Recovery sleep advice please

[Zeffer]

First, thank you for all the support, it has made my recovery easier as I have had such good advice and feel like I'm not alone.

A brief update: still doing the physio's exercises and managing to walk to the end of my close and back. Still on controlled drugs for the pain and daily injections to help avoid DVT.

However, sleep is a nightmare. I know it will be when dealing with pain but my big problem is sleeping on my back. I always slept on my front/side and actually rolled on my back when the alarm went off to wake up.

Those in the know (but I will ring the nurse tomorrow) can I sleep on my front? Is it just a case of letting my body tell me if it is OK? I have had no specific guidance, I just carried on doing what was happening in hospital. I did try lying on my front earlier, took a few minutes to get there but seemed comfortable and if anything, less pain. However, I can't simply roll over yet so I have to factor in getting up in the night etc.

Any thoughts appreciated, and thanks again!

 

[Mrs M]

First, thank you for all the support, it has made my recovery easier as I have had such good advice and feel like I'm not alone.

A brief update: still doing the physio's exercises and managing to walk to the end of my close and back. Still on controlled drugs for the pain and daily injections to help avoid DVT.

However, sleep is a nightmare. I know it will be when dealing with pain but my big problem is sleeping on my back. I always slept on my front/side and actually rolled on my back when the alarm went off to wake up.

Those in the know (but I will ring the nurse tomorrow) can I sleep on my front? Is it just a case of letting my body tell me if it is OK? I have had no specific guidance, I just carried on doing what was happening in hospital. I did try lying on my front earlier, took a few minutes to get there but seemed comfortable and if anything, less pain. However, I can't simply roll over yet so I have to factor in getting up in the night etc.

Any thoughts appreciated, and thanks again!

Sorry to hear you're having sleeping problems, think it's an issue for lots of folk after a big op.
I usually sleep on my side but after my op I was told to sleep on my back for a while.
I used a pillow under my knees and this made things much easier.
Good wishes for your continuing recovery.

 

[Zeffer]

Thanks, I'll try the 'nest' approach tonight and phone the nurse tomorrow. Pillows under the knees sounds good.

 

[Zeffer]

Physio has phoned me and said I can sleep on my front. Seems good but he also said I don't have to avoid twisting or bending beyond 90 degrees which contradicts everything I have been told so far by other physios, the nurses and my GP who happens to be a hip specialist as well. He also said I shouldn't walk anywhere as I am just practicing the wrong way of walking with crutches. I should just do my exercises and rest to allow the bone to heal.

I am now fed up as not sure what to believe. Most of the information leaflets available online confirm I should not twist or bend too far.

Sorry ranting!

 

[ayceejay]

Sleeping on your front is not that comfortable due to the bend in your neck. You can try with a pillow under your chest or the method I found best was to sleep across the bed with head overhanging the and a chair with pillows to support your head.

 

[Zeffer]

I tried on my front for one night and was sore for two days as not being able to move seems to have more impact when on my front. I am using pillows under knees and slightly raised head (I am lucky that I have a bed that adjusts). I have slept through the twice now but mostly broken sleep and a catch up nap in the day. Thanks for suggestions!

 

[fossyant]

I'm supposed to sleep on my back. 6 weeks in hospital was enough. I'm still on the settee propped up at night. I can't get comfy in our bed, and it was comfy before. I'm too fidgety so sleep downstairs still as the sofa is quite soft. That's 4 months since the accident.

Can you sleep on your good side, but use pillows to support the leg on the operated side ? You'll also find you aren't that tired as you can't exercise.

 

[Zeffer]

I may try that. Good point about not being tired/lack of exercise. It doesn't help. So frustrating, but slowly getting better.