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Here we go again at 2.30 am :(. :(

Posted , 9 users are following.

sarah22500
sarah22500

After three nights of no sleep I stuffed myself full of diazepam, zopiclone, co codamol and bio freeze menthol rub and lay down with baited breath. I found lying on my stomach ok and because my bedroom was warm I kept changing positions to get more comfortable. I felt no pain. At 2.30 I woke up with painful legs that felt like two very heavy pillars. The discomfort was in both legs so I had to get up, make a cuppa and write this for some advice. can’t remember seeing any posts about painful heavy legs after sleeping so I thoght I’d ask.  Thank you

0 likes, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • maddy81173
    maddy81173 sarah22500

    Posted

    Unfortunately I don’t have any advice but I just wanted you to know that someone is here and reading your post. I’ve been following your journey and hoping it’s going to get easier for you xx
  • brenda67955
    brenda67955 sarah22500

    Posted

    You might try a small glass (4 oz or so) of tonic/ seltzer water before you go gto bed. Do you drink enough water? Dehydration causes leg pain and cramping.
    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 brenda67955

      Posted

      Hi Brenda yes I take a bottle of tonic water to bed with me. I absolutely hate the taste of plain water so I will have to send out for some juice to add to it. 
  • chuck24117
    chuck24117 sarah22500

    Posted

    sarah, I forget how soon you are after surgery. I didn't try to lay on stomach or side for maybe 3 - 4 weeks, just  on back only with pillows between legs. If your moving a bunch in bed soon after surgery and rolling , I am sure you will hurt. The back sleeping was rough for me, not really sleeping just dozing off, then potty break every hour or so it seemed, I did watch many movies while wife was asleep, me on my back with ice on leg praying things would get better.

    Where you anterior posterior? In the states or UK , just curious. I heard someone say the UK had no ice for hip patients.

    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 chuck24117

      Posted

      Yes that was me about no ice Chuck. They gave me some but I had to ask for it as it was for the knee patients mainly.

      I’m unable to sleep on my back due to lumbar disc problems. My spine and buttocks hurt when I try to sleep on my back even when I support them well with pillows. 

  • stacy17516
    stacy17516 sarah22500

    Posted

    Hi Sarah.  I haven't had both legs hurting but I can relate to being awake during the night  i. take a sleeping pill so I go to sleep maybe a half hour after pill and wake up a few times a night for potty breaks.  I drink a lot of water diet peach tea propel vitiman drink during the day.  I can't imagine sleeping on my stomach. It hurts just to think of that. I am 7 weeks thr right leg.  I was told to sleep on my back and I seem to enjoy that. Because I had some swelling I sleep with my legs elevated on two pillows and A rolled towel between the legs so. they won't cross.  Wired. It  is very comfortable.  It does get easier each day. I know the beginning is like a nightmear but I promise you it will get better   Hang in there.   I hated exercise in the beginning but now I look forward to going to pt and riding the bike which I thought in the beginning I would never be able to do. Cheer up   You are not alone.  Ask for a seeping pill. 

    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 stacy17516

      Posted

      Hiya Stacy wow you are in the minority I think if you like sleeping on your back haha. I hate that position.  I do take a sleeping pill but the pains in both shins wakes me up after dropping off, my legs feel so heavy lying there. I used to get these darned aching shins even before my op now they’re back. It might be my Neuropathy but I don’t sleep all night on my stomach, I seem to go round and round the bed in different positions but I also have spinal stenosis which hurts my back a lot if I try to sleep on it. 
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy sarah22500

    Posted

    It is not safe to sleep on your stomach after hip replacement surgery, particularly as I believe you had the posterior approach. Do not attempt to lie in this position. It is also not a good idea to sleep on your surgical side.  After the 6 week mark check that it is OK to sleep in your normal sleeping positions again. Have you got any follow up appointments with the post op team and/or the physiotherapist?
    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 ptolemy

      Posted

      Hi well I don’t actually sleep on my stomach, just one of the many positions I try in a vain attempt to get comfortable. I was told I could sleep on either side so have tried it but wound is still a bit painful. 
    • sarah22500
      sarah22500

      Posted

      Ps yes I have the physio coming in every day to watch me do the exercises. 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy sarah22500

      Posted

      You should lie on your back and can prop yourself up with pillows/cushions to make yourself comfy. Remember tonic water has sugar in it. 

      Some ideas to help sleep:

      Keep the room dark, no tablets, mobiles, TVs etc. 

      Ice before going to bed.

      Avoid alcohol, cigarettes and foods before going to bed. Remember even chocolate has caffeine in it.

      Keep the bedroom cool. 

      Take medication with caution. 

      It is best to sleep on your back with your toes pointing towards the ceiling, do not point them inwards.

       

    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 ptolemy

      Posted

      Thanks but I have always observed all that. I can’t sleep on my back however many cushions I put there as I have spinal stenosis and ANY position involving being on my back brings on the lower back pain. I’ve even made a fist and put that behind me but it doesn’t help one bit. What is wrong with tonic water having sugar in it? I’m not diabetic?? And I don’t drink much of it anyway. I’m not saying for one moment you are wrong with your opinions on sleeping on your side but both the hospital physios and the consultant told me I could do that when he came to see me on his rounds. 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy sarah22500

      Posted

      Do you get the physio for free off the NHS? In my area you get no physiotherapy after hospital, just a load of printouts of exercises.
    • sarah22500
      sarah22500 ptolemy

      Posted

      Where do you live? I’m in East Anglia and we get ACE (Anglian Community Enterprise) - Community  Rehabilitation  Services.  They also wash legs/change stockings for us. 
    • ptolemy
      ptolemy sarah22500

      Posted

      That sounds fantastic. I phoned my local surgery and they said there was now no help available, they almost laughed when I mentioned help with stockings. I believe ACE is a social enterprise organisation and is employee owned and is run through the charity Anglian Community Trust. I think more areas of UK need something like that. The Red Cross in my area seem to have given up helping now too.
    • lisa31002
      lisa31002 ptolemy

      Posted

      Yeah, the District Nurse came twice to look at my dressing then that was it. Said they didn't have time to help with stockings. I live on my own away from remaining family, so I didn't bother with stockings, couldn't get them back on anyway. 👣

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