I’m just five days out from thr surgery and wondered if anyone had tips for sleeping.

Take some type of proton pump inhibitor for the reflux.  Also, try melatonin as a sleep agent.  I used sedative hypnotics for a month and switched to melatonin.  I wouldn’t quit the pain meds so early.  Keep the door for them open for days with lots of activity.  I quit mine after a month but two days ago had some thigh pain that required one.  Your choice.

Hi Kim

THR back mid-November 2017. Like you I struggle with getting off to sleep while lying on my back. The advice from my surgeon and the physios was that I could side sleep if I wanted as long as I kept a pillow between my legs to prevent my legs crossing over. I started side sleeping on my non-operated side about a week after surgery. Still not quite lost the tenderness in my scar area so not able yet to sleep on the operated side.

I have also read as Ducksoup suggests that melatonin is a good option so that might be worth exploring.

As has been said many times - we are all different and heal at different rates so be patient and you'll come through it in time

I am a side sleeper and cannot sleep on my back at all. I started sleeping on my non-op side the day after surgery with a pillow settled between my knees. I found that a regular bed pillow was bulky and uncomfortable, but a throw pillow from the sofa was the perfect size and had more support. I slept that way for three months and after about 4 weeks was also able to sleep on the surgery side if I was careful getting myself into that position.

As for pain meds, I continued to take one at bedtime for about 4 weeks. That seemed to help me get to sleep. Good luck!

I also have a problem sleeping on my back but I elevate my head a bit and it seems to help.  I suffer from s apnea and snore a lot but when I elevate my head it seems to clear my windpipe.  I’m 8days in and feeling better every day.  I can now lift my surgical leg up and put it on the bed without any assistance.  I feel like I could almost walk without a walker but don’t.  If this is TMI let me know,

I slept in a recliner for almost 2 weeks. I also have acid reflux (no meds, watch what I eat usually) so it was good for that. Made it a lot easier, too, to get up instead of having to lift the heavy leg, sit on edge of bed, and get up. Good idea, too, to put ice on the swelling area for about 20 minutes before you go to sleep. Pain meds can help, too, especially in early stages of recovery. Dosage for mine was "every 4 hours as needed" but I took them no more often than every 5-6 hours. Took one before going to bed which made a big difference. When I got off them at about 2+ weeks, I took Tylenol if needed.

Recovery takes time. Not everyone is the same with that.

Hi Kim,

I have had success rotating from my back to my good side.  Try it!

Steve

I had never slept on my back before but have made that transition. At 8 weeks post-THR, I am still sleeping on my back. For the accid reflux, which I also have, I take a prescription every morning and avoid triggering foods, especially in the evening. I bought a wedge bed pillow that is a life saver as it keeps my upper body elevated properly--not just my head. For the sleep issues, which I also have had my whole life, suggest listening to a sleep/meditation app - I use one called Sleep Easily Meditation by Shazzie. It works extremely well. G ood luck!