Sleep or not sleep

Hi Andy - I am 3 1/2 weeks post op FHR right side - I am not enjoying sleeping on my back but for the first week I proped myself up on pillows as lying flat was seriously no fun - and then put a pillow under my right leg and slept with it bent - much more comfy - have you tried this?? Nightmare with no sleep though I do sympathise with young children myself!!!! Try taking some pain meds before bed and see if this helps make you more comfortable?? Good luck - hope you manage to find a solution soon!! 

I had a fairly easy recovery, but the nights were terrible! I used to get to sleep ok, but then wake up a couple of hours later... I used to stroll around on my squeaky crutches, trying to loosen up. Used to have back ache every morning.  Started sleeping on my non operated side after 6 weeks, but it was months before I was on my operated side. It will get better, hang on in there. 

I was the exact same for about 3 weeks and so were the 2 other patients who had their surgery at the same time. We are all sleeping well now (5 weeks post op). I'm afraid it seems to be one of the things we just have to tolerate to benefit in the long run. You WILL sleep better soon. 

I wasn't a good sleeper before surgery anyway because of pain in both hips. Now, however, trying to sleep on my back is definitely a challenge. I have found out how to make myself more comfortable,using pillows. I have one, nice, plump pillow at the top of the bed. Below that I have a flatter one. On top of these I put two pillows, lengthways, just overlapping at the top and with space at the bottom - you know how they do them in hospital - and this seems to help. When I get into bed I hoist myself up with my lower back onto the bottom pillow and am kind of snuggled between the two lengthways pillows. If I want to watch TV or read I put another pillow under my head but I take this out when I'm going to sleep.

In hospital I was told I could sleep on my non-operative side whenever I feel comfortable. The woman beside me actually lay on her side the night after surgery and said she felt great. I don't feel ready for that yet but it might be worth a try for you.

Good luck!

I found this on Youtube and find it really helpful for pain and sleep.

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Hi Andy. (Aka zombie). I say this because I used 'exactly' the same phrase only a week ago! I'm a 57yrold female 2wks post-op THR. Came home from hospital day3 and then spent the next week only catching short spells of sleep. This is my 2nd THR, my first was done 10yrs ago so I knew about sleeping on your back! This wasn't a problem as I had trained myself from the first hip op. Now, I had to think of ways to make myself 'comfortable' as like you as I was getting a bit stir-crazy. I used 'trial' and 'error'. Stuffed pillows along both sides of hips, put leg up slightly 'higher' than usual, put small pillow under my back,lge pillow between my legs resting on non op side (this was done VERY carefully but I was desperate & 'I' was told I Cld), etc. if it worked.. Woo hoo, if not I changed again. Every day for me has gotten better as I lie down when I want, I sleep whenever I can and I keep an active healthy attitude to my recovery. One thing I have learnt from other THR patients is that we all heal differently and we are only given 'guidelines' to our recovery dependant on our surgeons! I had literally stopped meds by day6 but with the lack of sleep I used 1 oxy per day for the next 3days and it helped 'me'. I don't take anything now and I sleep for about 4-5hrs and sometimes a few nana naps throughout the day. Hope you find your solution soon.

I wish you a speedy recovery Andy.