Sleep problems

[Ndanya]

I can't seem to fall asleep! And if i do I only sleep during the day and wake up at night.. I have never had a problem sleeping. It's been 3 weeks since my head injury..

[B_S_A]

Ah that sucks, do you have headaches? How did your head injury come about?

[Ndanya in reply to B_S_A]

Car accident.. But I only suffered Amnesia for almost a week, other than sleep problems i cant decide on stuff and organize and when I talk I have to pause alot .. Is all this normal?

[Ndanya in reply to Ndanya]

Oh and no headaches not anymore I believe

[Danslatete]

I had the opposite problem, I couldn't stay awake! But I understand how annoying it is when you want to sleep and can't, I'm struggling in this weather with sleep too.

[RogerCMerriman]

Like dan I mostly just slept, at hospital I was asleep most of the time bar times they woke me to ask me where I was or to change the line in etc.

When I went home The hospital did give me some painkillers including some that where anti depressants for the evening which helped to sleep. When I went home though at that stage I was still sleeping all night and most of the day.

[Ndanya in reply to RogerCMerriman]

According to my family In the hospital I was asleep most of the time unless they wake me up.. After i got didcharged the pain killers made me sleep almost for 20 hrs! But I stopped and since then my sleeping pattern is messed up and whenever i try to sleep thoughts keep rushing in mind

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi Ndanya,

Thank you for your post. This is not an uncommon effect of a head injury, and our 'Managing fatigue' booklet includes some information on sleep, with useful techniques and resources to help you get your sleep pattern back to normal.

We would be happy to send you a copy of this - just send us your full name and address via a private message (click our username then 'Send a message' on the right-hand side of our banner) or contact our helpline on 0808 800 2244 or [e-mail]

Best wishes,

Headway

[Hidden]

I'VE FOUND MY SLEEP PATTERN IS RUBBISH. IT'S BEEN GOING ON A WHILE SO I LET MYSELF SLEEP WHEN I NEED TOO WHATEVER THE TIME OF DAY. 'OTHER PEOPLE' MAY SAY YOU HAVE TO GO TO BED TO SLEEP, BUT THAT'S ONLY CONVENTION, IF YOU'RE IN A POSITION WHERE YOU CAN SLEEP WHEN YOU NEED TO I FIND IT'S BEST TO DO THAT. ATLEAST YOU'RE GETTING SLEEP.

I HAVE NO MEMORY OF THE 2 WEEKS AFTER MY INJURY BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD I SLEPT ALL THE TIME & WAS ONLY SEMI CONSCIOUS WHEN I WASN'T FULLY ASLEEP (IF YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN!)

[Ndanya in reply to Hidden]

Even if im tired and go try to sleep I cant.. Its the thoughts that keep coming through my mind when i try to sleep! Its crazy and im dead tired

[cat3]

If you believe you're still affected by your injury, you need to be a little forgiving with yourself. It's possible that you're suffering delayed shock and, like many, your mind will fixate on the accident in the quiet of the night, whereas during the day there are distractions to keep these thoughts at bay.

From programmes I've watched about sleep issues I've noticed how harsh the therapists have been regarding sleeping in the daytime and patients are encouraged to avoid it at all costs. They recommended that even when you are feeling exhausted, you should find an activity to focus on every time you're in danger of sleeping, and keep this up until bedtime.

It seemed to work very quickly ; in some cases on the first night & others by the second.

I have chronic sleep problems, but never slept during the day, and so I regularly take a sleeping pill. It certainly isn't for everyone, but it works ok (most of the time) for me, and helps to stop anxiety in the wee small hours if I do happen to be awake.

I'd recommend you send for the Headway leaflet also................consider the problem from every possible angle. Good luck Ndanya. x

[Ndanya in reply to cat3]

Thank you so much..I believe what you said is right, that I might be having a delayed shock, as I still cant realize what happened it just feels weird.

Thank you

[cat3 in reply to Ndanya]

Have you had the opportunity to talk the experience through ? I found that my family needed to go over & over the details of my collapse and hospitalisation as a way of coming to terms with it.

This was useful for me though, as I'd been oblivious to my time in ICU and only became aware of the chain of events when It was explained to me later.

