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SLEEPING ON MY BACK....ANY TIPS

Posted , 8 users are following.

eileen64__UK
eileen64__UK

Hi everyone, I havent been on here for a long time.  I've had 2 THR's and remember 6 weeks of sleeping on my back post op.....not easy.....but because I knew it was 6 weeks I suffered it.

My problem now is.....the 2nd THR didnt turn out right. I can no longer sleep on my left side {2 years post op}!!!!! Recently I've been sleeping on my right side but becauseI'm doing it permanently I waken up in agony.......my right shoulder is so sore because I have to lie on that side all the time.

I'm thinking the only thing I can do is go back to trying to sleep on my back again but to be honest I cant remember what I did, what pillows I used etc.

I have scoliosis as well which means If I try to lie flat its impossible because I have a slight hump in the top of my back.

All tips would be gratefully received .....please!!

Love

Eileen  UK

2 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • CelsB
    CelsB eileen64__UK

    Posted

    Hi Eileen,

    Sorry to hear of your pain.  If you think this might be a long-term problem I'd probably invest in an adjustable bed with a good memory foam mattress.   It needn't cost the earth.  Have a look on Amazon and read the reviews.  Pillows are all very well for a temporary 6 week stint of back sleeping but they're not for ever. 

    I love my 'v' shaped pillow which supports my shoulders, you can even get a full-length one, usually sold as a maternity pillow.  Obviously you are familiar with pillows under knees etc.  Just experiment and find which is most comfortable for you.

    Sleep is too important to be trifled with in the long term.  Go on, treat yourself.

    Cels xxx

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK CelsB

      Posted

      Hi Cels

      Thanks for your reply.  It is going to long term. They told me I had fractured my trocanter bone and it would never heal. I would be on crutches permanently,  Thats more than 2 years now. Its not the crutches. I can cope with them its the pain in that fracture and neither the consultant or GP can find anything to ease it.

      About 1 year ago we bought a new bed so cant afford to change it just yet. Its very comfortable and does have a memory foam mattress. I also have a duvet underneath me  LOL

      The only time I used the V shape pillow that I bought was to prop myself on the settee, feet up, to watch a particular programme. I never really used it in bed.  Would the maternity pillow not mean me lying on either side? or do you think I could lie on it.

      What way do you put you V shape pillow? I know these are stupid questions but if you dont ask you dont find out  LOL Do you have a pillow under your head and then the V shape one a bit further down?

      I dont think I ever used a pillow under your knees but have heard of it.

      Keeps your spine etc in alignment as far as I know.

      Thanks again

      Love

      Eileen  xx

    • CelsB
      CelsB eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Hi again, the full length V pillow will support you on both sides, you can use it if you're on your back, it supports your shoulders and gives you a comfy place to put your arms.  You can sleep either fully or partly on your side and tuck it under your back, it's very versatile.  Both the short and the long, my head rests in the angle of the V.  I had the short one long before my THR but bought the longer one specifically for it. Again, I got the long one from Amazon - no, I don't have shares in the place, it's just a convenient way of shopping and I love reading the reviews.

      Have a look, they might have other sleep aids for you.

      cels xxxx

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK CelsB

      Posted

      Thanks again,

      I'll give the one I've got a trial tonight.  I like Amazon as well....as you say lots of reviews on it.

      I will have a look at it...hadn't thought about it......I'm good at advising other people about things but when it comes to myself ......nothing comes to mind  LOL

      Eileen  UK

  • linda38528
    linda38528 eileen64__UK

    Posted

    Gosh I hate to hear of another person in permanent pain. It is really hard to understand why tey cannot find any relief for you.

    On the pillow front, it sounds as if Cels has you covered Eileen. I haven't used a V pillow but have heard good things about it. In any case, it sounds as you need a new pillow with better support.

    I also bought off Amazon - a superb long length memory foam pillow which helped me sleeping on my back (both legs supported lengthwise by it) and now on my side. I used to have problems sleeping on my side - but I suspect the was due to reading heavy books in bed.

