No sleep

Posted , 16 users are following.

Hi I've posted previously about not being able to sleep as I can't sleep on my back but I think this is getting worse.

I'm 20 days post THR and lie awake most of the night. Last night I slept from 12am till 2 am I am exhausted today and feeling really down about this situation.

I cannot sleep on my back and when I do I try to turn on my side which is where I normally sleep and this wakes me up.

Ive tried more pillows, being more relaxed but nothing seems to work.

Does anyone have any other advice, I'm relatively pain free and stopped my tablets apart from blood thinners. Does this get any better? I've tried sleeping tablets but the Doctor only gave me 7 and to be honest they didn't help.

Thanks

Sue 😴 x

2 likes, 71 replies

71 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi Sue

    My husband is 4 weeks today post opp and he was having dreadfull problems with sleeping, hardly any sleep and sore back and it was getting him down but has now tried sleeping sitting up in bed with lots of pillows around him incl one in between his legs and he seem to be happy, he also has no pain now and off pain killers apart from the blood clot one he take every day, he did take Amitriptaline at night to relax him but stopped that now.

    let me know how you get on,I do feel for you as I know what hubby wen't through.

    do try sitting up, let me know how you get on.

    All the best.

    • Posted

      Thanks for your reply

      I've just had an hours sleep but I can't understand why when I am so tired I can't stay asleep at night. I know I've got another 3 weeks of this but I'm desperate to sleep on my side.

      I do use pillows to prop myself up and read but the problem is I'm too tired to do anything else but lay there and fidget.

      All the best

      Sue x

    • Posted

      You are tired because your body is using all your energy to repair itself.

      Totally normal - just give in and accept it i'm afraid.

      Graham - 🚀💃

  • Posted

    Hi Sue , you have my sympathy , no sleep makes everything else very hard to deal with. Im about 7 days ahead of you so 4 weeks tomorrow since op . Like you I just cannot sleep on my back , get awful back pain and end up just lying there fretting . I know all the very sensible advice says not to worry and just to catch up in the day but thats doesnt feel that relevant when youre lying awake worrying at 3am ! I have now gone onto my non affected side ( going against advice though ) and use a sturdy pillow folded up between my thighs to keep the top operated leg pushed out a bit - i put another pillow wedged in front if my lower half so I cant roll all the way over .that seems to be working and I,m sleeping about 5 hours . Im an early riser normally so I just get up about 5 am . You say relatively pain free - that means you still have some so do take painkillers at bed time or sbout 40 mins before so they are working once you,re trying to sleep. Sleeping tablets can help you get to sleep but dont keep you there - and as you say GP,s are very reluctant to prescribe them . I dont know what your mobility is like but a short walk before bed can help . Lavender pillows are supposed to be good as well , plus old fashioned things like ovaltine etc. i never go to sleep without reading for a bit . Cant think of anything else but hope this helps a bit xxxxxx
    • Posted

      I have a lavender spray somewhere I'll try that thanks. It is frustrating. I'm happy to sleep until 4am and will get up then but 2 am seems unreal.

      I'm a little apprehensive to sleep on my side as I'm so paranoid about dislocation. I do have pillows everywhere though.

      Thanks for your reply

      Take care

      Sue x

  • Posted

    Hi Sue,

    I can empathise with you here.  Have you tried abandoning your bed and trying the sofa or the chair?  Could you roll up a rug or find something wedge-shaped and put it under the mattress at the bed end so you are sleeping in a semi-sitting position?

    Could you turn on your side with a pillow between your knees and try to sleep like that rather than turning in your sleep and waking yourself up?  I know it's not strictly recommended (although there is advice to the contrary from some health authorities), but providing you ensure your operated leg does not cross the midline of your body it's generally okay.

    It does get better but everyone seems to cope differently.  Grab as much sleep as you can in the day.  It doesn't matter when you sleep as long as you get some at some point.  

    Above all, try not to let it get you down - I know this is hard.  You don't have to get up for work, you presumably have nowhere you have to be.  Just get into the minsdet that you are going to bed to rest rather than sleep and if sleep comes it's a bonus.

    You will get past this point.

    Cels xxx 

    • Posted

      No I don't have work at the moment but I just feel so lonely on these long nights.

      I've moved out of my partners bed as it is unfair on him as I am up and down all night.

      I tried telling myself I'm just resting and if I sleep it's a bonus it worked for a while but I'm just so restless now.

      Thanks for your help I'm a little worried about sleeping in a side position yet.

      Best wishes

      Sue x

  • Posted

    Hi Sue, 

    So not such a good morning huh ... I am sorry to hear that - Didn't have a good night sleep either - 

    I am not sure what I can tell you in addition to what you're already doing - 

    Of course 20 days post-op is still early in recovery from this major surgery - healing is taking place and will be for some time to come -

    You already mentioned that you are more relaxed about the not being able o sleep through the night, right?  You had sleeping pills and they didn't help either -

    Not much left that you can do except for letting it go - Accept that right now your

    sleep at night is interrupted - it is what it is - Take naps (guiltfree) during the day and be gentle with yourself - 

    All in all, this has been and is a very overwhelming period in your life and you are coping with it the best you can ...

