A Comfortable Position

[Watertender]

Between the surgery on my lung and the problems with my ankle and sciatic nerve I am having an almost impossible time finding a comfortable position.
I'm usually a side sleeper but with the surgery on the right lung I can't sleep on that side now. I've had 2 previous surgeries in my left lung so that isn't comfortable.
I can get semi relaxed on my back on a raised wedge pillow but as soon as I turn a little bit the wrong way I am jolted wide awake with burning pain from the top of my left hip to the tips of my left toes.
Hopefully after the dressing comes off of my ribs I can find a better solution.

 

[blume357]

I agree... I'm fine during the day but trying to sleep is a problem... even thinking about going back to the 'real' meds just at night...
I think that's what you might aught to try... I suspect you are like me and really don't want to take all these chemicals but getting some sleep is important with healing...

 

[Fox Mike]

Bought a recliner that is motor driven and has a 'vibrating' device plus heat. I am also a 'side sleeper' but can CRASH in it, flat on my back. Just a suggestion, but might try a recliner to sleep for a while.

 

[Armybrat]

Motor drive recliners can vary quite a bit, so shop them carefully.
My first one turned out to be inadequate as far as positioning for lumbar support. The second one has been very satisfactory.

 

[41Dude]

Bought a recliner that is motor driven and has a 'vibrating' device plus heat. I am also a 'side sleeper' but can CRASH in it, flat on my back. Just a suggestion, but might try a recliner to sleep for a while.

You beat me to it. Look for the dual motor style. We tried the single motor first and found out it does not give that many options. Heat and vibrate are a plus
They are more money but worth it for the rest they can give you.

 

[xTopGun]

I second the electric recliner, I bought a Lazy-Boy, and I'd sleep great in it, if my wife would just stop waking me up to ask me if I'm ok . . . . .

 

[kentucky yeti]

I don’t have an electric recliner so I have no idea. But I sincerely hope that you can find a comfortable position.

 

[Watertender]

I actually found a position that worked well and slept for 3 hours. Walter was there purring as I drifted off to the best sleep I have had since before the surgery.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Normally a little puddy keeps you awake .....but glad you got some much needed sleep.

 

[kentucky yeti]

Normally a little puddy keeps you awake

It puts me to sleep afterwards LOL

 

[M118LR]

Ever since I had my tailbone broken and the next four discs herniated there has been nothing better than the lazy boy for some sleep. Luck if I can get out of an actual bed two hours later. You can also purchase lumbar supports massagers with heat- infrared etc to add more comfort. Just ensure you can get out of the chair multiple times without much effort during the course of a night. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[coach]

I second the lazy boy. My wife bought me one after open heart surgery and I slept in it for a while until I was able get up and down. On another note I trained myself to sleep on my back when a torn meniscus would wake me if I turned over. That took a while before able to stay on my back most of the night. Good luck getting sleep. I always felt it was the most important thing for recovery.

 

[WanderLust]

I have to second all those votes about the electric recliners. I would add that the better ones will have more padding all across the frame which makes a difference on your body. We actually purchased ours at Costco years ago and they are still wonderful for sleeping. Back and neck issues, open heart surgery and other afflictions have made that recliner a resting spot when all other places fail me.

 

[M118LR]

I'm not sure I should share this?

Warning long post.

My wife's sister died from her same affliction. My wife tore me a new one because I wouldn't drive to Indiana in December for her sisters 70th. We went in June. She never made it to 70 so we had two weeks with her before she passed.

Her sister had money but wouldn't spend a dime on an electric recliner, she had been unable to work the three position Lazy Boy Lever and soiled herself waiting for her daughter to get off work and attend her.

At the onset of my wife's affliction the first thing I did was toss her custom Lazy Boy and get her an electric recliner. Don't care how much flack I got from the kids, it was the correct option.

If you have even slight difficulty with the standard lazy boy three click lever, trash it and get an electric. Way better than soiling yourself and waiting hours for assistance. JMHO YMMV.

 

[jimbo1096]

That’s when the reclining padded chair comes in handy with the adjustable headrest

 

[ibboatin28]

Bought a recliner that is motor driven and has a 'vibrating' device plus heat. I am also a 'side sleeper' but can CRASH in it, flat on my back. Just a suggestion, but might try a recliner to sleep for a while.

“Catnapper” makes a good one. That’s where I have to sleep…

 

[blume357]

Up at 3:30 this morning the toes on my injured foot that stick out from the giant bandage/splint were freezing and this is with them under the covers... I might have to get out the heating pad tonight.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Up at 3:30 this morning the toes on my injured foot that stick out from the giant bandage/splint were freezing and this is with them under the covers... I might have to get out the heating pad tonight.

Circulation? Hopefully there isn't a clot or other vascular type issue.

 

[vito]

Not so much about sleeping, but a lot of comments here are mentioning post-surgical pain. Ask your doc if that pain might be related to the surgery cutting through nerves. I was having terrible burning pain in my leg after my knee revision surgery and was told that it was nerve pain causing the problem, and might persist for several months. I was put on a med called Gabapentin which has helped considerably. I am now over 4 months since surgery and I am starting to reduce how much of this med I take, from 3 times a day down to twice, and soon I will go to only once a day.

 

[McCoyB]

I have slept many nights in a recliner because migraines made it hard to sleep lying down. My electric recliner was great, but beware of power outages. My mother was able to get one with battery backup, which she needed because of the frequent power outages where she lived. Have yourself a backup of some type because it can be difficult to get out of a recliner when you can’t return it to the upright position. Sleep is a wonderful component of wellness. Having a recliner, electric or user powered is good!

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

When I was getting ready for my shoulder replacement surgery it was suggested I get a recliner that comes all the way up to where you are virtually standing without using your arms to push yourself up. I think I used it that way, and slept in it for less than a week. I still use it for my day to day but I typically don’t even use it to put my feet up (unless I’m going to take a nap) or use it to help me stand. I could have got away with a less expensive chair.

 

[Jeepnik]

After open heart surgery, on the advice of my BIL who has had several including a transplant, I slept in a recliner for some time. He called it right. My wife recently had a hip replaced (round two coming up). She found that getting in and out of the recliner was much easier than the bed. And the bed is one of those bendy types. The issue is the way she has to turn/twist to get off the bed. With the chair its straight up.

They even have recliners that lay flat like a bed and have standing assist.