    I sincerely hope you find help, and relief. I cannot get my head around why your physician/surgeon cannot find a solution to this fracture given all the materials used with prothesis including text superglue.

    Wishing we could help ... Hugs and health.

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK linda38528

      Posted

      Hi Linda

      Thanks for your reply.........everyone on here said the same thing a few years ago when this happened "there must be something they can do about it"  but all I'm told is that the muscles have stretched so far that they cannot knit again.   Meantime its sleeping at night.

      I've got scoliosis which means I need a couple of pillows..........if I try to lie flat my head wont reach the ground or bed  or whatever  I'm on.

      I brought a few extra pillows out tonight including my V shap one......cant seem to get comfortable with the V shape.........I'lll be in and out all night trying different ways   LOL. Starting off with 3 pillows but later on I might need some more around me some way.........try it and see!!!!! I probably will ned some new pillows. Got 2 which is all I use but if I need more........once I get myself sorted I'll buy new ones and try to find out if there are any better ones than I have

      Love

      Eileen  UK

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK eileen64__UK

    Posted

    Eileen, I feel so badly for you. So the fractured trochanter happened during your second THR, and it is unfixable? That is the pits. I hear that you are dealing with it, but it sounds like such a hard road!

    I get it with your sleep problems. I can't sleep on my back (apnea) or my stomach. What I do to try to make the constant side-sleeping bearable is that I have my bed (a twin) against a wall and pillows along the wall. I lie against the pillows on my left side, with a pillow between my legs. Then, during sleep when my body wants to move (as move we must to prevent bed sores), I only turn a little bit sideways, stopped by the pillows behind me, so that I am not totally on my back. Then eventually I turn again more fully onto my side. I kind of go back and forth a little bit all night, and wake up sometimes, but usually not all the way. This gives my shoulder a break and the pain isn't as bad as if I were on my side all the time. I also have a firm, special pillow that supports me higher off of my shoulders when on my side. This makes it as good as it can get for me.

    Hope you find a solution that works for you!

  • annie.conway
    annie.conway eileen64__UK

    Posted

    I would go back to see your surgeon. Agony after two years is unacceptable.
    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 annie.conway

      Posted

      I agree, go back and see them, things may of changed in this time, or a different consultant.  It's awful when people are in permanent pain.
  • renee01952
    renee01952 eileen64__UK

    Posted

    Hi EIleen, 

    I remember you from way back when and am so sorry that you are still in so much pain - Seems so cruel that there is nothing they can do to repair  the trochanter bone - did they tell you why ?   

    I think you got great tips about sleeping and pillows etc - 

    thinking of you

    big warm hug

    renee

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK renee01952

      Posted

      Hi Renee

      Yes I remember you as well ...All they told me was they couldnt repair the bone because the  muscles had stretched so far that they would never go back again. To be honest I see the X Ray but dont really understand it.

      Thatnk you everyone else for the pillow tips I'll just have to keep trying.

      Started last night with the V shape one and could not get comfortable.

      After that I tried 3 pillows... just one on top of the other if you know what I mean. I dont know what way I slept   last night but the 2 extra pillows had been trown out........Must have done that unconciously in my sleep

      I'll keep trying and keep watching this thread.

      Love

      Eileen UK 

       

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK

      Posted

      THIS IS TO EVERYONE WHO WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ANSWER MY QUESTION.

      I forgot to mention  that for a couple of months on that same leg.....I've been sore and it is a bit swollen. Sometimes its the front of my knee, sometimes the back sometimes the side of the leg  and this is most of the day {not just when I waken up I was at the dos a few weeks back and he just said

      Oh its your hamstring....because of the way you are walking

      I then saw a different GP in the same practice who said thats not hamstring......thats inflammation, take one more naproxen for about 6 weeks and the swelling will be down by then.

      Thats another cou0ple of weeks ago.  I have an appointment with the physio so hopefully she will have some ideas and poss exercises.

      Its now only 4 days until I see so counting the hours  LOL

      Love

      Eileen  UK

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