im really struggling with this little thing called sleep! I believe this is when you close your eyes, relax and maybe snore, dream or sometimes talk?
i have no problem with napping in the day, however sometimes don't even do that, but when it comes to the evening... Well a different thing all together!!
ive tried lying flat on my back with two pillows under my head, sitting up with pillows, pillows under my knees, but I just can't manage it, my lower back kills! I'm 19 days post op, on no pain meds as my incision doesn't give me pain.
has anyone got any ideas on how I can iron this little problem out? I've been awake since 3am this morning with 2 hours on and off sleep prior to 3am!
Well I'm 12 days a hippy today and have stopped going to bed for a nap in the afternoon, the last 2 days I lied on the sofa for a couple of hours with a movie because I was going to bed much later than usual and want to try and get back to normal sleep/wake routine as the school holidays are just about to finish here and I need to get back to normality.
i have been using an electric blanket for relief of aches and pains. Alternatively a heat pack on your back maybe?
Also I have enjoyed a glass of wine the last 2 evenings and it seems to work nicely.
Good luck, it's not nice having the grumps in the day.
Awww Linzi ... morning darling ---that must feel terrible ... I am not sure what to tell you ... I do take pain meds and many times wondered if I should ask for some sleep medication as well ... (wouldn't have been a problem in L.A. but in Holland, well .. different story) - I am taking Dr. Vogel's Dormesan extra strenght pills (all natural) and it helps me fall asleep - one of our fellow hippies listens to a relaxation tape - sometimes it helps when you eat some protein before you go to bed ... not a copious meal but a snack-
another thing, and I know you will hate this, is try to not focus or get angry when you can't fall a sleep -
My lower back gave me a lot of grief too - went into spasms ... how is your mattrass ?
I wish I could help you you more.. I am sure wonderful tips will come in -
for now, try to accept that this is what it is and that you are not liking it and are grouchy ...
relax and be gentle with your self -- it'll be okay -
I decided yesterday to go off cocodamol cos of bowel problems and had terrible sleep last night. My bum not my back aches. I did put on the sleep tapes and got2 hours but I'm going to take cocodamol tonight. I feel like I'm wishing my life away wanting to get back on my side but I have to remember that just 2 weeks ago today I was a nervous wreck getting ready to go in to hospital. So I am grateful to be this far.
I had trouble sleeping first night after leaving hospital. My husband bought me a foam wedge from mobility shop to raise my pillow as found if my head higher than less pain on my back. The wedge comes long enough to support top of shoulders. It gives same effect as in hospital as I slept with my head slightly raised as bed could be adjusted up. It made all the difference. I also have pillow under my ankles and knees. In fact 5 weeks on still sleeping this way as most comfortable on back. Still don't want to move to side sleeping yet.
Oh Linzh I know how you feel and the weather here isn't helping, I was sleeping 6 or 7 hours at a stretch but seem to have lost it. I am sooooooo tired I couold cry. Never mind another day tomorrow. xx
Were you told specifically not to sleep on anything but your back?
When I was in the hospital still, I had trouble sleeping on my back and when asked was told that I could sleep on the unoperated side, but with good support under the operated leg.
That made all the difference for me. Took me several minutes to get into position at first, having to go from my back with a pillow between my legs, then more or less rolling like a plank to my left side. Slowly then ease the unoperated leg to stabilize me and done. This was in week 1 still, so a lot of tenderness and fear(!) at that point.
At around week 4 I woke up and noticed that apparently in my sleep I had gotten tired of the pillow as it was next to the bed. I've been sleeping 'normally' ever since.
Mind you, normally now does involve waking two orbthree times because I'm in a position too long and my body telles me to move, and sleeping in... Well it was 9:00 this morning when my back told me to get up. It just doesn't really work anymore. And I liked that a lot in the weekends 😐
I'm not sure if any of that helps you, but it did help me a lot to at least get 6-7 hours of sleep, which is nearly normal for me.
One of the girls mentioned a special foam slumber support which allows you to sleep more safely on your unoperated side.I've bought one but haven't had my op yet - just getting everything ready! Look it up online, mine came in 24 hours. Sweet dreams.X
Try taking your pain meds 30 minutes before bex time - you may not have pain in your hip but if pain in your back is keeping you awake, it needs to be dealt with. Also, take a pillow and push it under one or other buttock/side of back so although your operated leg is still adhering to the flat on the back rule your torso is very slightly on its side.
I've only got back pain when I've woke up from sleeping funny, so I'm not sure pain meds are the way forward, plus I don't want to get an addiction meds.
Yeah, I was afraid too, but I did it anyway, I had to I was desperate.
just keep you knee propped up so that it aligned with your hip.
I echo the other comment or, a pillow between your legs, I proved myself up on my arms to make the pivot. You do need pain mess to sleep, don't fight it.
The lovely handsome young physio I saw the day I left hospital saved my sanity! He asked if anything was worrying me and I admitted that I had no sleep at all in the 2 days I had been there having my THR, apart from a cat nap in a chair. I have spinal cord compression which makes lying on my back very difficult. He asked why I going to sleep on my back only and I replied that everyone had told me to and it was also written in all the patient info, because of the risk of dislocation.
He actually laughed and said it was rubbish and I would be fine on my good side with a pillow between my knees to stop the operated leg crossing too far over. This made all the difference to my recovery! I never sleep well or for long, but I did sleep pain free in a comfortable position.
Just go for it Linzh! You don,t need to invest in anything fancy, just an ordinary pillow is fine. It,ll make all the difference to you.