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No sleep

Posted , 16 users are following.

susyp
susyp

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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  • annie.conway
    annie.conway susyp

    Posted

    You need something strong to knock you out so that you can sleep.
    • susyp
      susyp annie.conway

      Posted

      I've tried sleeping tablets but they don't keep me asleep. I get to sleep but wake up all the time so I gave up on them.

      My Doctor won't prescribe any more to me.

      I'm hoping I'll find a regular sleeping pattern soon.

      Thanks for your reply.

      Sue x

    • annie.conway
      annie.conway susyp

      Posted

      I find a combo if oxynorm and stillpain does the trick. I started taking it for my hypertension headache which is worse at night. Found it helps me sleep right through.
  • Sue19622
    Sue19622 susyp

    Posted

    Hi Sue

    You sound just like me. I cannot sleep on my back either it was the most frustrating part of my recovery. I just had a book to hand or put tv on till I was sleepy. Try not to fight the frustration of no sleep just go with whatever your feeling and catch up whenever you can.

    I'm 10 weeks in now and have found this THR more frustrating ie sleep mobility etc more annoying than first one 3yrs ago.

    Best wishes to you hope you start to feel better soon

    Sue

    • annie.conway
      annie.conway Sue19622

      Posted

      There I am pretty lucky in that I can sleep on my sides now. First 2 weeks was a big SORE-no, but now, with caution, I can sleep on either side. I had anterior bthr, so both sides were out of the question those first 2 loooong weeks.
    • eric1003
      eric1003 Sue19622

      Posted

      6 days out of bhr & I finally stopped fighting not being able to sleep. I have been totally turned around since day of surgery. I dont feel sleepy until 4-6 am. Even though I'm sleepy or even exausted sometimes I dont sleep. Last night I didnt stress out about not sleeping or even try to. Your right it helps not to fight it. IIt is 7 am here now & I finally feel sleepy but in addition I'm relaxed. . That is like you said the key. I am going to sleep now but can only sleep 3 hours because my 5 yr old son is coming home. I havent seen him since day before my surgery 7 days ago.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK annie.conway

      Posted

      See, it comes eventually .....  to those who wait.

      just keep listening to your body.

      Graham - 🚀💃

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK susyp

    Posted

    Sue, almost everyone has great difficulty sleeping post THR. I cannot sleep on my back due to sleep apnea. I had to sleep sitting propped up in bed with lots of pillows for 6 weeks. Even then, I could only doze off for, at the most, 1 1/2 hours at a time. The good news for me is that I was able to do that 4 or 5 times through out the 24 hours, so my total added up to about 7 hours a day. My suggestion would be to try to make things conducive to sleeping even during the day, in a darkened room, with your phone turned off, and maybe you can catch a few more segments of sleep. Sleep is very important to our health and healing, so the more you can get, the better. Good luck!
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK AnnieK

      Posted

      Sleep when you can, nap when you need to, watch TV when you can't sleep - the repeats will bore you to sleep eek

      I used my iPod in periods when it was just too much to bear, soothing classical music was great for me.

      It's all a passing phase - don't worry about it, it will pass.

      Graham - 🚀💃

  • debbiex63
    debbiex63 susyp

    Posted

    Hi Sue

    I could not sleep on my back so slept on my non operated side from day 5 post op with a firm pillow between my legs. Took a little getting use to but worth it

    Hope you feel better soon

    Debbie x

    • susyp
      susyp debbiex63

      Posted

      Thanks my surgeon says this is a no no x
  • linda38528
    linda38528 susyp

    Posted

    Hi Sue,

    My sympathies ... you can see that a lot of us struggle with this too. And I agree with many who feel this is the worst part of recovery.

    I thought I had it licked - found the right combo of pillows and position and used one Gravol tablet about 40 min before bed. This seemed to help me through for about 5 hours at a time.

    However ... the last few nights have been especially difficult. My skin seems overly sensitive (everything drives me slightly batty), no position remains comfortable for me than 20 min and the unreasonable constant urge to use the loo (even though I stop drinking anything after 20:00). The pain is not really significant, it is more an itchy kind of ache that is very annoying (most polite term I can find).

    I am on the verge of asking my GP if there is any type of light 'anxiety' pill that might help as my sanity feels at risk ... okay ... maybe a little dramatic but I suspect you understand the sentiment.

    Hang on woman ... we must prevail.

    I like Graham's suggestion about plugging in some music .. what a wise man he is. Between him and Renée and support of so many others, we will get through this ... and hopefully still sane.

    FYI, I am in my sixth week and bravely but with much determination heading to a concert Saturday night with good friends accompanying me in the wheelchair section (too scared to attempt the crowds and stairs with my crutch) and I intend to suck in every ounce of energy from the mega-performer Garth Brooks and the crowd. This is my first real outing beyond small gatherings with friends and I am very, very excited. If I don't sleep after this event , there may not be any hope for me!

    • susyp
      susyp linda38528

      Posted

      Hi Linda yes I agree with you its affecting my sanity too. I'm very grateful as to how my recovery is going if I could just get this sleep sorted. I'll be interested to know what your Doctor says I might visit mine soon.

      Hope you have a lovely time at your concert.

      Take care

      Sue x

    • bini31328
      bini31328 linda38528

      Posted

      I hope you really enjoy your concert - how brave of you ! I dont feel ready for anything like that yet although I have been round the corner for our local pub quiz - perched on top of 4 cushions in a reserved armchair and with the support of the locals ! I do radio 4 in the middle of the night - my other half has moved into the spare room for the duration so at least I font disturb him ! 
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK linda38528

      Posted

      Linda,

      My 'wiseness' comes from having to endure all this twice in quick succession - I know just how horrible it is, but don't worry, it is totally normal, and will pass, but never as quickly as we would wish.

      For me the oddest thing is that I now actually prefer to sleep on my back eek.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK linda38528

      Posted

      I had a great time when I ventured out to a show in London with my wife, and got 'royal' treatment from the staff, I was shown to a separate toulet rather than having to queue up with everyone else for instance - so nice of them.

      Amazing what a pair of NHS crutches do for you!

      Graham - 🚀💃

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