Just wondering at what point you all took the plunge and tried to sleep on your side?
Is there a certain time period to wait?
And is it best to sleep on op side or non op side?
Just as a further update to my last post, called the hospital regarding the stockings and they said to take them off if they are digging in and cutting me as its having a negative effect. So I had them on for over 4 weeks plus I'm still taking the injections, so hopefully I'm past any danger re clots.
How you all getting on? Like to hear all your stories and help and advice. 😀
The advice I was given was that as soon as it is comfortable I am allowed to sleep on my operated side. I was told not to sleep on my good side as this risks the operated leg 'waving about' as the physio put it! I'm day 15 and it's not comfortable in my op side so I'm still on my back! Yay!
Hi I got different advice from most. I have been sleeping on non operated side with pillow between my legs since day 4. I am 6 weeks now and all fine. Yes those stockings are a pain. I am glad I no longer have to wear them.
I might just ditch my teds then as per our conversation l had stopped using them as l tht l was at 6 weeks but l am actuallly just 5 weeks on monday sobl put them back on todsy but they are annoying already. I am stopping wearing them l think ha ha x
Originally I was told 6 weeks. But he also said that if I do sleep on my side, it is better to sleep on my operated side as there is less chance of crossing the mid way line.
I confess that I started for a couple of hours on my side at 5 weeks. Laying on the op side is quite painful - due to the golfball. But I tried the other side and it was easier - but I had a pillow between my legs.
With time, I could sleep for longer periods on my side. I think it took about 2 weeks before I had my first full night on my sides. Now, in week 9, I still hav the pillow.
I was allowed to sleep on unoperated side when still in hospital - I was shown how to put pillow between my knees and how to turn - 1st and 2nd one - on operated side after staples were removed -
Sleeping: First time around at 6 weeks, second time I started with just a few seconds of rolling slightly to the side at 3 weeks .... not recommended I know, but I just listened to my body and stopped doing it on my operated side as it was letting me know not to do it.
I kept trying, and by 6 weeks, by body let me roll for 30 minutes or so.
At 10 weeks now, and I can side-sleep for a couple of hours before discomfort sets in again.
Try both sides, whichever feels most comfortable is the best. Use pillow between legs to stop the legs crossing the mid-line though.
TED stockings - 6 weeks ..... yeah I know they are awful, and I had to have two periods of six weeks with them on. Digging in is not good - they should remain flat below the knee and not rolled up.
Injections like pills (I had Rivaroxaban) usually last for 5 weeks.
I just did not want to risk blood clots - my father died due to one, so i persevered where many have just ripped the TEDs off. Yep they are awful, but I did not want to go through a DVT.
I think it depends on where you have your operation what advice you get. J had mine private on the NHS and even the physios gave out different information depending which Consultant you had. I never had stockings. I had some blow up and down pads attach to my ankles for a day after surgery then I had injections in my stomach for 2 days then sent home with Rivaroxaban tablets to take for 5 weeks for dvt. You cannot take ibuprofen whilst on these tablets though.
As for sleeping I was advised to sleep on my back with my legs flat on the bed. I have not been able to sleep one might like that and always use cushions under my legs. I've been advised to do this for at least 6 weeks I m 9 days now and have not had a sleep of longer than an hour at any one time, even when I have taken sleeping tablets. I can't wait to sleep on my operated side as my body jyst wants to roll over every night.
The blow-up stockings have to come off when you start getting up out of bed to walk.
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Yes, the early days are a real pain - and sleeping is the worst problem. I started out sleeping for about an hour at a time overnight, with frequent naps during the day too. Your body needs lots of rest. but keep the leg moving exercises going to simulate walking and keep the circulation going.
Main thing is to listen to your body. it knows what it needs.
Hi Sueleeds that is the same as my husband, but didn't know you couldn't take brufen when on the Raxiroxaban, found that out at our GP's when he went about the swollen leg, hostipatal sent hubby home with them which wasn't good,did you have Mr Nolan in Norwich cause everything you have said is just what Mr Nolan wanted, we went private too and in the Spire.
I was in the Spire Leeds. They told me I couldn't take ibuprofen.
I've started suffering from a swollen ankle 2 days ago more so later in rhe day on my operated leg.It goes down with rest. My calf was swollen a few days ago but is ok now. Is this cause for concern I'm on day 9 now.
I find it's more comfortable to sleep on my back, when I sleep on my unoperated side my operated hip hurts around the pelvis area even with a pillow in between legs.
Dr wasn't worried as long as the calf didn't swell more by Monday, I measure it every day it's 16 ins in the morning and 17 later as it was at the doctors in the day so it's ok.it's not sore just heavy when he tries to walk.
Wow... this is of great interest to me. I am not having surgery until Tuesday but I love sleeping on my side all curled up. It seems odd to say but I am counting on my body to listen to my mind and stay the way I am supposed to so I don't hurt myself!!! I worry about way too much I think. Thankfully there are many answers right here on this forum
Sleeping is a massive problem to me I'm now day 10. I can honestly say that I haven't slept more than an hour at a time in 10 days and some times not even that long. I took advice from here and made a kinda wedge out of pillows in my bed which I could move down ready for sleep. It helped but unfortunately I wake up wanting to change position and then that's im wide awake.
After 2 weeks of back sleeping I have taken the plunge and have the odd hour or two on my non-operated side with a pillow between my legs. This is against the advice I was given, which was that I could sleep on my operated side after 6 weeks, so I am not recommending it to anyone else. It was my decision.
There is so much conflicting advice on the subject I decided it couldn't do much harm as long as I ensured my operated leg did not cross the mid-line of my body, so I stack pillows all around to keep me secured in that position.
Having wear and tear in my spine I have been waking in the night with horrendous backache and a bit of side sleeping has given my back a little rest. I gave tried turning on my operated side but it is much too painful.
The sleeping problem is the worse, hubby just told me he got up at 4pm and sat in the recliner chair cause of back ache,it's a nightmere, even the Amitriptalene isn't making him sleep for long and he is only 2 weeks in after the opp, look like everyone is having the same problem, I think it's to risky to turn on the side at this point.
Yes I agree it will probably hurt as well. People have been given different information on this subjuect. I'm going to ask at physio on Thursday. Hope your hubby is ok