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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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  • bini31328
    bini31328 susyp

    Posted

    I have a memory foam mattress , which helps so a topper may be worth getting. But like you I jolt awake , to my shame I also wake myself up snoring ! This us my 3rd op and post op sleeping is as bad each time , too hot, too cold , uncomfy , thirsty - have a drink then need the loo, get depressed in the middle of the night , music and books help. All I can say is that it really does get better with time I promise ! At a point in the future youll wake up having slept the night through and these horrible sleepless nights will be a bad memory - hang on in there ( and theres always someone awake on this forum ) xxx
    • annie.conway
      annie.conway bini31328

      Posted

      I've always been a world class sleeper, so perhaps it's not fair for me to comment 😜
  • lors23
    lors23 susyp

    Posted

    Hi sue

    I was just saying in abother post it took me a few week before l could lie on my non operated side with a pillow between my legs. Now had both hips done but l still take pain meds just before bed and this seems to help. I am now 7 week from my 2nd trh my first was done in december but l an afraid my sleeping pattern is no where near normal i wake every couple of hours during night. If l was you l would just grab sleep while you can even if its during the day if you fall asleep take what you can get just to make up more sleeping hours. And maybe take a painkiller ot 2 before bed. I know l still need my pain meds although l am starting to cut them down l used to take them morning noon and night but cut out the noon now and lowered my dosage but its normal after hip replacement for your sleep to be awful l never even tried sleeping tablets as my doctor is terrible to get things off. So l never bothered asking he just gives me the ones that l was discharges with from hospital as he has the duscharge sheet.

    Good luck.

    I woke at 1am moved yo couch as l find it more comfortable was awake at 4 again and then woke at 7 so thats a typical night for me. I have got used to it now and sleep during day if l fall asleep.

    Sorry l have no better news but having both my hips replaced since december l have not slept normal since.

    Laura x

    • susyp
      susyp lors23

      Posted

      Hi Laura sorry to hear you are not sleeping very well. I've seen a slight improvement in the last few days. I'm either getting more used to sleeping on my back or just exhausted.

      I am more relaxed about it now day 24 post op. I am however counting down the days to week 6 when I can switch to my side. Think I'll throw a party to celebrate this Milestone lol.

      Hope it improves for you soon

      Take care

      Sue x

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK susyp

      Posted

      Sue,

      I made a point of celebrating every little milestone, it makes you think about how far you have come in the roller coaster journey.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK susyp

      Posted

      Yeah, Sue, I had a sleep party to celebrate. Sank into my side-sleeping position and nodded off into dreamland. Best party I ever attended!
  • CelsB
    CelsB susyp

    Posted

    Me and my mouth!  Boasting about how sleeping is getting easier for me and then last night had the worst night I've had since the op.  Settled down to sleep about 10pm, woke at midnight with a bad stomach.  Spent two hours in and out of the loo.  Settled back in bed exhausted but sleep would not come.  Moved onto the sofa - no difference.  Back to bed about 4am.  Slept until 6.30am so about 4 1/2 hours total.  Am grumpy and knackered.   It's a day off for me from exercise and walking with naps on the sofa if I can get them frown
    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      Dont blame you ! Im doing on average , bed at 11pm - fall Sleep ok but wake with backache at 2 am , usually get back to sleep about 3 30 then wake at 5 - give up then and read for a bit then get up with partner at 6am - im a rubbish sleeper at the best of times but this middle of the night wakefullness is the pits . I am known to have a good 2 hour nap in the afternoons though , although wont be able to do that on e back at work ! 
    • CelsB
      CelsB bini31328

      Posted

      I'm glad I'm retired Bini.  I can't imagine having to go back to work at the moment although a couple of weeks will make all the difference.  How is your wound today?
    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      No choice re work I,m afraid Cels , got a mortgage to pay and as I work in the private sector paid sick leave is limited ! When i had my first op I was with the NHS and had 4 months on full sick pay which was better , though to be honest Im fed up with my own company and cant wait to get back - have a very supportive team so I reckon it,ll be Ok and I,ll make sure I only do 8 hrs rather than my usual 10-12 ...... Plus will only do 3 days the first week Wound still leaking overnight although not dramatically - i,ll change dressing later today but glad am seeing Consultant tomorrow xx
    • CelsB
      CelsB bini31328

      Posted

      Yes, that us know how that consultation goes.

      I think when you sit at home day after day it's easy to focus on every little twinge and ache.  Work will take your mind off that.  I might not be going back to work but I'll be so glad when I'm able to drive again and my life resumes some normality xx

    • bini31328
      bini31328 CelsB

      Posted

      Thanks Cels , I will let you know what he says , and yes , focusing on other peoples far worse problems at work is a good way to take my mind off things . I dont drive so other half will drop me off on his way to the station each morning and my lovely boss will give me a lift home - luckily it,s only 10 mins away 
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK CelsB

      Posted

      The last couple of weeks really made a huge difference for me - leading up to the 12 weeks post-op point.

      Walking was so much easier, more confidence, better posture, and able to tackle rough ground OK on my own.

      Bini, Hope your wound stops leaking, it is unpleasant I know.  My first one leaked badly, the second one hardly at all.

      Graham - 🚀💃

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