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • Posted

      Thanks Renee yes I think it's abit overwhelming at the moment. My recovery is doing good apart from the lack of sleep.

      Sometimes I can't catch up through the day as the same pattern occurs.

      I know things will get better but it makes you feel low when your constantly tired.

      Sorry to hear you didn't get much sleep either.

      Here's to another try tonight

      All the best

      Sue x

    • Posted

      Well, at least you are not alone here - not much of a consolation, but still - 

      Sue, our body has gone through big trauma - major assault has taken place, so to speak - at some , deep subconscious level, a lot of processing is taking place - something has happened while you were not conscious - almost like your brain is on high alert - all this happens without you doing anything .. 

      Sometimes listening to hypnosis CD for sleeping or relaxation can help - make sure that there is no "wake-up" at the end though cheesygrin-

      try it - 

      you know that this is an international group right ? There will be always someone in the world awake, so come here and chat 

  • Posted

    Sue,

    I was likethat both times, with just a 4 week break in between when I could just about manage to get on my side.  

    I was always a 'turner', I used to toss and turn all night long (in my sleep) onto left, right, back and front.  Now after 12 weeks of enforced sleeping on my back, I actually prefer being on my back, eek  partly because my 'non-operated' side shoulder hurts from RSI with the walking stick.

    It does get a bit easier, but hopefully you won't get a  second six-week period like I did.  

    SOme find being propped up in bed helps, but I found I could lay my good leg out to the side, and flex that leg as much as I wanted, also I used to bring my knees up together just to change the position a bit.  I also used my iPod with the small in-ear headphones and some relaxing music when things got too bad.

    Best wishes

    Graham - 🚀💃

    • Posted

      Thanks Graham I think 12 weeks enforced sleep on my back would tip me over the edge and I do sympathise with you.

      If I'd have thought it through I should if practiced fir a while before my operation it might have been easier then

      I've not tried music so will give that a go as I said previously I'm too tired to read when I come to bed.

      Fingers crossed for tonight. Glad it got easier for you.

      Best wishes

      Sue x

  • Posted

    Ohhh Sue I know exactly how your feeling, I am 5 weeks post opp, and I think the lack of sleep is driving me mad, I have 2/4 hrs if I'm lucky, next day feel exhusted. Today is my first day out Socialising with my friends, going to Lunch, at the moment I really feel like cancelling.😡. 

    I have 6 pillows practically sitting up in fed, 1 under my legs 1 under feet. So So uncomfortable , in fact this has been worse than the THR ,if you find a good idea Lets us know lol , take care x

    • Posted

      Sorry you are struggling like me. Yes it's awful especially when you have somewhere to go next day. I'm suppose to be doing a little shopping today but feel exhausted. I will go though as it may help with tonight's sleep.

      I had about a week where I slept till 4am and was pleased with that and just read until about 6pm then I got up.

      I'll let you know if I find the answer. Roll on 3 weeks.

      Take care

      Sue x

  • Posted

    I dont have any suggestions but I am going through same thing. I had birmingham resurfacing 5 days ago & this is my 3rd night home. My sleep problem began my cirst night in hospital. Acter my 2nd sleeping pill I wondered what was going on. I wasnt in alot of pain, I was resting comfortably , my eyes would close but i couldnt sleep. This became the pattern during my hospital stay. I finally would fall asleep from 5-8 am every morning.

    It has gotten worse since I have come home. After two sleepless nights I finally fell asleep today from 1-6 pm. Several times each night I would pass out out only to suddenly wakeup startled. Each time I would think ok good im finally going to sleep. I would close my eyes but couldnt sleep. Before I slept today I was a walking zombie . this is dangerous especially for me. I live in apt with a roomate and my 5 yr old son. I have no help. My room is upstairs, 13 to be exact.

    Like you I cant get comfortable. My leg is so swollen to just below the knee that it is hard to move it in bed. The position I finally found most comfortable is:

    Tringular foam pad pillow between legs.

    Operated leg slightly elevated wedged against triangle pillow & a pillon outside of my thigh. 3 pillows stacked up to elevate my upper body and head to about 40 degree elevation . I put my good foot under the triangle sometimes.

    Should get interestng tomorrow when my son comes back from grandpa's. I am a 24-7 single dad.

    • Posted

      You have my sympathy Eric - i think some of your problem msy be still getting the aneasthetic out if your system so hopefully things will improve soon xx
    • Posted

      Sorry to hear you are having problems too. The pain is not keeping me awake and my legs are no longer swollen so everything is fine there. It's just such an uncomfortable position to sleep in. I'm the same I nod off then wake myself up.

      I try to stay awake through the day but it's impossible when I get so tired.

      Good luck with your son and I wish you a speedy recovery.

      I'll keep you posted if I figure it out.

      Take care

      Sue x

    • Posted

      Sleep when you can, where you can, how you can. Because if the inactivity I find no need a nap- excruciatingly boring ......

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