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Anybody any ideas on sleeping?

Posted , 6 users are following.

sue13845
sue13845

I have had both hips replaced-3 months apart- last one early dec. I have a collapsed lower spine and then, unfortunately, had 4 pulmonary emboli. I have a fkexure contracture so am Walkmeter by with a sister bugle crutch.

Post op- I have tried the memory foam l shaped pillow- it helps for an hour then I wake in agony and have to sit on the edge of the bed to relieve the pain- I'm beginning to think I will just have to accept not sleeping properly for a few more months - has anyone got an answer?or idea?

It's certainly a longer pricess( and lengthened even more- because of the emboli then I ever guessed'

1 like, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK sue13845

    Posted

    What positions are you able/allowed to try? If you are on your back, you could try sleeping on an incline, propped up by pillows, with a pillow under your leg/legs. If on your side, you need a good pillow or two (I use a thick memory foam with a dip in it) for under your head, and a large pillow between your legs may help, too. I had a back fracture between my two hip surgeries, and that made the sleep so much worse.

    I slept ok after 6 weeks after my first surgery, the THR. Sleep was awful for those first 6 weeks because I had to sleep sitting up in bed, since I couldn't sleep on my back (sleep apnea) and wasn't allowed side-sleeping at first.

    But then, after I suffered a vertebral compression fracture in my mid-back last summer, and then 8 weeks later I had a second hip surgery, I had horrendous sleep for 7 months. Wasn't allowed to try side sleeping after the second surgery for another 6 weeks, and I was wearing a brace 24/7, so side sleeping wouldn't have been possible anyway. I got a hospital bed for my home, and that made it a lot easier. I could electrically adjust the angle of the back and the knees with the remote. I am keeping the hospital bed. During and after the back trouble (for which I had a kyphoplasty), I "slept" sitting up at a table, hunched over it for a couple of months. That was the worst.

    I am now 16 weeks after the second surgery and 6 months after the back surgery, and for the last 6 weeks I have been able to sleep consistently on my side and get good sleep. It is heavenly! Wishing you the best on your quest to get good sleep.

    • sue13845
      sue13845 AnnieK

      Posted

      Thankyou for the hints - I empathise- I think I have had one full undisturbed nights sleep since July -

      I will have another pillow rearrangement tonight

      Su

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK sue13845

      Posted

      Sure thing, Sue! After my THR, I used 15 pillows in my bed! It was crazy, I know, but I needed them all. When sleeping on the incline, which required a bunch, I also needed pillows for under my arms. 

      The arrangement changed often, depending on my changing physical needs.

  • hope4cure
    hope4cure sue13845

    Posted

    Lots and lots of pillows. Relaxing music and Tylenol pm.
  • beth2509
    beth2509 sue13845

    Posted

    Some people on here have said that they have found it easier to use a recliner chair than going to bed. From the sounds of what you are going through, it might be a worthwhile investment for you. The biggest part of your healing takes place when you are asleep, so settling for months without sleep isn't really an option - besides which, not sleeping makes you crazy. Literally!

    And I have to ask - because I have been trying to figure it out for ages - what does "I have a fkexure contracture so am Walkmeter by with a sister bugle crutch?" mean? I am totally stumped!

    • sue13845
      sue13845 beth2509

      Posted

      I have horrible typing and my iPhone seems to delight in making rubbish!

      Read- I have a flexure contraction and am still having to walk with a single crutch

      Thanks- I've tried sleeping on my recliner chair and indeed got 3 hrs uninterrupted sleep last night- not quite enough

      Sue

    • beth2509
      beth2509 sue13845

      Posted

      Ah, the dreaded predictive keyboard. Me too! I guessed the first bit but the "sister bugle crutch" had me totally clueless!

      I guess you are one of those that are going to have to catch zzzz's whenever you can. Have you spoken to your doctor about sleeping tablets? I know my GP is very cautious about prescribing them, for good reasons, but it may be that getting any sleep right now is more important than " proper sleep".

  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK sue13845

    Posted

    When it was really bad for me, I tried many things, but the best was a very firm bed in our spare room, and my recliner chair.   I found keeping as cool as possible also helped me, heat seemed to worsen the agony of sleeping on my back.  My iPod with little in-ear headphones and some soothing music was beneficial too.

    Graham

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Great advice , I too have resorted to use many ways including your suggestions to cope with the pain issues.

      Anti depressant also helped as I became depressed with chronic pain which most docs don't address and is an important piece of the puzzle, sleep meds and muscle relaxers. 

       

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK hope4cure

      Posted

      You are so right there - there are many facets to recovery after THR, both physical and mental, and we all seem to suffer to both to a greater or lesser extent.   
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