8 days after left hip replacement and so tired

It is horrible isn't pennypops, but we have all been there and got through. I honestly believed I would not cope. No one sleeps well just a couple of hours here and there. I think the reason for staying on the back is so the operated leg does not cross over while asleep, which would put the hip out of line while healing. I am sure someone will put me right on that.

Hi pennypops, so sorry to hear how awful you are feeling. It is very early days and you will be tired post op. Not being able to sleep on your back is not good. I am lead to believe that if you lie on your side it is easy to dislocate the newly operated hip. 

I haven’t had my surgery yet but I have had to sleep on my back for about 2 years because of the pain. Hopefully that is something that will be a bonus post surgery. I am not looking forward to the other restrictions though.

Take care of your self and hopefully you will feel stronger very soon.

Best wishes

 

Sorry about you situation. I deliberately left the wedge in the hospital. I preferred to put a pillow.  As long as you don’t cross your legs you’re fine. I started slowly moving to the good leg. A lot of people sleep in a recliner but I couldn’t. When I couldn’t sleep I did a lot of ankle pumps and put cold compress on the side hip and that helped with the healing. Hope it gets better.

I'm 4 weeks post left thr tomorrow and I'm still only getting 3 or 4 hours sleep each night. I have no restrictions from my surgeon (operated in North East of England) but can't sleep on my operated side as it's painful and can only lie on the other side for a short time before it becomes uncomfortable. So I'm still sleeping mainly on my back which I never normally do. However it is improving and I keep reminding myself I don't need to get up for work tomorrow or do anything else out of necessity so if I need to nap during the day I can. So if I can't sleep I just read a little or watch TV and then often drift back off. Remember it will get better!!!

Hi. As long as you keep a pillow between yr legs. A body pillow is best. Side is ok until uncomfortable. You need to make sure yr operated leg does not drop over yr other leg. This is crossing yr midline. Not good. 

Another trick you can do is put the body pillow under one side of yr body. This will tip you slightly to one side. Trick yr mind. 

I'm at 4 weeks 2nd hip. I had 7 hrs sleep the other night. Then back to 4 or so. Sigh. We will get there. 😋

I get your post ...  I must be blessed because I can sleep on my operated side and I put a pillow between my legs.   Can not sleep on my back at all.  If I sleep on my left side I use a pillow but as pillow does not go all the way down my leg,  I try to keep any potential cross over down by the ankle.  

I have another question which I have posted on this site.  Anyone going thru symptoms of one leg longer than the other ??

I slept in a recliner for 2 weeks after LTHR. It was more comfortable than getting on/off the bed and I could get up quicker to go to the bathroom. I didn't lean back much but used an ottoman for my legs. It was good, too, for during the day when I'd fall asleep for short time. Didn't sleep continuously for more than 3 or 4 hours. When I had more strength in the leg of side of THR I did sleep on the bed for part of the night. Even though it was not too comfortable sleeping on my back I got used to it. In fact, now that I'm almost 6 month post surgery, I start out on my right side and usually wake up while sleeping on my back. Important to have good pillows for any sleep position.

Hey Pennypops, I'm 3 weeks post-op TRHR and sleeping (or the lack thereof) on my back was NOT an option! I've been sleeping with about 8 pillows plus a wedge ever since 2 knee replacements & back surgery several years ago. I adjust some pillows against my back as if I'm propped up in a hospital bed. This allows me to SLIGHTLY sleep on my left side with a pillow between my legs, a pillow against my back and a pillow to hug. I use the wedge & a couple of pillows for elevation/icing when needed. I'm still waiting on the day where I can sleep flat on my side with no propping. Take advantage of "power" naps during the day which will help with the healing process. We're in this together and we will get pass this.

Oh my I am so sorry your uncomfortable. To me this is the worst part... There's not a easy fix. See if your can give you any thing to help you sleep. I can sleep on my side now. But. I dont sleep still...just hang in there. It'll get better....

Hi

I was exactly the same for the first 6 weeks just couldn't sleep all night on my back, I would go downstairs and just sleep on a recliner and slept a lot better, I did ask the consultant why I had to sleep on my back and he said it's because your muscles are relaxed when you are a sleep and your hip can dislocate if you sleep on your side. It may not seem like it at the moment but you do come through it, good luck on your recovery.

Hi Penelope

Must say first few weeks are the hardest pain sleep and lack of mobility im now 5weeks post op left thr pain really nothing apart from twinge s in groin and b it stiffness in a morning until I do my exercises

sleep well that's awful 2 hours a night max then wide awake Reading most night but I always feel shattered about mid day so off to bed for an hour !!!! Sleep when your body needs it

Boredom is the biggest factor as i work but can't for the time being and not driving for 6 weeks is the killer!!!!

It's a huge operation and everybody on forum is having similar symptoms so I think we all need to slow down and let our bodies rule !!!! Hard when you are used to being very active !!!!

I am now able for the past week to sleep on both sides which is spoon much better as back sleep is terrible but my sleeping has not improved as yet

Perhaps I might have a bottle of wine ???? !!!!!!

Best wishes feel better soon xcc

How are you doing now penny pops? 

I feel for you - not least because I have the very same issue (7days post op).