I'm 4 weeks and 6 days post op and really fed up of sleeping on my back which we are supposed to do for 6 weeks!
Please tell me if I should!
Thanks
Paula
Hello Paula yes frustrating. I had to survive 8 weeks as dislocation for me was higher than some. Only you know what your risks are after discussion with your medical team. Bear in mind this site does not give medical advice only opinion from those who have had hip op experience
You should follow what your surgeon advised - if it's 6 weeks so be it - not long to go for you now anyway.
I'm 5 weeks and hate it but prop my back up with loads of pillows and have my legs slightly raised on pillows and it's bearable.
hi paula i havent had mine but sure id feel samE!!!! how do you not turn when half asleep!!? the experts will advice,
in fact ive just had offer of a mechanical bed do you think it would be beneficial in any way, it just sits you up etc px
Hi
Feel such a jammy bugger cos i was told not to stress on how I slept by my hospital.
So my opinion is to go with your heart and advice as given...but gosh gosh these so called experts need to get their act together and be consistent.
Mic
X
good evening Paula --- so many different approaches - some of us, like me, were allowed to sleep on non-operated side almos immediately - and others, like you have to sleep on their back for 6-8 weeks -It is the preferred way, definitely - but I just couldn't do it - so in the hospital I was given a pillow and they showed me how to position it between my knees and how to turn over - hope you will get some eye-shut tonight ... warm hug
Hi Paula
I was advised not for 6 weeks, I got used to sleeping on my back I had memory foam matteress and pillows under my knees, when it came time for me to lie on my side ended back on my back as found it hurts lay on operated side and felt my hip pulled if lying on other side, I'm 8 months post op now and lie on my stomach😁 hope you find a comfy position not worth risking it only another week to go
Good luck
Vicki
I was a bad lad and went onto my side round about the same time as you are now. I normally sleep in a recovery position shape on my left side. I had a right THR so just packed pillows under the leg so that it couldn't cross over. I had a lovely night's sleep. You must be careful, though, if you are going to do it.
Well, getting this off my chest seemed to provide some comfort in itself! I actually slept, on my back and had a lay in until 7.20 this morning, makes a change to the 5am mornings I've had for the last 5 weeks!
I have a memory foam mattress, a pillow under my knees and propped up with pillows.
Oh well only a week to go!
Thanks guys x
Hi Pauline, accept the offer it will make all the difference x
Hi Paula, I am three weeks today following TLHR. The worst part (apart from the initial post-op pain) was having to sleep on my back with a pillow between my legs. However at 8 days, when I was past myself with waking up every two hours, I rang my physio to ask if I could (as long as I didn't cross my affected leg over) sleep on my right side with a pillow between my legs as long as my legs were parallel and not crossed over in any way! They agreed that I could and to also put another pillow in front of my legs to prevent going any further. This has helped and is the position I have slept in (with care) since. However another physio that I spoke to at my follow up appoint said that that advise was incorrect and that if I was not too uncomfortable, I could sleep on the affected side! However that is still JUST too uncomfortable, but I have continued to sleep on the unaffected side. I do understand about the risk of disclocation, and 'God forbid' it won't happen! Just to reassure others too, I can now walk without any sticks (within reason) I use one outside just to warn off other people, and I have actually driven my car - which is not automatic!! I am also using bio-oil on my wound which is healing beautifully. Still a long way to go as I want to concentrate on getting back to work ( on a gradual return ) as a nurse, and try and get a holiday booked! My daughter is due to deliver another baby in the next couple weeks, and I think that has been a lot of my incentive to make a quick recovery. I am a keen cyclist, so that will be my next goal!! Hope my experience helps, and good luck to you Paula and anyone else who is reading this.
Christine
Think I'm lucky too Mic, the surgeon didn't mention to me about sleeping on my back and the physio told me it would be fine to sleep on my side as long as I had a good thick pillow between my legs. The same advice was given in a booklet I was given too. I have been sleeping on my side since day one, now just over three weeks on I am even sleeping on my front which is my most comfortable position. So many different opinions - one of the nurses in the hospital told me I should sleep on my back but I went with the physio's advice. Glad I wasn't forced to sleep on my back!
Hi Paula Had my right side replaced two weeks ago, and I can have a doze on each side but it gets painful, so I get up, say after 5hrs sleep, I can try to sleep in my sides but just gets too painful, I have stopped using the toilet raiser though as that was too terrible....just go careful...give it a little go...if it gets painful stop...Easy to say us blokes have large legs and mine are well muscled I am a waist 38 but need to wear 40s to get trousers to fit my legs, so we are all different.
Kind regards Ian.
Hi, I am 7 weeks post op and have been turning on non-operated side since 5 weeks (I was told 6). At 5 weeks I could only manage a short time on my side, even with pillow between my legs. I would say you are so close to the 6 weeks that so long as you are careful when turning, then give it a go as it is so uncomfortable sleeping on your back. xxx Take care xxx
Hi Paula I know how you feel just about the same time as you I allowed myself to go to sleep on my operated side with a pillow between my legs I found that I woke about an hour later on my back however the short time gave me a change and I then went happily back to sleep on my back Now at 10 weeks I start off on my side and sleep quite happily on either sometimes my scar is sore but that is acceptable hope this helps pauline