I’m just five days out from thr surgery and wondered if anyone had tips for sleeping

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I’ve never been able to sleep on my back, but found that the first couple of nights I did alright.  I decreased pain meds today and am having little pain during the day, but still a fair amount of swelling and numbness/tingling, which makes it hard to sleep.  Anyone have tips?  The back sleeping is impossible.  Aside from the discomfort, I wind up with acid reflux as well.

2

Take some type of proton pump inhibitor for the reflux.  Also, try melatonin as a sleep agent.  I used sedative hypnotics for a month and switched to melatonin.  I wouldn’t quit the pain meds so early.  Keep the door for them open for days with lots of activity.  I quit mine after a month but two days ago had some thigh pain that required one.  Your choice.

3

Hi Kim

THR back mid-November 2017. Like you I struggle with getting off to sleep while lying on my back. The advice from my surgeon and the physios was that I could side sleep if I wanted as long as I kept a pillow between my legs to prevent my legs crossing over. I started side sleeping on my non-operated side about a week after surgery. Still not quite lost the tenderness in my scar area so not able yet to sleep on the operated side.

I have also read as Ducksoup suggests that melatonin is a good option so that might be worth exploring.

As has been said many times - we are all different and heal at different rates so be patient and you'll come through it in time

4

I am a side sleeper and cannot sleep on my back at all. I started sleeping on my non-op side the day after surgery with a pillow settled between my knees. I found that a regular bed pillow was bulky and uncomfortable, but a throw pillow from the sofa was the perfect size and had more support. I slept that way for three months and after about 4 weeks was also able to sleep on the surgery side if I was careful getting myself into that position.

As for pain meds, I continued to take one at bedtime for about 4 weeks. That seemed to help me get to sleep. Good luck!

5

I also have a problem sleeping on my back but I elevate my head a bit and it seems to help.  I suffer from s apnea and snore a lot but when I elevate my head it seems to clear my windpipe.  I’m 8days in and feeling better every day.  I can now lift my surgical leg up and put it on the bed without any assistance.  I feel like I could almost walk without a walker but don’t.  If this is TMI let me know,

6

I slept in a recliner for almost 2 weeks. I also have acid reflux (no meds, watch what I eat usually) so it was good for that. Made it a lot easier, too, to get up instead of having to lift the heavy leg, sit on edge of bed, and get up. Good idea, too, to put ice on the swelling area for about 20 minutes before you go to sleep. Pain meds can help, too, especially in early stages of recovery. Dosage for mine was "every 4 hours as needed" but I took them no more often than every 5-6 hours. Took one before going to bed which made a big difference. When I got off them at about 2+ weeks, I took Tylenol if needed.

Recovery takes time. Not everyone is the same with that.

7

Hi Kim,

I have had success rotating from my back to my good side.  Try it!

Steve

8

I had never slept on my back before but have made that transition. At 8 weeks post-THR, I am still sleeping on my back. For the accid reflux, which I also have, I take a prescription every morning and avoid triggering foods, especially in the evening. I bought a wedge bed pillow that is a life saver as it keeps my upper body elevated properly--not just my head. For the sleep issues, which I also have had my whole life, suggest listening to a sleep/meditation app - I use one called Sleep Easily Meditation by Shazzie. It works extremely well. G ood luck!

9

I used a pillow designed to help people sit up in bed with several bed pillows stacked on it.  I slept sitting up for a couple weeks  I had pillows under my legs to keep my feet elevated too.  I took enough pain meds for comfortable sleep for the first month. 

10

I slept in an old school recliner. Still on my back but the shape of the chair made it a lot more comfortable than sleeping flat on my back with no chance of turning. Side sleeping was just too uncomfortable. Hope this helps. Good luck.

11

Thanks, you’re right about the pain meds.  I actually switched to a different one and it’s helping.  Unfortunately, the blood thinner is making me very sick and the doctor is not in favor of trying a different one.

12

Thanks.   I slept a little better last night.  Am now dealing with some side effects of Lovenox.  Nasty stuff

13

Thanks!

14

Not at all!  I appreciate the info.  I’m getting along a little better now, still not able to sleep on my side, but working on it.  

15

Thanks!

16

Thanks.  I’ll try the recliner.

17

We have an adjustable base bed, so I’ve been slightly elevating my head and feet.  I guess it’s just the discomfort of being on my back that’s bothering me most.  The pillows sound like they might help too.  Thanks

18

Sleep issues have been a problem for me for the past few years and I have actually had to resort to a prescription to sleep.  This was a last resort after I’d tried everything.  It usually works for me, but not so much since the surgery.  I haven’t tried that  app though.  It’s worth a shot.  Thanks

19

Thanks!  I tried it last night, but was afraid, the way my hip felt, when I rolled from my back to my side, that there was too much pressure on my operated hip ( I was lying on the nonoperated side).  I rolled with a pillow between my knees.  Maybe I’ll see if it works in the next few days any better.

20

I had rivoraxaban as an anti coagulant which had nasty side effects on me. I only had to take it for 35 days though.