Not sleeping

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi I had a TRH done just over 3 weeks but the last couple of night I just can’t sleep I’m not in any pain has anyone got any suggestions that may help

Thanks

2

Hi, 

Horrid isn’t it?

I think maybe try all the old remedies 

Camomile tea , Lavender. No tv in bedroom !

Try to get as much fresh air as you can during the day too !

3

Putting a pillow under my legs when I slept on my back helped.  Also, if u don’t want to take the RX sleeping medication, they Melatonin.  It is herbal and really helps.

4

My friend recommended This Works Deep Sleep and Sleep Plus pillow sprays. One helps you to get off to sleep and the other helps you sleep deeply. I also do a bit of yoga relaxation technique and find that helps. Lots of online videos for that. 

Best Wishes

Ann x

5

Recliner. Bed is hell!

6

Hi Clare, I'm nearly 3 weeks LTHR and I empathise completely! I am an extremely poor sleeper anyhow ( shifts / nights / kids all to thank), and like you I can't sleep well. If anything I seem to be getting worse! I do wonder if it's because my brain is so bored?, although I can't put my mind to anything much in the day either!  Initially I had a little nap in the day, but gave that up, although sometimes lie down and watch TV for an hour. I have also found that the heel on my operated leg is very sore, as soon as it touches the mattress now, and although I've tried pillows / cushions etc it then gives me a pain in the hip! So I dangled it just over the edge last night, which did give a bit of relief. I have had some success with Nytol in the past for sleeping, so will have to get some, but really my only other suggestion is to get up, snuggle in your chair with something fairly inane on the telly. Sometimes it bores you to sleep for an hour or two. 

​I will have to do some of the required online education that nurses are required to do - that might do the trick!

​I hope you do manage to find a solution as it is so draining, and you need all your energy for your recovery 

7

Hi Clare

Are you not sleeping because you're not tired or because you can't get comfortable?

If its because you're not tired then try increasing your physical activity.  Are you walking - if so how far?  Are you able to increase either the distance or the duration?  What else are you doing?  Try challenging yourself, take the opportunity to do something that you've always wanted to do and never had the chance.

If you're not sleeping because you can't get comfortable - well, that's a more difficult problem to solve.  The general consensus on this forum seems to be that you can never have enough pillows/cushions!  So, pile your bed with as many pillows and cushions as you can and nest!

Good luck.

8

Hi Clare

I am also 3 weeks TRH so I can empathise completely 😊

I sleep with an L shaped pillow under my knees and resting against my right side, another pillow against my left side. This sort of makes you feel a bit cocooned, similar feeling to when you lie on your side and cuddle up to yourself (I cannot wait to sleep like that again) I also have a rolled up pillow case under my lower back, this helps with the sore heels as that is caused by nerves, apparently! It’s a bit of a rigmarole at bedtime but once I am encased in my pillows I sleep for about 6 hours at a time. Lower back pain wakes me after this time so I then prop up the pillows and recline/sleep for another hour or two. I also take 2 paracetamol before sleep and use vicks vapour to help me breathe easily (breather seems harder when lying on my back)

Agree with all comments about increasing your physical activity, outdoors if possible 

Good luck, remember we are doing BRILLIANTLY! 

Sleep well xx

9

I wish I had a magic 'sleep wand', I could still do with it nearly 2 years on. 

In the early days, i used to use my iPod with soothing music, change bed (our spare has a very hard mattress and I found that much more comfortable), and even used my recliner (with suitable raiser as per my website).

Best wishes

Graham

10

Hospital allowed me to sleep on non operated side with pillows wedged between my knees. Their pillows were a bit flat so they folded them in half: one between thighs and one by knees/shins. Since I have come home I used My Pillow and they are so firm and fluffy that one laid from thighs to knees works great! Just one with no folding. at least it gets you off your back. Otherwise my recliner is best! 

11

Yup, I was the same, hated the nights. Not particularly in pain, except for my back, just seemed to be awake half the night. It was better after 6 weeks when I could sleep on my side. Still used to wake up very stiff though . I was always very pleased when it was morning and time to get up!

Good luck.