I had my THR almost three weeks ago and physically I'm doing really well. I don't need sticks for walking although, of course, I do use them for the stairs.
The big problem I have is lack of sleep and after nearly three weeks it's beginning to really catch up on me. I find it very difficult to sleep on my back and if I'm lucky I might get 2/3 hours of sleep a night--as a result, I'm so tired during the day and actually dread going to bed at night!
When I left hospital the PT told me to sleep on my back for 6 weeks and if it was comfortable I could sleep on my operated side. Unfortunately, it's still too sore to sleep on that side so I'm now hoping to find a way to sleep on my "good" side.
Reading through the posts on this excellent forum it appears some of you have found ways to use a combination of pillows to make it safe to sleep on the good side but I'm very nervous to try because of the risk of discolation.
Does anyone have first hand experience of doing this successfully---or even the use of the purpose made slumber support mentioned in a couple of posts.
I had problems sleeping after my THR (posterior). I was told to sleep on my good side with a pillow between my legs. I was told I could sleep on my back, but I cannot sleep that way. I am not the best sleeper in general. I listened to music to help me sleep. I was told NOT to sleep on my operated hip.
I told my surgeon about my sleep issues and he suggested some over the counter medications.
I was 4 weeeks on Monday. My sleep has improved in the last 10 days or so.
I'm 5 weeks post op...of getting sleep was a nightmare. ..but for the last 2 weeks I've been sleeping on my good side which was replaced June 2015...sometimes I sleep on my back with a pillow under my legs. Every day I wake up excited about what's going to be easier today. I'm amazed at how things change from day to day..
Hi Don, I also struggled to sleep on my back. I am now 3 weeks post-op TLHR posterior. When I saw my consultant at 2 weeks post-op he said I could do whatever I felt comfortable doing, including sleeping on either side as long as I placed a pillow between my legs. It made such a big difference and I haven't looked back. The first couple of nights it was uncomfortable sleeping on my operated site but it soon felt comfortable. Sounds as if you are doing fantastically well otherwise. Good luck! Ruth
I had a LTHR two weeks ago yesterday. The first night in the hospital the nurse asked " do you want to sleep on your good side?" I looked at her like she was nuts. She said it was fine as long as I had a pillow between my legs. I have not done this, I sleep on my back with a king sized pillow under my surgical leg. I have been sleeping 70% on my back for years. I do take a sleeping pill and now a benedryl as well. I would think at 3 weeks post op sleeping on surgical leg would be a no/no. Walking 3 weeks with no aids sounds like a dream, be careful and congrats on great achievements!! Annette
I stuck with the torture of 6 weeks on my back after my operation, I did manage to get onto my operated side after that for short periods.
Then 4 weeks later I had to have revision, so had another torture session of sleeping on my back for 6 weeks. After that I could not get onto my operated side (too uncomfortable), but could get on the unoperated side ). I did it a couple of weeks earlier this time, probably because the operation was not quite as brutal to my leg muscles.
I did it with a pillow between my legs to support the upper one, and one behind my back for stability.
Hi don I'm 3 weeks post op and haven't managed more than 2 hrs of sleep at a time I have no pain from the op side but my back gives me gyp. I can get round with one crutch inside but use 2 when I go for a walk I darnt sleep on my op side as it is still tender I catch up during the day having a nap . I go on my iPad or watch tv if I can't sleep chin up we will all reach our goal eventually
We seem to be suffering the same thing--2 hrs sleep at night and back pain. I try to read during the night or go on my computer but three weeks of very poor sleeping is taking it's toll. This afternoon I phoned the PT at the hospital and she has confirmed I can sleep on my good side as long as I use pillows to prevent my operated leg falling over my body (not sure that makes sense but I'm sure you know what I mean!
Thanks for your reply and good luck and sweet dreams!
Wow Graham--such a lot of torture! Tonight I'm going to try a pillow between my legs while I sleep on my good side and I'm also going to follow your suggestion of a pillow behind my back as well.
Hi Ruth, thanks for your reply. I'm finally going to try sleeping on my good side with a pillow between my legs. I'm so sleep dreprived I'm willing to try anything. Hope it works.
I've tried sleeping on my back with a pillow under my knees but it hasn't really helped. The main problem for me, with sleeping on my back all night, is that I get so stiff and my back starts to really ache.
I've never been able to sleep on my back so it's not surprising I'm having these problems.
Tonight, for the first time, I'm going to try sleeping on my good side with a pillow between my legs. Fingers crossed (not legs!).
It's really strange how different surgeons/PT's give different instructions on sleeping on our sde. My PT insisted I sleep on my back or my operated side but definitely not my good side.
I've now taken further advice and been given clearance to sleep on my good side with a pillow between my legs.
Hi Don, I had my replacement nearly 11months ago posterior. The first 6 weeks were hell sleeping on my back. I rolled up a towel and put that into the hollow of my back. It helped but couldn't sleep and like you it was 2 or 3 hours max. Even when I could lay on my side with a pillow it didn't improve. Had sleeping pills no joy! Went on a long haul flight last month and was so sleep deprived on the journey that I finally slept a minimum 6 hours. Bliss! I was told by physio I could lay on my operated side at 4 weeks it was hell so didn't try that again. I would say don't try and sleep on your side till doc reduces restrictions. I like you was petrified of a dislocation. Hope you get some sleep soon.
I agree regarding the different surgeon/p/t advice.
Maybe some of the difference in advice is based on where the surgeons/p/t are trained.
I mentioned in another post that my surgeon this time told me 12 weeks of precautions whereas the last time (same surgeon) said 7 weeks of precautions ??? Kind of strange !!!!
I am 8 weeks post THR on my right side. I didn't sleep for weeks and I had no precautions at all so I was allowed to sleep any way. I can't sleep on my back so used a pillow between the legs and slept on my good side!! The sleep eventually comes back but it does take awhile. Hang in there!!
Hi Auntiebeanie, I've got so fed up with not sleeping I've ordered one of those specially designed slumber supports which, hopefully, will allow me to sleep on my good side.
Wow, I'm surprised you still can't sleep on your operative side for more than an hour. I hope that doesn't happen to me as my operative side is my favourite side to sleep!