trouble sleeping
 

is it true pcs ppl have problems sleeping? as far as im concerned i have it. does it get better? mine hasnt in 4 months since ive had it

thanks

Trouble sleeping can be caused by many different things as far as I know of. Have you ever tried a sleep aid like meletonin?

What happens when you try to sleep ?

What are you doing in the 4 hours before you try to sleep ?

How comfortable are you in bed ?

What do you feel like when you wake up ?

I had trouble sleeping the first month, only because I was scared i wouldn't wake up. I would ask my gf to spend the night with me and that would really help. I would still feel really scared and terrible symptoms but i was relaxed someone was there in case something happened.

I had no real issues with sleeping pre-PCS, but have them on a regular basis post-PCS. For me, the sleep issues are directly related to activity/over-stimulation.

Refinisher,

I could fall asleep anywhere whenever I wanted to pre injury. Post injury in was down to an hour a day...a half hour at a time with 6 hours between.

After 7 months sleep is finally becoming more dependable but still nothing like the good ole pre days.

Mark's questions are really important to good sleep...for me what I call thought hygiene is important. Keep the worry down pre bed and don't let it get the best of you when you wake. I remindydelf that I will be able to function at work with only a few hours of sleep and that last nights sleep is no predictor of tonight's sleep.

Bud

I think the only thing that has helped me get less fractured sleep since my PCS has been smoking weed. The only downside is that it makes me feel more groggy in the morning and gives me blurry vision the next day or two sometimes. It did not cause these prior to my PCS.

I was reading more about marijuana. The THC and CBD are not the cause of the sleepiness. It is the carbon-monoxide, benzene and other toxins that cause the sleepiness. I would be very careful about smoking weed. Oil is the safest or edibles. Vaping is better than smoking but there is still toxins in the vapor if it is from dry plant material.

Sleep disruption is pretty common after TBI. For most people, the problem will resolve.

Sadly, I'm among the minority left with a, seemingly, permanently altered sleep pattern. I have trouble falling asleep and never sleep more than a few hours without waking.

I am not a fan of sleeping pills and remain unconvinced of their efficacy for the brain injured. Some people report that Melatonin is helpful. However, my doctor warned against long term use. I'm no expert on the stuff, but maybe Mark or Mrs. D will weigh in.

You can help yourself by having good sleep hygiene: avoid alcohol and caffeine; give yourself time to wind down and relax before you go to bed; try to stick to a bedtime and a bedtime routine, make sure you have a good neck pillow and rest in a quiet, cool, dark room.

Be attentive to other health issues that might be disrupting your rest. Perhaps, like me, you have pain from other injuries. Many TBI patients wrestle with anxiety and/or depression, both thieves of sleep. Sleep apnea can also be a problem for some .

I was a great sleeper before my MVA. I sure miss that.
Good Luck

I echo Hockey, exactly same symptoms here and I'm over 16 months in. I also agree with MicroMan over stimulation makes things worse. Trying to live a non stimulating life is impossible - even out in the sticks!

Sleep isn't a conscious process which is why I find it so frustrating, these days I just live with the realisation some days I'll feel better than others and concentrate on the fact I'm getting better slowly but surely. I also remember how well I used to sleep and determined I'll get there again eventually.