The biggest hurdle we are facing is the fatigue factor. Can anyone tell us how it's possible to get a good nights sleep when every time i roll over the pain wakes me up? And going to the bathroom every 3 hours from having drunk so much water to stay hydrated has its own interruptions. Recovery is hard enough without trying to overcome fatigue also. What have you all found successful?
Got the same problem, I am sleeping on my back as ordered yes and having to go to toilet every hour or so, not worked out the answer as yet. Sleeping pills do not work on me. Been getting up and making cups of tea at three in the morning it's really tiring.
How long since your operation?
I found fatigue and sleeplessness were certainly the most presistent factors in early recovery. If you are in pain when rolling over, your body is telling you not to roll over. I know sleeping on your back is very unpleasant - after all I had two sessions of 6 weeks of it, with just 4 weeks of almost normal sleeping between them.
I found I needed frequent naps during the day. During the night I used my iPod with relaxing music in between those frequent trips (hourly to begin with) to the bathroom..
Recovery is a long process, and I feel I am still recovering. My operation was 10 months ago, and my revision almost 8 months ago.
Best Wishes
Graham
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh ... what did I do there? Must be a full stop without a space after it.
I used to place pillows either side of me so that I couldn't roll over. Also, elevating your legs with other pillows helps make it very difficult to roll anywhere. As for sleep, well, I had nerve damage so the very strong pills knocked me out. Wouldn't recommend nerve damage though. I avoided drinking too much at night and that stopped the bathroom problem. Drank like a fish in the morning. Reading a book last thing at night seems to make me sleep like a log too. All the best!
I had my THR on 7/25, it obviously is a common problem.
I slept on my non-surgical side, so no pain. I put some head phones on and the music helped my sleep a bit better.
As my recovery continues my sleep has gotten better.
Good Luck
Lack of sleep seems to be really common. I hope you don't have restless legs to go with it.
I hold off on fluids for the last couple of hours before bed, which has helped reduce the need to get up.
I have been given Zimovane by my GP today, to see if that will help. I don't really want use any more medication, but I really need the sleep.
My only options are on my back or sleeping on the operated hip. I can only lie in my hip for a few minutes at a time as it just gets too uncomfortable. I still have dressings and stitches in place, which feels like they are part of the problem. They all come off on Monday.
The paperwork I have from the hospital tells me not to sleep on the non operated side, but annoyingly doesn't say why.
I am seeing the physio and consultant again next week, so I am going to ask. I know full well I could sleep on that side.
Cups of tea not a good idea.Tea is a diuretic,makes you pee,and increases dehydration.
Try to make drinking water a habit before bed.
Joyx
Hi Adam,
They tell you that because if the knee of your op leg slips forward it might cross the midline of your body, a dislocation risk. A nice chunky pillow between your knees will lessen the risk. I turned on my side after a couple of weeks, although I had been told I should lie on my back for 6 weeks. I just couldn't sleep like that and anyway, I found that any movement of my op leg woke me up - a warning sign I think.
Cels x
Thanks Cels
It's a shame they didn't explain that. I have plenty of pillows that I can use to prevent my leg slipping. It might reduce the need for sleeping tablets.
I have my wife's maternity pillow, which is a massively oversized corner cushion. The two arms are as long as the bed. And its quite comfortable to cuddle up to with one leg of the cushion between my legs.
Hi Tricia I can relate to your message.
To sleep I prop my pillows around me almost like an armchair and usually manage now at 8 weeks post TRHR a few hours sleep.
During the night frequent visits to loo are worse if I lye flat. I asked Registrar about this he said nothing to do with op. I asked the nurse and she feels that the lying on my back as we do puts pressure on the bladder.
Good luck ! 👍
Thanks gloriajoy, yes I do know tea is bad for me, now going to try sleep more propped up and less drinks during the evening, my nurse friend told me lying down on ones back makes the bladder overwork. Oh what an exciting life. I am only two weeks post op. My white socks itched so badly I found a way to remove for a few hours early this morning with the aid of long handled shoe horn. X
I spoke to my doc at 2 weeks when I got my staples out and he said sleeplessness was common . I had no restrictions so I could sleep on my non operated side with pillows between my legs . I found I started sleeping better at about 4 weeks. Hang in there it will get better.
Hi Tricia, lack of sleep is the biggest bugbear. The reason you get up to pee after lying down is because of the fluid in the operated leg. I was told to go to bed every afternoon for 2hours even if I didn't sleep. I found being propped up plus a rolled up towel. In my lower back as had terrible back pain. Sadly for me my sleep didn't return to normal for many months. Going on a long haul flight last month cured me. Good luck with speaking to your consultant x
I sleep on my back and my back right around the tailbone bothers me. Sleep does suck!! I put a pillow the length of my legs under me so they are sightless elevated. Only thing is it's hard getting off of it when I gotta go to the bathroom. It's no fun! And trying to get back on the pillow is hard too!! I manage about 4 hrs sleep. The another 1 1/2 -2 hrs more. Maybe an afternoon nap but lately I can't get comfortable. Leg feels so tight and like a pulling sensation too. 😫😫
I have found an afternoon rest helps the most. Just a lie down even if you can't sleep. Drinking tonic water with quinine seems to have improved things today too.
I am sleeping on my back only, wake at 6.30am get up have a coffee, take medication and then go back to bed about 9.30 am and sleep another 1-2 hrs, on waking do my exercises, shower, get dressed.
In the afternoon go for a short walk and yes I fall asleep again for another hour...
I had bilateral hip replacement on the 11 August so only 3 weeks post op. So I take sleep when it comes.
Hi tricia....well hate to sound like a spoil sport and perhaps some of the more seasoned hippies on here will have some good advice, but for me the only thing I can say is "time". Time seems to make all the little annoyances go away eventually. And at the time they sure don't seem little, but what you are describing we all go through. Fernlady just posted a good post on the "sleep club" advice for people who are trying to sleep at night but can't. I wish I had some better information for you...The bathroom thing will eventually fade away also. I am assuming you are still pretty early on in your recovery from the sounds of it. Trust me it does get better. Wishing you well and a quick recovery,....Yes the fatigue is rough, dealing with that myself right now. I have been taking me a nap in the afternoon because I just get so drained. Hugs...Barb
hi tricia,
so much about the not-being-able-to-sleep - it is so annoying and frustrating isn't it - I stopped making a big deal of it and whatever happened was fine with me - it is exhausting -
I think you might feel tired or that you get tired easily, for some time to come -
you juts had major invasive surgery and healing takes a lot of energy - the cutting of muscles, tedons, violently removel of hip bone, cutting bones , the banging and sanding and sawing and placing the hardware to fit .... whoa ...
while healing and reparing this onslaught, your body is alsdo dealing with realligning, adjusting and what not - plus they ask you to exercise and walk around ... goodness ... very overwhelming -
at some point, just surrender - acknowledge that this is how you feel, tired, fatigued, exhausted - and it is OK ... allow your body to do her job without stressing too much about it -
I don't know what else to tell you - cherish every moment you feel at peace and make it last longer ...
big warm hug
renee