Tired and Frustrated
Question:
In 1989 I had a complete hysterectomy. Three months later, and no hormone replacement, I quit sleeping completely. I slept maybe 15 min. now and then. Even after starting estrogen repl. my sleep pattern has never been normal again. I’ve tried many over the counter sleep aids, and many prescription depression and sleep pills, but am still struggling. I take Prosom to sleep and without it I don’t sleep. I am just looking for the solution. Marsha Leeper
Response:
I was just minding my own business on Wed, 15 Apr 1998 15:19:33 -0500, when Dennis Leeper <dlee…@theshop.net> up and shattered my reverie: >In 1989 I had a complete hysterectomy. Three months later, and no >hormone replacement, I quit sleeping completely. I slept maybe 15 min. >now and then. Even after starting estrogen repl. my sleep pattern has >never been normal again. I’ve tried many over the counter sleep aids, >and many prescription depression and sleep pills, but am still >struggling. I take Prosom to sleep and without it I don’t sleep. >I am just looking for the solution. >Marsha Leeper
Hi Marsha: I would recommend that you start with an accredited sleep clinic in your state. You may have an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea that has made you insomnious. The changes in your hormones may have influenced or exacerbated an existing sleep condition. Anyway, really, this is where you need to start (after a comprehensive physical! — which could be done by the sleep doctor). Sleep physicians are typically pulmonologists or neurologists, so you may want to get a good physical by an internist first. A sleep clinic accredited by the American Sleep Disorders Association (do a sleep search on your web browser) will be able to guide you in your treatment strategies or other. Good luck, Doug
