Not Sleeping

Hi I'm 14wks tkr & still not sleeping properly. Can't sleep on side for longer than bout 15mins then knee/leg starts throbbing. Tried pillows between knees & under but makes no difference. Have to sleep on back, but still wake up bout every 2-3hrs as I get stiff & mouth gets dry. Taking co dydramol & sleeping tabs b4 bed, still doesn't help a great deal. This is jus so much fun!

7 weeks for me fay and yes, it is a nightmare managing sleep. As soon as we get comfortable, the knee has other ideas. My op leg cannot stand any touch of bedding and lying there all night with the leg out of the covers was not great, I'd be shivering as I feel the cold anyway and the ice packs help the knee but gave me chills.

?What has helped fo me was buying a bed cradle that raises the duvet off legs but means I am not cold any more. That has increased the sleep times quite a bit, though still up a few times with one thing or other, I seem more able to get back to sleep. Of course, time is helping as well perhaps. But seeing that other people still have these problems further on, I think it was worth buying the cradle.

?I've also put a tv in the bedroom and put it on as a distraction if cannot sleep. It seems counter to advice about good sleep practice but it does actually help me to focus on somthing else than the knee.  Luckily my husband can sleep through anything so it does not wake him!

?I havw good quality lavender oil and put a few drops under the pillow as this can help with relaxing and I have magnesium skin spray that helps with the twitching and cramps in the leg. The volterol cream for rubbing around knee if pain persists.

?I'm still exhausted all day and need naps. The housework is piling up although family do the essentials when they can. I tried cooking some casserole yesterday and was worn out and knee was worse after due to standing and walking for longer. My elderly Mum is staying with us as she is ill as well. It is an uphill battle but I guess we will get there eventually. The loss of sleep does make it all so much harder. Take care and fingers crossed for better nights.

 

Decent sleep is always a problem. I'm not a back sleeper. And here I was stuck there with dry snoring mouth and an aching back. Helped once could turn on my side. Then a few weeks later that crazy awful nerve pain kicked in. The healing of those along the suture line about drove me insane. Pills, ice, elevate did little. Bed clothes and sheets touching it was the worst. BUT there is help. Try wrapping your knee in a soft flannel or even an Ace type bandage...not tightly just soft compression. I found a YouTube video where a guy wrapped it in plastic wrap. What the heck? Gave it a try. First good night sleep since before surgery. It seems the light compression buffers the nerves from those tortuous butterfly wings. Good luck!

I think really the better question would be. . .Is there any TKR patient out there who has NOT had problems sleeping!  It seems to affect pretty well all of us!