1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Can't Sleep?

Posted , 10 users are following.

Jayive
Jayive

I often read that many of us can't sleep after their THR and that includes me. So I thought I'd share my tip for passing those long dark nights.

I used to sit up in bed and watch TV but that only kept me (and my husband) awake.

Now I have a radio on the bedside cabinet with a small microphone tucked in under my pillow and listen to radio 4 or 5 live, both rarely have any music, just people talking (I prefer speech to music as I also have tinnitus). Often the subjects are interesting and I get absorbed enough to forget my pain for a while. Sometimes I wake again much later to find that I have slept through for several hours while the radio has been talking to itself.

Having the microphone tucked in keeps the sound just under my head and doesn't wake my husband which is good.

I hope this will help, it's worth a try as I know it works for me.

 

3 likes, 35 replies

35 Replies

Next
  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK Jayive

    Posted

    Hi Jayive

    Thanks for the tips.

    We all certainly need them

    I'm lucky in one respect.......I have moved into the spare room.

    That might sound awful but after the THR and me tossing and turning, then fractured the hip things got worse so I relax much more in the spare room knowing I'm not keeping hubby awake and I can toss and turn or do what i lke.

    Also he didnt help that he snoredcheesygrin  I never really noticed it before but when I couldnt sleep it just made thigs worse.

    Love

    Eileen UK

     

    • sharon09126
      sharon09126 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      I have done the same thing I moved out of the room I am in my own room cos I am up and down all night lol I have found a lot of things wrong with my husband lol cos I am awake all night I found I was getting very cross with him cos he is sleeping and I am not but it is not his fault but I can do what I want now without hurting anybody in the house 
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK sharon09126

      Posted

      Hi Sharon

      Poor hubby......not allowed to sleep because you cantcheesygrin

      But I do know what you mean.......I've had a dream and in it we might have been have a slight row.......We'd gone to bed quite jhappily...no fighting...so where this came from I dont know but I woke up and was so cross with him and poor man he didnt know whybiggrin

      Love

      Eileen  UK

  • cindy6649
    cindy6649 Jayive

    Posted

    I'm in a separate room too but the 3 dogs came to sleep with me instead of my husband so I moved back to the master bedroom (with the bigger bed) and my husband moved to the guest room. Heehee. 

    I never thought about the radio. The tv just kept me up longer because it's very bright but the radio probably wouldn't because there's no light. I did try a book on tape once but I was too interested in the story to sleep. Since it's 4:39 a.m. now, maybe I'll try talk radio. 

    Thanks!!

  • patricis
    patricis Jayive

    Posted

    Funny thing you started this conversation today!....

    I'm l6 weeks post op so thankfully I've been sleeping for awhile...but just last night in bed I remembered thinking "this time of no sleep will never end"...I even have journal entries in capital letters saying "I HATE THE NIGHTS"!! I guess just remind myself in case I forgot how bad it was....I tried sleeping pills but they never helped, actually having the tv on put me to sleep and 4 hours later I would wake to turn or get up and it would still be on.

    All that I learned what helped me by trial and error and all the advice onthis site I will keep with me whenI go for my left hip next summer.

    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 patricis

      Posted

      Patricis I also have to consider the other side next year but my experience was SO shocking I am trying to find another way. Compared my xrays online with other advanced cases of OA against those able to have HA intra articular Jabs. I cannot go through it again unless it is a drastically different procedure with far more after care. I already wrote off a year and it's not over yet.  Also my weight wd not allow major surgery yet.  Is very hard to weigh the pain now against the pain post surgery. .. How did you make the decision. .. Do you have a choice? 
    • sharon09126
      sharon09126 patricis

      Posted

      I have done my left hip I am  9days in this time was different I had my right side done 3month ago  and I was not in so mush pain like this one but I had a X-ray and they said the first hip has not heald on the in side but let me tell you something I have never felt so mush pain in my life my back is so painfull I try my best to sleep but no luck I have done bough of my hips in 3month and I am in so mush pain I eat pain killers for lunch dinner and tea  I don't know if I am coming or going
  • beachbum1957
    beachbum1957 Jayive

    Posted

    I tried that, worked a little. The most I slept was 1 to 2 hours.
  • Sredni393
    Sredni393 Jayive

    Posted

    Oh that, and a million which ways, Jayive!   I now put on youtube 10hours playing of rain water, or ocean sounds or thunder.  This is mainly because there is a member of hte 3am club in my neighbourhood whose own radio or tv goes on and off through the small hours waking me with a jump which leaves me in panic.  The ocean sounds drown that out.  But should the ipad stop before 6 or 8 hours, for example then that ruins the whole exercise!  I also take a shedload of different sedatives like kavakava (banned here) and californian white poppy (also from the USA, Ca, natch) GABA and melatonin, keeping changing them so that i don't get too used to anything.  I say, whatever it takes....now that I can't lay on my back OR side!  the unoperated hip is so painful on the butt side, the operated hip still sore after a year as prosthesis too proud,  I think I'll have to suspend myself from the ceiling or in a floatation tank to sleep through the night!  Or better, have a lobotomy, know anyone!?
    • beachbum1957
      beachbum1957 Sredni393

