Things have went as well as can be expected and I'm now off the pain killers as I've no pain as such but really struggling to get to sleep while on my back. I get frustrated at this and think that's making me worse, anyone got any tips?
Nezi sleeping has been my worst nightmare I slept in the chair and wandered the whole night. T generally slept 5-8am and then maybe an hour in the afternoon I once slept 3 1/2 hours in the afternoon! I am 3 weeks post op today and am delighted to tell you that thing will get better from now on!
Having listened to everyone on this forum I decided, three nights ago to get a thick pillow and put between my legs. I gingerly rolled onto my good side, had a cushion in front of me so I could,nt roll over, and BLISS. It was amazing. Unfortunately I couldn't stay there for long as my bad hip started aching. It became easier each night, and now I can go to sleep on my side. I manage 4-5 hours! And getting better every night.
You might feel it's too early for you but it won't be long so hang in there
not having such a good night tonight, hence I'm here!😄 nice to know there is always someone to talk to. I never feel lonely
i hope you are asleep and comfortable
take care
lots of love
Carol😄 Xx
I too have used the pillow method to sleep on my (good) side. I wasn't told not to sleep on my side as I had the anterior approach. However, I found it a bit uncomfortable. The pillow helps.
I haven't ventured to my hip that had surgery. Pretty sure that would be just awful at this time.
Hope you find a way to get some sleep. If all else fails take naps throughout the day. With my ORIF last year, naps is the only thing I could manage for weeks.
Well after posting the message I think I fell asleep quite quickly and that's me just wolk up so I've had about 4 1/2 hours so not too bad, finding it hard to get some sleep in the afternoon due to the fact I'm looking after my son who is on school holidays. Just so frustrating not being able to get to sleep when do tired, I'm starting to up my walks so that might help me.
I'm still taking cocodamol before bedtime as I think this helps me get a few hours. Not easy for you with a son to look after. Good luck on your Journey to recovery.
Have a look through the other discussions in the forum as this comes up regularly and there are many tips. Also ensure you continue using your painkillers at night as any niggle will keep you awake.
good morning Nezi ... happy to hear that you got some hours of sleep !!!... I was told to sleep on my back for 6 weeks too however rules were less strict as I was shown while in the hospital, how to put pillow between my legs and turn to unoperated side .. and make sure that legs don't cross during the night ... so you see, different instructions and opinions ... but one thing is (almost) for sure, the sleeping or unable to sleep is probably one of the most frustrating part right after THR .... be gentle with your self and take it easy ... it will get better ...
how old is your son?
warm hug
renee
My son is 8 and very active so dont want to leave him all alone while i'm sleeping, i do go for a rest in bed (checking he's ok every 15-20 mins) but just to reduce the swelling in my foot and ankle which has been bad but getting better all the time, you are right that the sleeping is the most frustrating part of the THR, i feel good and the total difference in pain from 2 weeks ago is unbelievable as i was in constant pain as my hip had totally collapsed and was painfull to do almost everything. My surgeon said i was the youngest person he had given a THR by a long way but i merited it as my hip was so bad, my left leg was 2 cm shorter than my goood one giving me a bad limp, both legs are the same length and looking forward to having a better standard of living as i've missed so much of the interaction with my son over the last 3 years with my bad hip and one thing i'm looking forward to is getting down on the floor to play lego and other games with him. Holidays are also another big part of my life but recently they have become more of a chore due to sitting on a plane difficulty and not being able to do much other than laze by the pool so i have 2 trips planned for later this year which i'm extremely excited about so that keeps me going when having problems sleeping.
Hi. I'm a young hippy to with a 7yr old and 10 yr old, they break up next week. I'm now 11 days post op. Very little pain and managed to get out for walk yesterday. The hardest thing about this op for me was sleep. I always slept foetal position on left (operated side). Sleeping on back was just not working for me regardless of how many cushions I propped myself up with.
After reading many fab things on this forum I decided I would find a comfortable position and so tried different things each night. Each one was better than on back but last night clinched it, over 7 hrs straight sleep.
So here it is: I have a memory foam pillow for head. I placed normal pillow under my left knee (operated side) which raised left side off bed slightly just taking pressure off. I then leaned over to left side and wrapped pillow over left knee and rested right knee on it. My back ached slightly so placed small pillow just behind back to take weight and then with head looking to left side I suddenly felt very supported and comfortable. Actually slept in, kids were up making breakfast lol.
Now this might not work for you but took me 4 nights to get it right. Sleeping on un operated side also made operated side ache so didn't work for me. Just try different ways.
I'm hoping will still be comfortable when I get staples out next week.
Good luck with finding comfort.
Xxx
Hi Nezi,
i have been going to bed later to shorten the night. Short nap in the afternoon. Reading in bed, electric blanket, 2 panadol.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz good luck
God you will have your hands full next week, i'm glad you have found a comfortable position to sleep in, i have pillows under my operated leg just now which does raise it up slightly but still not great.Didn't get staples as my would was glued and got dresssing of 3 days ago and its looking good. I also have started walking (something i never did for years) done 1/2 a mile on Wednesday 0.8 of a mile last night using a tracker on my mobile, its raining today so dont know if ii'll get a walk tonight, also got an excercise bike but going to leave that another few weeks before starting on it, looking forward to losing some of the extra weight i've put on over the last few years while less mobile.
Yeh, tell me about it. I was still running up until Christmas this year and at that point was trying to loose weight. Only started having problems since Dec and since then I've managed to put on a stone. My diet is still very good most of the time but I put it down to just not moving as much due to pain. I'm hoping to get back to fitness and then start to shift those extra pounds.
Yes just take conformal at night time this what I have been told by the consultant
Just a little update, slept from 11pm to 3:30am up for toilet then 3:45am to 7:15am so a better night sleep last night.
Don't you just feel so much better the next day after sleep!
Glad you got some. X
Wonderful 😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴😴xx