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Backache from sleeping on my back

Posted , 10 users are following.

CelsB
CelsB

Sorry, another thread about back sleeping.

For the last few nights I have been waking in the early hours with backache that is preventing me from falling back to sleep.  I have arthritis in upper and lower spine but I reckon it's just positional or at least a mixture of both.  I don't normally suffer from much pain in my back and it was onbly picked up on Xrays for other things.

I have a memory foam mattress topper, I'm trying pillows in various positions to support my back and knees, and taking pain relief when it's due.  I save 2 cocodamol for night time use.

It's probably too early for me to try side sleeping, and anyway was told after 6 weeks that I could sleep on operated side - no way could I sleep on that incision yet eek  I do find the differing advice on side sleeping confusing.  When I was in hospital they rolled me onto my good side with a pillow between my knees to change my dressing and told me never to turn on that side without a pillow between my legs.  I'm not sure whether they were inferring that I could sleep with a pillow between my legs and didn't think to ask at the time.  I was too busy hanging onto the bed rails for dear life!

Any advice you lovely folks can offer ??? 

Cels xxx

2 likes, 38 replies

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  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK CelsB

    Posted

    First time around, I waited until I was told at 6 weeks that I could get onto my side, and I found it much easier on the operated side.

    After the second operation, I actually started rolling to 45 degrees at  about 3 weeks, but this time found the operated side too painful so started on the unoperated side.  I wasn't able to go for very long, but it was a relief to get off my back.  

    What I have found is that after two periods of enforced back-sleeping, I actually prefer to sleep on my back now, so although I do roll onto each side for a bit of relief, my main sleep is flat out on my back.  I do now find it easier to roll onto the unoperated side than the operated one.

    Oh, and always with a pillow (or big cushion) between the legs

    Graham - 🚀💃

    • CelsB
      CelsB Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Thanks Graham,

      The first couple of nights weren't too bad. I though "Wow, this is easy" rolleyes   I think I was so exhausted I had no option but to sleep.  As I'm feeling better these things are starting to bother me more.  

      I'm not complaining (much), I think I'm doing very well but sleep is so important.

      I'll try to shift the weight a little off my back by turning carefully at an angle with the pillow.

      Cels xxx

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK CelsB

      Posted

      Cels

      Yeah, you're still full of drugswhen you come home, so it doesn't hurt so much, then reality kicks in.

      That's more or less what i did the second time, just turn a bit to relieve the constant pressure.  Listen to your body, it will complain if you turn or stay in the wrong way too much.

      So odd that I now actually prefer being on my back.

      Graham - 🚀💃

  • bridie000
    bridie000 CelsB

    Posted

    Hi Cels, I have lower back pain, though I do sleep on my side as well as on my back.

    Sounds like you're already propping yourself with pillows, the only other thing I do is use ice packs on the sore area.

    I hope you get some relief.

    • CelsB
      CelsB bridie000

      Posted

      Thanks Bridie,

      My lower back isn't too bad.  It's mostly my upper spine that aches.  We'll see what tonight brings. cheesygrin

    • bridie000
      bridie000 CelsB

      Posted

      Hi Cels, I hope you slept alright. I had bad upper back while in hospital, I found sitting more upright helped but what really helped was doing some exercises, arms out and in, up and down, got the blood pumping to those muscles that were probably cramping due to inactivity.

      Best wishes to you💜

    • CelsB
      CelsB bridie000

      Posted

      I've had a very good night thanks, in fact I'm doing this in bed on my ipad.  The pillows under my upper spine really supported it and I didn't have any backache.  Long may it last because sleeping well at night is such a bonus.  I did wake at intervals of course, but not with back pain.

      Cels xxx

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK CelsB

      Posted

      Cels,

      So glad you have found a comfortable method of sleeping, it's so important for your recovery to get a decent amount of rest for the weeks after the operation.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • CelsB
      CelsB Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Thanks Graham.  Instead of dreading going to bed I'll be looking foward to it now.  

