I am now in day 7 post op and everything has been going very well except sleeping. I have never been able to sleep on my back and trying to sleep on my side with a cushion between my knees is a failure. The problem is compounded by my tendency to get Restless Leg Syndrome. I bought a Slumber Support and on the first night I immediately went to sleep for 2 hours. At that point I needed to go to the bathroom and freeing oneself from the Slumber Support is not as easy as merely freeing the strap. It is a bit like being attached to a door with a belt. I think it works better when on top of the bedclothes rather than underneath them. Last night I thought i would follow my daughters advice and use a sleep app on my iphone. I installed a couple and tried both.. Total failure.
I thought I might as well listen to some music. Switched on something by Charpentier - result, 90 mins good sleep. I then played some Haydn and this gave me a further hours good sleep. Is this the solution? Can't see it working with Wagner or The Sex Pistols.
On my general situation after one week, I am very well pleased. I can walk round the house with no assistance and I have just come in from a 25 min 600 yard walk in the village using a single crutch. (Soon be able to reach the pub!). I realise that rehab is not linear and there will be instances of 2 steps forward and one back. I also worry that at my age (78) I am perhaps pushing a bit too hard, but so far so good. Pain negligible, aches manageable.
Hi David
I too am a week post op and was dreading sleeping on my back because I too get restless legs if I try. However, I have a wedge of foam, not very high, which I out 3 pillows down (not on top of each other, but overlapping) so my torso is at an angle of about 25 degrees and supported. I then out a pillow under my non operated leg and have the operated one flat. I'm sleeping better than before the op, much to my amazement, there is no intricate contraption to get out of if I want to go to the loo and if I do find myself feeling a bit wakeful, I have my trusty Kindle, which I read with a light on the cover, not the main or bedside light on.
Sleeping is a real menace post operative. I found a way of doing it last time with pillows. In the meantime I have had hypnotherapy - took an hour. I can now sleep at will, am far more rested and can always get back to sleep if i wake briefly in the night. The technique i learned is so light touch I only have to say the words successful sleep to myself and off I drop. A drastic change and worth anyone trying it out as by the time you have had arthritis and then the operation you are pretty dosed up with drugs so its nice to have self medication that does no harm.
And yes I was a sceptic before I tried it!
Hi Christine what exactly do you do /say to get to sleep I'm a bit confused by your message.
All of us have to run to the loo every 2 hours at the start, I have propped myself up on 5 Pillows and have a pillow under my knees it works now the 2 hour thing has stopped I am getting 5 hours in a row.
Great progress David, and cheers to you for when you get to the pub, great goal 🍻
LOL - can't help it but i suddenly see in my mind's eye, all of us struggling with pillows and stuff in our bed to get comfortable - and when you finally found the best position, you have to use the bathroom - exhausting !!!!
You are doing great David - what great incentive to get to t-he pub ! wishing you all a good night
Yes that is so annoying, I remember that.
"Hi Christine what exactly do you do /say to get to sleep I'm a bit confused by your message."
Possibly the word Codeine? {{{LOL}}} That is the word I would pick, ha-ha-ha.