I can't sleep...

[beatlefan]

I hate when I can't sleep in the summertime. In the burn season, I'd get up and move to the couch and watch the fire. It kinda mesmerizes me and I drift back to sleep.

Now, all I can do is stare at the ceiling.

 

[sportbikerider78]

My solution. Fry a few eggs and.....

 

[Highbeam]

Don't just lay there any more than 30 minutes. After that amount of time, you need to get up and do something. I have a tablet and read forums or whatever until my eyes get heavy and then go back to bed.

Try and remember what you did or didn't do that is preventing good sleep. Did you nap that day? Drink caffeine too late? Drink or not drink enough alcohol? more or less physical activity? stress?

Usually I am asleep within a minute or two of lights out according to the wife. If not, it's my fault for a change in routine.

 

[beatlefan]

Don't just lay there any more than 30 minutes. After that amount of time, you need to get up and do something. I have a tablet and read forums or whatever until my eyes get heavy and then go back to bed.

Try and remember what you did or didn't do that is preventing good sleep. Did you nap that day? Drink caffeine too late? Drink or not drink enough alcohol? more or less physical activity? stress?

Usually I am asleep within a minute or two of lights out according to the wife. If not, it's my fault for a change in routine.

I have a ruptured disc in my back. It's gotten to the point of 24/7 pain and keeps me up at night. Time for surgery... I can't put it off any longer. And yes...it's my fault. I was lifting large rounds into my truck by myself back in November and blew it out.

 

[Highbeam]

I have a ruptured disc in my back. It's gotten to the point of 24/7 pain and keeps me up at night. Time for surgery... I can't put it off any longer. And yes...it's my fault. I was lifting large rounds into my truck by myself back in November and blew it out.

Medical reasons for inability to sleep are way beyond my expertise. I was looking towards healthy reasons. I would be putting off that surgery too, seems scary.

 

[vinny11950]

I have a ruptured disc in my back. It's gotten to the point of 24/7 pain and keeps me up at night. Time for surgery... I can't put it off any longer. And yes...it's my fault. I was lifting large rounds into my truck by myself back in November and blew it out.

Sorry to hear it. Take care of it and get well soon.

Good luck.

 

[Lake Girl]

My chiropractor, who had similar issues, advised against fusion surgery. Never did mention what he would have done otherwise though. Blew his back the summer before he was to attend school for chiropractics (Minnesota) and had the surgery before "he knew better"

What physical therapy have you been doing until now?

Sorry about the sleepless nights ... neighbour has similar issues even though he had the surgery. Tough choices ahead...

 

[beatlefan]

My chiropractor, who had similar issues, advised against fusion surgery. Never did mention what he would have done otherwise though. Blew his back the summer before he was to attend school for chiropractics (Minnesota) and had the surgery before "he knew better"

What physical therapy have you been doing until now?

Sorry about the sleepless nights ... neighbour has similar issues even though he had the surgery. Tough choices ahead...

No physical therapy yet. I see a specialist on Tuesday to learn what my options are.

 

[firefighterjake]

I have a ruptured disc in my back. It's gotten to the point of 24/7 pain and keeps me up at night. Time for surgery... I can't put it off any longer. And yes...it's my fault. I was lifting large rounds into my truck by myself back in November and blew it out.

My wife had a ruptured disc as well . . . and she waited it out as long as possible . . . she was in constant pain since it was pinching a nerve . . . on the day she had her micro-disc-ectopy (I have no idea if I spelled this correctly) it was so bad that she was dragging one of her leg as it was completely numb (kinda looked a bit like Igor . . . but I didn't tell her that.)

When she came out of surgery she said the pain was gone and in fact she felt so good she didn't take any pain meds from the surgery itself.

As a nurse she found many patients who had fused spines and many said they simply traded one type of pain for another . . . not all mind you . . . but enough to be a bit of a concern.

 

[beatlefan]

My wife had a ruptured disc as well . . . and she waited it out as long as possible . . . she was in constant pain since it was pinching a nerve . . . on the day she had her micro-disc-ectopy (I have no idea if I spelled this correctly) it was so bad that she was dragging one of her leg as it was completely numb (kinda looked a bit like Igor . . . but I didn't tell her that.)

When she came out of surgery she said the pain was gone and in fact she felt so good she didn't take any pain meds from the surgery itself.

As a nurse she found many patients who had fused spines and many said they simply traded one type of pain for another . . . not all mind you . . . but enough to be a bit of a concern.

Yeah, I'd say that I've heard an equal amount of good and bad stories relating to spinal surgery. I feel I've chosen a doc that's at the top of his game and will give me good options. Then it will be up to me to decide. One thing is for sure...I'm going to do something, because doing nothing has made it progressively worse.

 

[beatlefan]

Thanks to everyone for the encouraging words!

 

[Lake Girl]

kinda looked a bit like Igor . . . but I didn't tell her that.)

Smart man

Good luck beatlefan! We're here for company during recuperation!

 

[fbelec]

definitely no fusion they tend to break. got the three lowest disks in my back out and numb feet. i'm lucky i can still plug along. for those extra painful nights i got two words and i feels like a strong pain killer (knob creek) makes my whole body numb for hours. and if you can get to sleep make sure you take 5mg of melatonin. works as long as it's dark

i wish you the best. back pain is no joke.