wear off.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

11. I'm sorry your mom suffered with those, my dear elleng...

I don't feel like I"m losing my mind.......any more than I normally do, LOL!

I keep telling myself: This too shall pass...

[elleng]

14. Yes, it will pass.

[erinlough]

54. My mom also suffered these effects

She called us from the hospital and was sure someone was trying to kill her. We called the desk and went down to find her absolutely terrified. It did wear off finally.

[elleng]

55. Similar, but my mother was in care facility after surgery,

accused staff and roommate of all sorts of things. I 'slept' in bed with her. Finally it wore off, as you said.

[applegrove]

29. Oh yes. Anesthesia can have weird effects for a week or longer. Vibes to you.

[WCGreen]

4. Well, you'll get better...

Hang in there and you'll be good as new...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. If those damn nightmares don't kill me in the meantime!

And you know I'm kidding....

I hope to be as good as new.......we shall see...

Thanks, Chris...

[pacalo]

7. It sounds like you might have some anxiety, CalPeg.

Tell the doctor on your next visit or call him if this continues.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. It could be, my dear pacalo...

I'll handle it. The last thing I need is another drug....

Thanks, sweetie...

[BlancheSplanchnik]

10. hey my dear Peggy.....

As a veteran of a ton of operations, several very major, I want to reassure you....
Recovery is weird! We always think that once the issue is dealt with, it's smooth sailing afterwards but that's not usually how it goes.

I missed what happened to you so I don't know the story, but any surgery and hospital stuff is pretty stressful. And it's amazing how tiring it is to heal!

Hang in there and know that every minute is that much closer to feeling good!

Rest. Sleep. Eat. Read. Have some foot massages.

I'm glad you have your husband to comfort you!



I'm on my mobile or else I'd find Mosh Girl and the dinosaurs for ya, to symbolize KICKING ASS!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

13. My dear BlancheSplanchnik!

You know, I must have known what you know, once upon a time, but I had forgotten the weirdness...

I had my right shoulder replaced, is what happened, a week ago.

I get stir crazy taking it easy. I like being on the move and then resting.

I am very thankful for my husband! He even puts up my hair...

Thanks for the great imagery......I can just see it!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

16. I know! it's weird how we forget!

Been that way for me every time! I forget how long it takes and the frustration gets to you after awhile.

But that's what we're here for...to remind you when needed!

You mean visualizing the minutes? Or visualizing kicking ass with the Godzilla?

Eat your faaaaaaavorite foods. Always helps me, anyway.
Sushiiiiii please...... . (Godzilla approves of sushi. She's Japanese, you know. )

[CaliforniaPeggy]

18. Oh, I am eating my favorite foods!

That would be Haagen-Dazs vanilla bean.......

I knew I could rely on my good friends here.....

[BlancheSplanchnik]

20. haaa I was editing while u. were answering....

LoLoL


So yes....I support Haagen Daz. Every chance I get.
Or Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt.
Ohhhhhhh jeez.....now I'm having cravings. At 2 am!!!!!!! And no ice cream in the house. Arggggggg!

Better turn out the lights and viiiiisualize.

[In_The_Wind]

12. Lack of sleep is a terrible thing.

It can cause so many other medical problems. I'm really sorry.

Perhaps some white noise will help your dreams.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

15. My dear In_The_Wind!

I'm getting enough sleep overall......just sometimes I'm awakened by odd dreams.

I like my bedroom quiet.....it works really well for me.

Thanks, sweetie...

[Wetzelbill]

17. Hope you get well asap!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. Hey, my dear Wetzelbill!

I haven't seen you over here in forever...

I am most definitely working on getting better!

Thanks, sweetie...

[ellisonz]

21. Couple things you might try if you're not doing them already

A couple of hours outside a day along with drinking more water will improve sleep and general mood (also cut sugar, caffeine, and carbohydrates).

Also, the internet is not a good substitute for non-political books. DU drives me nuts sometimes and I'm not recovering from a medical operation.

Breathe!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. My dear ellisonz!

Good ideas....maybe I'll sit out in my backyard for a bit and see if that helps...

Ahem. I do need my coffee. Just one mug, daily, see???

I have been reading other things besides DU.........no worries there!

And trust me. I am breathing!

Thanks, sweetie...

[ellisonz]

23. You know they do make decaf!

I swear by my coffee but if I'm not sleeping well I will cut it out for a couple days. I end up feeling better and the coffee tastes better when I get back on the c-train.

Good Night Peggy!

[Denninmi]

24. Ah, my dear CaliforniaPeggy ...

... you deserve only sweet dreams.

I think it probably is medications or the lingering effects of them. It should wear off shortly. Still, that sort of thing can be frightening.

OK, I kid you not, try finding something you can take to bed as a "security blanket" of some form -- perhaps a stuffed animal. It sounds strange, but they used to do that with the patients in my grandmother's nursing home who had insecurity issues, and it helped. I got used to seeing some of the patients sleeping in chairs in the hallways or lounges clutching a bear or other stuffed animal.