But I could see that their need to 'talk it out' was profound.....................and I wonder whether you've dealt with yours yet, or whether you're still getting 'after-shocks' from the accident. If so, you need to keep talking until it loses its sting...............then I think your sleep will improve. I hope so.

[Ndanya in reply to cat3]

Since I suffered amnesia and i cant remember a single thing.. I just ask my freinds and family to share stories as I was awake and responding. They said i had short term memory loss at that time too..

Would that help?

I'm a health care profesional and I worked in a surgical ICU so i just feel concerned, my doctor didnt explain much and im confused..

[cat3 in reply to Ndanya]

Ndanya, were you alone during the accident or was there someone else in the car ?

[Ndanya in reply to cat3]

2 of my friends but I'm the only one who got injured they are fine thank god

[cat3 in reply to Ndanya]

Great. So you have clear accounts of what happened ?

I'm trying to ascertain what's going on in your head and whether you've accepted the accident as just an unfortunate incident, or whether there are loose ends which are worrying you.

Who was driving and what, according to your friends, caused the accident ?

[Ndanya in reply to cat3]

Yes I do, as I dont recall the whole day before thr accident. I just cant realize it happened.

My friend was driving and a guy crossed a red light and hit us

[Ndanya in reply to cat3]

I think I'm just worried of how it will be going back to work.. As I return to work in 10 days.

[cat3 in reply to Ndanya]

I suggest you use those 10 days to get as much rest and healthy exercise as possible. Eat well and generally try to relax as much as you can............walking is really good for de-stressing, and try to keep things in perspective.

I'm assuming you had some type of head trauma in the crash so perhaps there's some post-concussion issue.

I'm having to use guess-work so please forgive all the questions but I assume you had all appropriate scans etc in hospital so what exactly were their findings...............was concussion mentioned ?

A lot of improvement is possible in ten days so try to concentrate solely on your well-being. But if you feel you aren't confident about returning to work when the time approaches, you really must see your GP about more time off, especially considering your type of profession.

And do contact the Headway helpline.

They have provided the number and whether it's information on sleep problems or other issues related to head injury, they can offer practical & emotional help and advice.

But if you feel it might help then keep talking here, or message me privately if you prefer. xx

[Ndanya in reply to cat3]

I don't mind your questions at all.. I honestly became a member here to be able to talk to people who have faced the same symptoms, and understand what I'm going through and stop worrying my family.

I dont remember what the doctors have told me but according to my medical report it said brain contusions the report wasnt detailed enough and even during my follow up i dont recall the dr saying much and what to expect, my dad says he only mentioned that recovery would take 3-6 months.

[cat3 in reply to Ndanya]

ok............got pm. x

[Tapper180]

Hi, I thought I'd share my story with you as I went through something very similar to you. I was hit by a car last August and suffered a head injury. I had amnesia for 10 days and was in hospital for 3 weeks. After I came out of hospital I too suffered with insomnia, for which I was given 5mg of ammtripalin, it worked really will for me. My gp said that I was suffering from post concussive syndrome. This took about 12 weeks to complete disappear . If I was to offer any advice it would be to get into a routine and stick to it. Sleep and wake same time every evening and morning. When I went back to work I was getting tired very easily, until my body was used to it. Good luck and hope everything sorts itself out for u soon.

[Ndanya in reply to Tapper180]

Thank you for sharing! And for your advice.. I believe it will help too i'll be going back to work in 9 days it should help with getting the routine back.

[Tortie14]

You also asked about having trouble with decisions and organising things I struggle with these too. Don't rush back to work. I did and realise now it was a mistake but the GP I was seeing didn't treat head injury only whiplash to neck and shoulders. Problem is we can look so well hard to believe we are not the same as pre accident.

[Ndanya in reply to Tortie14]

Ugh that sucks! I've always been the planner .. But with time I believe we will get better..

I got to feel my whiplash after I got discharged and was never treated . Should I see a physiotherapist? If you know

[Tortie14]

I needed intensive physio but I fell down a six foot drop onto concrete and broke my fall with my hand so not only neck but shoulder and back problems. Still seeing someone for a few more treatments. Creates problems with work using a computer. Been slow had accident in October.