      Posted

      Did the surgeon told you how to sleep in what position? Your operation was from the back some of us was from the side bog difference. Laying on your is best don't forget the pillow between your legs and roll onto your unoperated leg. I couldn't do either I was on my back for 4 straight weeks without moving. That's why my cup had bone growth success. I'm now 4 months post op.
    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 beachbum1957

      Posted

      We were meant to sleep on our backs for 12weeks after posterior... I am one year on but never got better as my plastic cup and/or ceramic ball too big. Sore on that operated side as tissue stretched and re-sewn. That's IT basically and I don't want to have the other one done but can't lie on that (good!)side... Hoping and praying OS surgeon looking at X-ray will give me HA as some reprieve. Cannot go thru another THR for at least 2yrs. I am a shadow of former self but don't limp (some small mercy). But I must've aged 10 yrs and lost a kilo... Suddenly my "good" is no longer good but aching and aching and bringing me down down...
    • beachbum1957
      beachbum1957 Sredni393

      Posted

      The first 4 weeks was detrimental to my sleep pattern must sleep on our backs for bone growth otherwise it would never happen. That's why you're having issues after one year. Did you ever had physical therapy, did you ever used ice therapy to help ease pain and inflammation. All of these are factors to your recovery.
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK beachbum1957

      Posted

      Hi Beachbum

      I had to sleep on my back for 6 weeks.....instructions from the consultant.

      Then after my check up I was told I could sleep on the operated side only {for a while}.....The back....yes I had pillows all aroud me to stop rolling over and one between my legs to stop crossing them {in my sleep HA!!!!!!!!some chance}

      On my operated side the reason for that was if it was the other side the operated leg could fall forward and that could dislocate it.

      The operated leg was much too sore to be on for another few months so it was on my back for longer which I did not find at all comfortable.

      Love

      Eileen  UK

       

    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 beachbum1957

      Posted

      Oh yes beach bum, physio, chiro, Osteo, the whole 9yards, warm oily massage for circulation, blah blah,, BUT I had bad or no nutrition first five days AND my socket/ball way too big as sticks out. Being skinny meant that there wasn't a lot of slack to sew back tissue on an already taut area. It's okay I'll know next time and ask for the measurements...but things got better at around 10 months then went pear shaped and I am realistic to understand that it ain't over yet. The body is still adjusting .... We get it for free, but no way will I be taking THAT route. Private for me next time and I'll hire a chef! (Know anyone?  Joking) And, I'll have the anterior procedure no brainer...
    • beachbum1957
      beachbum1957 Sredni393

      Posted

      Osteoporosis yes youre doing what works for you. Yes its not over yet. 

      I think that's your best prudent decision for the anterior approach. Research it and decide and find the right surgeon for that procedure.

      Hope you do get better. 

    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 beachbum1957

      Posted

      No hon, by osteo I mean osteopathy.  Osteoporisis I dont have! Surgeon said ive got gd bone matrix. The only reason im still walking. 

      Thanx all yr comments. Yr contributions have been very helpful to a lot including us Brits. May yr full recovery continue exponentially! 

    • beachbum1957
      beachbum1957 Sredni393

      Posted

      Thand your comment are also helpful for me to understand recovery progress not only for me but others as well. 

      We all progress differently.

      I had osteoarthritis reason I decided THA.

      God Blesss

    • sharon09126
      sharon09126 Sredni393

      Posted

      I have done both side and I am going crazy with pain and swelling my back is killing me my bottom is hurting so bad I am from a mix raze back ground  but right now am black and blue I have so mush brushing the pain from that alone but I need to sleep I am up all night and sleep in the day so I had  no choice to do both hips I was in so mush I could not walk the pain was so bad   But now I have double the trouble now think twice befor you do it but make sure you heal first 
    • Sredni393
      Sredni393 sharon09126

      Posted

      Yes Sharon I have waited a year.  But the new side is now burning 24/7 and the longer you leave it the more the bone is being ground awayand the more radical the surgery.  I think it's got so much worse in the the months since I got  X rayed. I am very depressed as no way would I go back to same hospital and I know it'll take another year of my life.  I cannot face it just now but as you say the pain is going to get unbearable either way. At least we know eventually that the operated side will improve unless you are one of those unlucky ones who go on having complications and whose lives are ruined.  Too many examples on here. 2 surgeons already said I'm no candidate for jabs. Oh dear god. ....... Do think it will get better for you. It will
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.