Had THR 2 weeks ago, pain not a problem but sleeping on my back is getting me down. I know about the sleeping on side with pillows but had stitches out on Wednesday and saw my surgeon who said to sleep on my back for another 4 weeks. So not getting much sleep as its sooo uncomfortable and feeling quite fed up and low. Any help please!
Hi Susan, Try propping yourself up a bit with another pillow, so that you are not lying so flat on your back, it may help a bit. Another thing I learned was to roll a towel up and put it underneath my knees to make my knees feel a bit more comfortable as instead of being poker straight my legs were more relaxed. Don't know whether these suggestions will work for you but they might be helpful.
Thanks Barbara
I found a memory foam mattress a godsend I know that sound s expensive but a topper is really affordable and really helpful, I find myself sleeping on my back even now 16 weeks post op good luck and a speedy recovery 😃
Thanks Victoria
Hi Susan,
I had the same problem, I bought whats called a pregnancy v shaped pillow, it's very comfy , you just cocoon yourself in it, and put a pillow under your knees, with the pillow all round you it feels more normal to be on your back, also I used to bend out my non opp leg to the side the pillow was support for this, hope this helps, good luck,
Lynne. PS. you can get the pillow off ebay
Cheers Lynne
It's not just about comfort though is it? I found that I just wasn't tired enough to sleep due to lack of exercise. I took prescribed stuff to help sleep. Strong painkillers also melt away discomfort and induce a relaxed state. It's not everyone's choice but laying there hour after hour would have sent me nuts. And I didn't become addicted either.
Yes agree with juliette if your not doing anything all day you don't use any energy, it is difficult I found myself reading at 4 in the morning on a regular basis .....
Hi
Yes it is a nuisance....we all feel the same.
I was propped up and had pillows on either side of me.....it changed every night to be honest. I just kept try to find what was the most comfortable position....no wonder I moved into the spare room
Can you have a catnap in the afternoon or any time you feel a bit tired?
I read during the night, listened to my relaxation CD {with earplugs} that helped a bit.
Good luck ...just keep trying various things. i have a memory foam mattress but had it before my 2nd THR. I also have a V shape pillow....got to admit i didnt find that any benefit then......you might.
I find it great now it I want to put my feet up on the settee, watch TV for a while, its lovely and comfortable for that. It stays behind the settee 
Love
Eileen UK
It;s for the best that you sleep on your back for the first 6 weeks at least, use some pillows to prop yourself up in a semi sitting up, your body will let you know when it's safe to sleep on your side but do use a pillow between your knees. Am 9 months pre op and am just about sleeping on the op side but not lieing on it for long, i prop up the side to make myself comfortable,
Hi Susan please could you explain what sleeping on your side with 2 cushions is please ?
I'm 10 days post op and fine till I go to bed when I have extreme pain in my other leg which wakes me up once I've managed to get to sleep. I am getting stiffer and stiffer so when I get up for loo and in morning I can hardly move. I was having liquid morphine in hospital but the codeine and paracetamol I'm having don't touch it. I have previous damage to my spine which I can only assume is why I'm having this problem sleeping on my back. My surgeon said he can't help me and I have to see my gp as its a separate problem, which is fine when I am able and back walking again. I didn't have this problem pre op.
Yeah some people suggested laying on your good side with pillows between your legs to keep the alignment correct. I've heard that this is good, however when I saw my surgeon last week after having my stitches out, he said to keep laying on my back till 6 weeks and I suppose you should listen to your surgeon. So I've got another 3 weeks of awful nights sleep. Hey ho !!
Hi susan, thank you for your reply. It sounds good, but agree better go with what the surgeon says.
I'm OK during the day, its the night time, I dread, half the night sitting, half laying flat, then such pain in the morning cos I've been immobile. Sounds like everyone has similar probs with laying on back. I'm on countdown too, I'm on my 11th day, have wound check tomorrow so will ask questions then, let you know if I find out anymore, I'm counting to 14 days first, then 4 weeks eek!
Oh Christine, it's so good to hear that I'm not the only one in so much discomfort at night. Like you I'm on countdown, 3 weeks till I can lay on my side, take these awful support socks off etc. Keep in touch and let me know if you get any good tips xx
Will do Susan, I'm compiling a list of questions as we speak to ask tomorrow, I probably won't get any different answers, but I'll try any way. I agree, its helpful to know you're not the only one having these problems. I expect like everything else, in 2-3mths time we'll have forgotten all about these initial difficult weeks.
I have had a lot of back surgery & pain also and the only way I can sleep on my back is with gentle elevation- think pillows- under my knees. I never lie down flat except for a brief moment!
i am a week post op so just feeling out he situation myself.
Best wishes
So how did you get on yesterday? Did you get any new answers to anything? I sort of had a better night last night, in total I had 8 pillows in various places, kicked the husband into the spare room. I think this is the way to go hahaha! Xx
Lol Susan, I live on my own, which I think is probably a good thing in this instance. Unfortunately I didn't really get any answers, only that the nurse thought my surgeon said you could lie on your side a bit with pillows between your legs as you mentioned. Were you laid on your side a bit last night ? I tried pillow under my knees but didn't seem to make any diff, where were your pillows ? I am 14 days post op tomorrow (not that I'm counting ... Much lol) thought may be it would be safer to wait till after that milestone. I now have radio on, so wake up later and turn off and read a book till I litrrally fall asleep, at least it gives me something to look forward to when going to bed as I dread it otherwise.
Hi
I was told that when I was trying to lie on my side for the first time it had to be on the operated side {this was afgter the 6 weeks} It was sore
The reason being if you lie on your good side with the op one on top.....in the night it may slip over your body and then the chance of dislocation
Wheras if you lie on your operated side.....if you can......if the other leg slips over the top during the night it doesnt matter.
Love
Eileen UK