Post Op Sleeping Position
Posted , 8 users are following.
I am beginning to see the wisdom of practicing sleeping on one's back pre op. It may mean a couple of bad nights, but at least, over time, it will become the norm, and hopefully, the body will adjust. My problem is that my Maine Coon, may leap on top of me. She is a "whopper" so I may have to keep her out my bedroom for the first few nights, post op! I have read websites that say that it is possible to sleep on the unoperated side, with a bolster between the legs so that the operated leg is kept in the right position, but again, the wisdom of this is up for debate.
Ear plugs sound to be a good idea, to screen out any background noise, and my Kindle will be a good "screen" with earphones, of course!
I am, of course, pre op, so do not fully understand what is considered to be the "norm" in terms of patients' expereinces for the first few days in hospital post op. It rather looks as though a lot of post op care and monitoring depends on the patient's general state of health, pre op, and any extenuating medical circumstances that require extra care and vigilance.
I am "psyching" myself up for almost anything, at this point! I do not do well without at least seven hours' sleep per night, and it does sound as though sleep deprivation whilst trying to recover in hospital is a necessary "nuisance!"
0 likes, 53 replies
AnnieK susie74530
Posted
I am literally unable to sleep on my back. Even when I am awake and on my back, I have trouble breathing properly. So post-op I had to sleep propped up with a bunch of pillows at my back and sides to support me. Needless to say, I didn't sleep well at all. Once I was out of the hospital, I managed to get approximately 7 hours per day, but it was broken up into 4 or 5 sleeps.
If I ever have to have another hip replacement or revision surgery, I will be going berfore the operation to a sleep specialist for a diagnosis and a sleep aid (CPAP machine or whatever else they recommend) to help me sleep on my back.
I did try sleeping on my side at around 4 weeks post-op because I was so desperate, and I had pillows between my legs. Yes, I slept for a longer time and that was good, but I had so much pain upon waking up that I didn't try it again until I got the ok from my surgeon at 6 weeks. When I tried side sleeping then, I was just recovered enough so that I did not have that extra pain.
susie74530 AnnieK
Posted
In my original post on the subject, I had said that I thought it would be prudent to get used to sleeping on my back so that it was one hurdle out of the way. I did manage a couple of nights a few weeks back, and found that with a pillow under my knees to relax my back, and my sleep medication, I went through the entire night without any problem. However, this has been discussed by another member of the forum as not making one iota of difference to the eventual outcome post op. Must admit, that I have diffculty accepting this asit would seem to be to be a common sense approach to the post op R & Rs!
Again, I believe it comes down to a question of attitude and individual circumstance.
I am going to give it another go, and of course, right now, I have the option of turning on my side! I wont post op, though!
rose0000 susie74530
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AnnieK susie74530
Posted
susie74530 AnnieK
Posted
I have never had the least suspicion that I suffered from sleep apnea. It never entered my mind! I do have knowledge of the condition, though.
Best regards,
AnnieK susie74530
Posted
jennifer531 susie74530
Posted
Tomorrow will be 3 weeks post op for me. I am 44 and was in pretty good shape prior to my THR on my right side. I didn't practice sleeping on my back but was unhappy about the thought of having to do so after surgery. I must say it has been easy though. I still sleeping with my right leg propped up. I make sure the foot is not just hanging because I found that to be uncomfortable. From time to time I can lay on my left, unoperated side, but find it becomes uncomfortable after about 20 minutes.
I found ice packs to be very helpful for the first 1 1/2 weeks. I wish I would've used them sooner in the hospital because they helped me find relief so I could sleep. Sleeping in the hospital is always hard because they are always coming in for different reason. Now I use heat sometimes for the muscles that ache (my knee and foot mostly). I still use a cane because without it I have quite the limp, but it is still pretty early in recovery for me.
Ask me any questions that I may be able to answer for you. I do live in US and have noticed certain aspects are different in the UK, but I will share any help I can. This is an awesome forum for answers and support. Keep coming back!
Jen
susie74530 jennifer531
Posted
It has been lovely hearing from you as I spent most of my adult life in America. New York and then San Francisco.
Three weeks is quite early in terms of recovery time. I don't know if it is permitted, but can you put a pillow under your knees, because that will allow your back to relax and lie flatter. I will pick up your tip about the frozenn peas, as it looks as though my op may not take place until May/June, and June in the UK can be like Manhattan, mid Summer, but I don't have the Hamptons to escape to!!!
I was hospitalised twice in San Francisco, so I have experience of US hospitals. Last time I was hospitalised in the UK was way back when I had my daughter.
It will be very interesting exchanging anecdotes with you about the different aspects! Where in the US are you?
My best wishes to you in your recovery.
renee01952 susie74530
Posted
Interesting how you are gathering all this information to psych your self up for THR surgery in the future -
Experiences are personal and you will find that your experience will be different from any of us -
I didn't find this forum until 3 weeks post-op from 1 st THR because of groin pain and I wanted to find out what could be the cause -
I was allowed to sleep on my operated side while still in the hospital - they showed me how to put the (regular) pillow between my legs, position the operated leg and how to turn - I had a choice, so to speak -
SLeep was elusive for other reasons, like going to the bathroom bizillion times during the night for instance and perhaps some discomfort ...
I live alone, lived through 2 THR's - it doesn't make me a hero but it is doable - with 2nd THR the location where I live had no grocery delivery !!!! not even from the biggest Grocer ....
you will see, dear Susie, it will be just fine ....
Are you psyching your self up for the worst case scenario ?
try to not put past bad experiences in your future darling ...
angel blessings
big warm hug
renee
susie74530 renee01952
Posted
Many thanks for the reassuring hug.
Yes, I do think that some of my attitudes and the reasons I am gathering information on peoples' individual experiences are because of past bad bad experiences with surgery.
What I have found is exactly what you have said, that they are all different, for a variety of reasons, that are not necessariy disclosed on the site.
I was interested to learn that youhad been given option onsleeping positions, because I had read somewhere that it is ossible to sleep on the unoperated side with the use of a long bolster to ensure that the operated leg is in the correct position. I think UK hospitals do not rate this as it is very easy then to move arond in the night and land up in the wrong position.
The loo trips are going to be a nuisance, but my guess is that the kidneys need to flush out all unnecessay toxins, but I have seen no reference here to making up the loss of alll these fluids with salt tablets. Night sweats are another flushing mechanism.
The consultant that I am seeing was a recommendation, and he has a very good reputation, so no worries there.
One reason for my concern is that I feel that in San Francisco, I was used as a guinea pig without my authorisation or knowledge. The consultant that I originally consulted recommended a cosmesis on my third finger of my dominant hand. The usrgery took place under a local anaesthetic and sedation. I found that the the entire joint had been removed and the tip of the finger, bent at a 45 degree angle. It had to be revised, some momths later, losing some more length from the finger. I was told later, that surgeon one was trained to operate on feet!
Thank you for your support and concern, all the best,
Susie
Rocketman_SG6UK susie74530
Posted
It was a gentle laxative with the addition of rehydration salts.
Graham
susie74530 Rocketman_SG6UK
Posted