Re: Sleeping with the dilators

[Heather34]

Hi Katy. Dr. P has said so many times that “you have to catch up emotionally to where you are physically.” I found this to be true long after my procedure. I, too, was often nervous that I would lose progress if I did not dilate overnight or skipped a day here or there. I ended up having to take a long break (few months) due to neurosurgery and still went back to dilating fine and without pain or anxiety following this. You are doing absolutely amazing and will continue to do so. I also wanted to share with you some other posts from Dr. P and other forum members concerning sleeping with the dilators. Sending big hugs to you and please know you have my support always:

Forum member 1 writes:
“I didn’t care for sleeping with the dilators, however it wasn’t impossible. I did it for the first week or so sleeping with the purple dilator. It didn’t hurt at all just hard to get comfortable sometimes so I sat on the neck pillow. I decided sleeping with it in wasn’t for me and I sent Ellen an email asking for any other options. She told me to just extend my dilating in the morning on the nights I was suppose to sleep in it and that has worked wonders for me.”

Dr. P writes:
“I agree. Some patients simply struggle with sleeping with dilators, while others find it easy. It’s not the end of the world if this is discontinued and making up extra time during daily dilation. If discomfort returns, it is simply a sign that more dilation is needed (rather than more Botox).”