      *note to self - remember to put your sports bottle back on the bedside table after taking your tablets instead of leaving it on the bed.  It leaks*

      Cels xxx

  • Kate53CornUK
    Kate53CornUK CelsB

    Posted

    Rather than going completely over on your side try 'leaning' a little with the support of pillows on both sides. I suffered the same problem for the same reasons. I get horrible burning pain from OA when on my back for too long. Just leaning over a little takes the pressure off your back. For the first few weeks you have to make sure you don't twist so essential to keep your hips straight when you move over. For me it was a bit like a small hippo turning over (I hung onto the headboard and just moved a centimetre at a time but the relief was immediate.

    I started moving over a bit further every few days until I was confident and comfortable on my (un-opped) side. Like Graham I have to have a pillow between my knees and ankles which I put in place before I turn. 4 weeks later I am still on my side and can manage a short while on my op side but not so comfy.

    Sleep is all biggrin

     

    • CelsB
      CelsB Kate53CornUK

      Posted

      Thanks Kate, I'm going to get out my full length 'v' pillow which I haven't used yet.  It will support me on both sides and help me to lean over a little bit.

      I've turned on my side whilst awake with the pillow between my legs, trying to turn my whole body together.  Not easy but do-able.  As you say, it gave me momentary relief immediately but I made sure I didn't fall asleep.  It wasn't that comfortable really but took the weight off my back.  

      I wish I could nap in the day but I can't.  I've never been a daytime napper.  

      Cels xxx

  • keith13467
    keith13467 CelsB

    Posted

    My husband is 11 days after his opp and was told the other day by the physio that he has to sty on his bck for the 6 weeks(5  weeks to go) he is managing to sleep about 3 hrs first off, he said it's awful.
    • CelsB
      CelsB keith13467

      Posted

      I'm 11 days post op too.  The only advice I was given about sleeping was from the o/t before I went in.  Nothing from the surgeon but when he asked me if I had any questions for him I couldn't think of any.  Stupid me!  

      My best wishes to your husband.  Tell him we're op twins biggrin

      Cels xxx

    • khippie
      khippie CelsB

      Posted

      Same 11 days and still on back propped up with pillows. - Lower back pain is horrendous due to pro lasped disk amd sciatica on op side to op side !! Conflicting messages are
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK keith13467

      Posted

      We all get six weeks on our backs - yes it is awful, but you do get used to it.  

      I had six weeks from the end of October 2015 following THR, then another six weeks of the same when I had my revision in January 2016.  

      Now I actually feel better on my back, which I never did before the THR.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • khippie
      khippie

      Posted

      (keep pressing post too early !! ) so frustrating !! Today I have got up earlier and came downstairs (my 7. Yr old was iver the moon bless her <3 ) i am in arm chair with leg out below hip and lots of cushions - it is a nice relief for the back - hope you find some comfort somehow - feeling your pain

      xx )="" i="" am="" in="" arm="" chair="" with="" leg="" out="" below="" hip="" and="" lots="" of="" cushions="" -="" it="" is="" a="" nice="" relief="" for="" the="" back="" -="" hope="" you="" find="" some="" comfort="" somehow="" -="" feeling="" your="" pain="">

      xx>

    • CelsB
      CelsB khippie

      Posted

      Cheers khippie, and well done you for doing the stairs.  I'm lucky to be all on one level.  Stairs sound a bit daunting!  I did them in the hospital but glad they aren't a necessary part of my recovery as yet.  I am very comfortable in my recliner but I have been out for a little walk, taken my rubbish out and done a load of washing.  Feeling smug wink

      Cels xxx

    • khippie
      khippie CelsB

      Posted

      Thankyou - I ve been doing stairs since got home - someone said its a good form of excercise , but im sure someone somewhere will say its not !!;-)

      Well done you for rubbish and washing , I admire you going through this living on your own - pat on back :-)

      Xxx

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