am I sleeping to much?

[bette1]

I got my transplant on monday, a week ago, and got back from the hospital on friday.  It seems like I cannot get enough sleep.  I spent most of today in bed and I am ready to sleep again.  Is this normal?

[Dianejt]

Oh Bette1, I was so surprized when I read that you where already home. Remember our bodies heal when we are sleeping. I don't think it is unusual to need rest, you have been through alot this past week.

[cariad]

I don't know if it's normal, Bette, but it sounds exactly like me a week after my transplant. I am about 10 weeks post-transplant now, and only just starting to feel the energy return. Good luck, and congrats on getting off the machine!

[okarol]

As I recall Jenna did a fair amount of sleeping. We would try to walk a little bit each day, then she'd nap. If you're eating and drinking ok, (keep the fluids steady even if you're not thirsty) and your weight, temperature and blood pressure are stable, then I wouldn't worry too much. But this is why they do clinic visits and labs so much in the first couple of months, to be sure they don't miss anything, so tell the transplant team if you are not feeling ok.

[RichardMEL]

You HAVE just undergone major surgery. Your body is recovering, and sleeping is one way it does that. As Karol says I think if you don't feel well/normal then talk to the transplant team about it. Indeed it can't hurt to mention it and see what they say but I suspect it is normal. You can't expect to be up climbing mountains a week later... I think yes important to try and get up during the day and do some walking/activity as you can, but don't push things too far.

[natnnnat]

Sleep sounds like a very good idea.  But to second Okarol's comment, when you do wake up, going on little walks is important.  Just a little farther each day, and being sensible about it.  G's transplant needed about 4 reopenings, because of trouble with getting the urethra working.  And he had his appendix out in the early 2000s as well.  He comments to me that walking is very important after abdominal surgery, and sends commiserations, because it hurts. 

[cykid]

After my transplant I was in the hospital for 4 weeks (some secondary issues). I've been sleeping a lot, but it's been 2.5 years now and I'm still sleepy meaning I wake up harder than before (actually before the ESRD, but that's another story - just realizing here i've always had issues when waking up).

So all in all, the meds you are taking do have an effect and you've just been operated as everybody said.

Whadaya, flip off the bed and do a full marathon for the morning gym? You've just got operated, and you must feel like after being hit by a train. Just take it easy.

[bette1]

I think I'm just a bit high strung.  I have never slept this much in my life and I feel lazy.  I talked to my coordinator today and she said that it's normal and plus I am a bit anemic.  So I pulled out my crafts and indulged myself a little bit.   :

[kellyt]

I didn't sleep a lot after surgery, but my body was tired.  And I tired out pretty fast when moving around, too.

[natnnnat]

what crafts are you working on bette?  I'm a knitter myself.

[bette1]

I never could figure out knitting. I'd like to learn.  I mostly do cross stitch or embroidery.  I am working on a picture of poppies right now but I have about 6 projects waiting for me.

[Chris]

I am the odd one out, I didn't sleep much, well didn't sleep at all once I got home. They finally gave me sleep meds though. In the hospital, they kept pushing the morphine that made me tired and I didn't have much pain to need it, then there was the boredom there too.
 
But anyway, any concerns you have, you should be allowed to call your tx center without a problem to raise your concerns 24 hours a day for the first few months post transplant.

[M3Riddler]

I got my transplant on monday, a week ago, and got back from the hospital on friday.  It seems like I cannot get enough sleep.  I spent most of today in bed and I am ready to sleep again.  Is this normal?

Bette1,

As another member posted, your body is recovering from major surgery. It took alot out of you. Im sure you were not eating normally at first as well which will play a factor.
Also, you may want to see what your hemoglobin is. If it is on the lower side, this is another reason why you would be tired. This should improve over time as your kidney will be producing hormones to produce red cells.

///M3R