[Phentex]

25. I'm sure it's just residual...

And will work itself out over time. On the bright side, there's always someone on DU if you find yourself wide awake at 3:00 am and can't turn your brain off!!

Healing vibes to you!

[denbot]

26. I'm sorry your having such difficulties Miss CP

Have you thought about asking your doctor for an anti anxiety medication?

[handmade34]

27. thank god for husbands...

bad dreams can be so exhausting...

[Baitball Blogger]

28. You're dealing with tremendous stress with no where to channel it.

Usually, exercise works to release it, but you can't do that because of your shoulder injury. Just know it will get better and try to get an exercise list from your doctor of that things you can do.

Just my two cents.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

30. A Little somethin' to help with the nightmares....hang in there...just not with the recovering arm!

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4TSNA_enUS368US371&biw=1366&bih=651&tbm=isch&tbnid=yTP0KU2fh5H2FM:&imgrefurl=http://wallpaperscraft.com/download/dreamcatcher_charm_totem_17793/1280x1024&docid=fXi0X-C0WsxyXM&imgurl=&w=1280&h=1024&ei=zfD_UOzbNMHx0gHD3ICAAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=408&vpy=121&dur=7398&hovh=201&hovw=251&tx=107&ty=224&sig=109458329616487282207&page=3&tbnh=138&tbnw=168&start=76&ndsp=43&ved=1t:429,r:80,s:0,i:407

[lunatica]

31. Just keep thinking how much better you'll be doing very soon

I listen to soothing music in the background and I can feel it loosening up my capillaries and muscles and I know my blood is flowing easily to my brain instead of fighting it's way through stress constricted veins and capillaries. You can't help your dreams because your body is still reacting to medication, but you can help it along with music and other things that help you relax.

[sarge43]

32. Dear Peggy

You're going through post trauma. From both the accident and the surgery, your body and mind took a frightful, painful blow and they don't react well to the experience.

Take comfort in the blessed fact that we heal and get better. Quite soon you'll be able to remember the events without having to relive them and your strength will return.

You're so fortunate your husband can make the monsters get back under the bed.

Don't be shy about talking to your health care team. Yours is a common reaction and there are skilled pros who can help.

Love ya, sweet lady.

[GoCubsGo]

33. I'm glad you're doing better, despite the nightmares.

It's possible the lingering affects of the anesthesia are contributing to it. On the bright side, at least you're getting REM sleep, since you're dreaming, and that's a great thing! Hopefully, they will end soon.

[Donkees]

34. Depleted 'reserves' after surgery can occur...

Increased stress, recovery from surgery and healing, place *great* demands on your health reserves. Some of these 'reserves' which were fueling muscle, balancing anxiety, involved with restful restorative sleep, etc., might become depleted as the body focuses energy on the work of healing. You might research benefits of optimizing nutrition after surgery.

All best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!

[Zorro]

35. Perhaps you need a medical marijuana prescription

[LiberalEsto]

36. You might be tired from the effort your body is making to heal itself

and from the effort it takes to do ordinary tasks left-handed.

Here's a hug for better dreams.

[hedgehog]

37. As my husband said after his surgery - you've just come out of a knife fight!

Pay attention to what your body is telling you, and rest when you need to. Here's to a fast recovery!

[WhoIsNumberNone]

38. I was having trouble sleeping once, years back-

Stress-related. The doc prescribed some sleeping pills (Trazadone) I didn't like them because I was wiped for half the morning the next day. So they prescribed a mild muscle-relaxer (I forget what it was called, but it was a little green pill) didn't knock me out, but didn't zonk me the next day either- just made it easy to fall asleep.

[Frosty1]

39. Painkillers affect me that way.

Usually it takes me at least 10 days after I stop taking them for me to return to normal.

[MiddleFingerMom]

40. My dear CaliforniaPeggy!

.
.
.
I'm sorry you're having problems. Don't skimp on any pain meds or sleep aids -- there are GOOD
reasons for those, too.
.
The hospital is the ONLY place I've ever had consistent problems sleeping (this from a guy who
once hooked his armpits under a couple of branches and slept like a baby (wet the bed and
everything).
.
A misguided sense of pride made me resistant to asking my doctor for help, but when I finally
DID, it helped immensely. I think just knowing it was AVAILABLE helped me nod off without it --
and when I did use it, my days were so much nicer.
.
Same with pain meds. You're looking at a guy who, except for Illicit drugs, only took a coupla
aspirins every couple of months or so. So I resent having to take 8 or so different pills a day
now -- but I know that, contrary to those illicit drugs, these meds won't necessarily FEEL
good as much as they'll be good FOR me.
.
Ask for some help. You need to be relatively painfree AND rested in order to heal to your
optimal state again,
.
And tell your doctor that you have this friend in Arizona.
.
.
.

