Still can't sleep in bed after THR back in Sept. 2015

Posted , 6 users are following.

I had a right thr back in Sept. and have been sleeping in a recliner a year before and now 8 months after. Very painful to try and lay in a bed, I bought an adjustable bed base and still can't sleep in it.  Could use any suggestions.

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    That must be frustrating, Kathy.  Can you do other things you want to do?  I'm 2.5 weeks out and I have pillows under my legs, between my legs, beside my legs......they all seem to help me be comfortable.  I sleep straight through the night on my back.  Would pillows like that help you?  Good luck with it!

    • Posted

      I have them between my knees. I'm a side sleeper, I will try along side of me. Thanks for suggestion.

  • Posted

    Perhaps a new mattress. My parents went and bought me a new one because my old one was ancient and very uncomfortable. Maybe you should see a GP. Maybe sleeping tablets could help. I was taking ammitriptylne and they worked amazingly, it was a very nice sleep and no feeling groggy or awful in the morning. Its not a forever solution but it may help for a while xx
    • Posted

      I just bought a new adjustable bed with the mattress by Doc recommended. I'm just at my wits end, very tired but. I get a couple hours In recliner. Thanks for suggestions.

  • Posted

    Poor you, I know EXACTLY how you feel.  As Lesley says, creating a false base with tons of soft pillows can act as a cocoon, I ended up almost sitting up as if in pillow chair!

    now I am on week 8 and still struggle, cannot lie on either side for more than 10 minutes, but I have a long pillow (got them from lidl ages ago for the living room) either side of me, so that when I have had enough on my back I can roll almost onto front and hook the top leg on the long pillow to keep foot up too.  My word, my secret is out.......

    my bed is also rather hard, so I have put a single duvet under the mattress protector which makes it softer.

    See my tip for hot sleepers........

    happy healing,

    Jillx

  • Posted

    Hi Kathy,

    i can relate to the difficulty in sleeping positions after THR. After 3 THR I still have found that many small pillows used for positioning for comfort and pressure relief. Two under one leg and one under the other. Each releiving the pressure from the weight of my limbs which seems to need added support since THR. I must keep my heels off the bed it will cause pain in my heels on my back.  I also have a adjustable frame it can help keep pressure off the joints but not as much as I expected. Yet better than a flat bed was for me. Head raised a bit and extra small sofa pillows to support legs.

    I stil need 4-5 small sofa pillows to find a comfy spot. 

    It can be a long term issue. I hope you can find a better position for sleep with the use of extra small pillows for support . I also listen to music using ear buds on a timer to drift off to sleep. Keeps my mind off the discomfort long enough to relax.

    Also I take OTC anti inflammatory meds help the muscles to relax.

    Have you talked with ur GP, there are RX meds to relax muscles for a better nights sleep. Also serotonin supplements or eat a handful of walnuts and shot of tart cherry juice, will set the brain in motion for sleep. 

    I hope it's helps as well as turning off all lights 1 hr before bedtime. Only read a book with a soft reading light. No computer lights. Tv, these all set off sensors in the brain and will keep us awake.

    Its still a tough road for me as well.  I wake every 4-5 hours. Yet I do manage to sleep better than usual with the exta meds and pillows. 

    Also PT may help the tendons and muscles to stregthen around the implant, its only been 10 months for you. It took me nearly 2 years after the last one to sleep thru the night.Very good to keep up the exercises for core strength. The core muscles is what holds up the body.

    These are a few things that have helped me over the years. You may discover other alternatives that help you sleep better. Others will have more suggestions for u to consider as well.

    Happy Trails.

    HOPE

    • Posted

      I'm so sorry that you are having the same problems. It gets so frustrating, I have spent a lot of money trying to get a nights sleep. I will try the small pillows and let you know. Thanks

    • Posted

      I hear you about the money we can spend on things.  I feel like I've spent a fortune on trying to make my hip/knee feel better the last 5 years.  There wasn't arthritis in it til two years ago, but it still hurt and I would try every new thing out there....plus a fortune on physios, chiros, etc.  I hope those days are gone.    There are other things I'd rather spend money on!

  • Posted

    Hi kathy

    I am the same l had both hips replaced 1 in dec and 1 in february. I can go to bed as normal at night time but l wake uo every night between 2 and 4 and move to couch downstairs. I have done this since nobember last year. I think my husband has got so used to it now he expects me not to be in bed in the morning. I dunno what l am going to do in the coming months as l am getting both knee's replaced 1st one is in august. How willl l be if l can't even sleep in my bed just now it worries me.

    Laura x

    • Posted

      So sorry. To hear that you also are having a hard time sleeping. It's not easy for some of us, I have been sleeping in a recliner for almost 3 yrs and just bought an adjustable bed. I know I have to wean myself back into the bed, but it is so frustrating. I am going to try the pillows under and around me to see if that helps. Good luck with your knee surgery.

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