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.
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
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 :)