.
.
.

[Lasher]

41. I'll bet you dream about me.

If you do, then I'm a happy bunny or maybe a baby otter splashing around in your bathtub.

You remind me of myself. Hard to sleep, but sleep most of the time - but tired anyway. Awkward. Nightmares. And especially, a good partner who cares about you.

Endeavor to persevere,

Lahser

[nolabear]

42. Sounds as if you've triggered something, Peggy.

The mind is a wonderful thing. Only you know yours, but remember, healing takes time and though it can feel strange to be vulnerable, you'll be fine. Write about it. You've got some good material there.

[Paulie]

43. Sweet dreams tonight!

Green fields full of crocuses while your on your phone name nuking trolls.

[Kali]

44. OMG what happened?

is this from when you fell? I missed something obviously...

did you hurt your shoulder?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

45. I had my right shoulder replaced!

A week ago yesterday...

The fall happened before the surgery, when I went into the hospital to pre-register. The only thing I hurt in the fall were my teeth and my upper lip, which I lacerated in the fall.

My shoulder is recovering from being replaced, and it is doing well.

Does that help?

[Kali]

46. I have obviously missed a lot of stuff lately!

I hope you get over the bad side effects fast! wow you are going to be the bionic woman soon!

Tonight may be the last night of my MIRT session then I can get back to playing in the Lounge more. (well, I am taking off for Mexico next week, but when I get back I may have to read archives back to July to get caught up!)

Heal fast and thoroughly, Peggy!

[Rowdyboy]

47. I caught the thread about the initial fall but nothing else...I'm so sorry....

I'm on an HIV medication called Atripla which causes exceedingly vivid and detailed dreams-causing problems for many people. A friend suggested I watch something I really loved right before bed and it has pretty much worked. I do sometimes have bad dreams but the medicine is well worth it. And having my guy next to me makes all the difference-even when he doesn't wake up.

I really wish you the best. My dreams are weird enough without adding chemical stimulation. Still, it can be interesting sometimes!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

48. Ah, it's OK, my dear Rowdyboy...

I sure don't expect you to slavishly follow the details of my life.......

I hear you about your guy...mine helps me a lot too...

How good your medication is helping you!

[Rowdyboy]

49. In 1998 when I was diagnosed I initially took 11 pills over each day for the HIV alone....

Now I take 1 pill at night. And the medication pretty much renders the disease unimportant. I'm only reminded I have it when I take the pills-which I do with a faithfullness that borders fanaticism. Thank God for insurance-otherwise I would have been dead ten years ago.

Life is good.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. I'm so glad your life is good....I'm really glad you're here...

My world would be a less interesting place if it didn't contain you.

[Rowdyboy]

51. Likewise.....

DU has been my support system through some pretty hard days and I'm certainly not through being entertained.

I am, however, ready to call it a day. Two solid days of gardening have worn these aged bones out. Tonight I'll probably dream about raking oak leaves!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

52. Sweetest of dreams, my dear Rowdyboy...

[DFW]

53. Just because they let you out of the hospital doesn't mean you're cured

All it means is that they think they have no further reason to keep you in the hospital, and they're not always right.

"Miles to go before I sleep," as the old poem goes. It appears you have a few yourself, and all too literally.

This, too shall pass, even if it doesn't seem like it. When my wife had her first big cancer operation, we were all saying "oh, crap." But six months after that, we saw light at the end of the tunnel, and after six more months she was out of the tunnel (we didn't yet realize it at the time).

So, this won't be over tomorrow, and it won't be over the day after tomorrow, either. But one day, when you aren't even thinking about it, it will be.

[TexasTowelie]

56. I hate reading that you are doing anything besides feeling fantastic.

I don't have much to offer in the way of advice, but I'm sending you powerful strong healing vibes so that you have an expedited recovery.

[easttexaslefty]

57. Nightmares suck.

I hope they leave you alone soon. 💗💗💗

[CaliforniaPeggy]

58. They ARE diminishing, and thank you, my dear easttexaslefty...

I'm still having dreams, but they're much less vivid than before, and they soon vanish after I wake up.

What a relief!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

59. Nightmares stink.

I have had trouble with them since the tornado.

Any idea why you are having them?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

60. My dear Lady Freedom Returns...

I suspect that they're just the residual from the anesthesia. I'm still having dreams but now they're much less intense and not nightmarish at all.

I hope yours go away soon...

[Lady Freedom Returns]

61. Glad to hear they are taming down.

As I said, Nightmares suck. Especially when they are a rerun!

Take care OK?

[MrScorpio]

62. A song for you, Peggy Love

[CaliforniaPeggy]

64. What a cool, cool song, my dear MrScorpio!

And what a sweet thing you just did for me...

I loved it.

Thank you, sweetie...

[libodem]

63. Wonder if you are sensitive to your pain meds

Maybe you are still getting over the anesthesia? Hydrocodone is noted to cause insomnia.