It's been one month since total hip replacement and i am a belly sleeper. Nights have been awful sleeping on my back. I experience extreme stiffness in my legs and I have been told to switch it up by sleeping on my side. I wake up every hour or so and find it very hard to stretch out the stiffness, so i get up and walk around for about 5 minutes. it works until the next hour......anyone have any other suggestions to help stiffness?
I had my op in Nov 14 and I too am a belly sleeper who could not sleep at all on my back. To me, the reason why they tell you to sleep on your back is to make sure that your legs can't cross the mid line. I have been sleeping on my belly since 1 week post op. At first, I just crawled into the bed from the bottom and lay down. I decided to ask my physio why this option isn't suggested and he said it was in case you crossed your legs during the night - well I didn't!
Thank you for your response.....so i'm assuming you just crawled out of bed the same way you got in????
If you haven't tried one already, I suggest you try a memory foam mattress topper. I am also a front sleeper and I stuck it out for 6 weeks after my first hip. After my second hip (4 months later) I stuck it for 5 weeks then carefully turned over and was OK. As has already been said, the most important thing is not to cross your legs but if you turn carefully it's easy enough to avoid this.
AgW
AgW, This has been my first smile about sleep in a month. Thank you for your response.
Yep 
I am going to try this tonight..... :-)
Hi Ginny
I was told it had to be 6 weeks minimum before I could sleep on anywhere other than my back
I have scoliosis {C shape curve in my spine} and found it very hard but they said keep trying
It went over eventually
Love
Eileen UK
Thank you Eileen, I guess two more weeks isn't gonna be that bad to wait....I've waited this long. How long has it been since u had your surgery?
Hi Ginny
My 2nd THR was jan 2014.......13 months ago!
Eileen UK
Hi there I like to go to sleep on my side but cant then have to sleep on my back with as you say I get stiff. I am not looking forward to my op as I am sooooooooo scared as I suffer from anxiety. Did you have to have injections as a blood thinner? I am almost tempted not to sleep at night and just sleep sitting up on the bed then walking around etc, as its the night time that frightens me with a DVT regards amandah
Amanda, dont have anxiety over getting anxiety.....lol. i take valum for my anxiety. it does calm me down. no, i did not get injections as a blood thinner. doctor prescribed xarelto. then, insurance company wouldnt pay for it anymore (which you need 35 days post op), so he put me on asprin therapy. not good to not sleep at night, your mind needs to rest even if the stiffness sets in....i learned that. I do ankle pumps before attempting to get up.... it can play mind games with you, but eventually i believe we will win. good luck to you.
Eileen, realistically, how long before you felt "normal" ???
I can only say it gets better with time so don't worry. I stareted slleping on my side after 6 weeks (once I had got rid of the blasted socks !!) Sleep with a cushion between your legs
Good luck
Good Morning Ginny. Thank-you for your reply.I am going to see one of the Gps this week, who I get on with & she knows what I am like. I am thankful I am going into the Nuffield, as I want people around me afterwards. Even though I will have my own room. I can take my healing crystals in with me & my Cd s etc. I have a nasty corn on my toe, which I have to show to the doc. Sorry to moan. How are you feeling? Regards Amandah
How long has it been since your surgery trevor?? i hated the compression socks also! lol
Amanda, had a better night last night. Took some advice from other "hippies" on this sight, still Slept on my back, put a pillow under operated leg from knee down and put 2 pillows under my head. I did wake up every 2 hours or so, but with not as much stiffness. was very careful to drink plenty of water during the day. HOpefully, i will still feel the same tonight.
Hi there Ginny, I have changed my bedroom round, so I will get into my King size bed with good leg and using a scarf to raise the bad leg up into bed. I do usually like to sleep on my left but that is not happening. So I have been good and sleeping on back. Did you have to have injections? I am dreading them as I am just sooooooooo nervous. I am a carer for my Hubby. This week I am going too see the GP to chat with her as my anxiety is through the roof & I feel crap inside. Sorry to moan. I think everyone will be fed up with me. I am getting all the care we need as I cant cope & will not be able to . I dread the tummy jabs and would prefer an oral medication . Regards Amandah