Sleeping Positions

Hi Ladies,

I am 5+ weeks post op and still sleeping on the couch with pillows under my legs. Is there anyone else out there experiencing the same? I have not slept in my bed since 9/13 - the date of surgery. How long after surgery were you able to sleep on your side?

TVH/BSO & Bladder Surgery 9/6/00

Dear BJ,

My nurses in the hospital had me on my side the second day with the use of one heck of a lot of pillows.

One pillow under tummy, one pillow wedged behind back, one pillow between knees and whatever makes you comfortable for your head and neck.

A lot of ladies use body pillows, one for front side and one for the back side.

Good luck to you and try to get some good rest in your bed.

Sara

Bernadette, I wish I could help. I was able to sleep on my stomach after a couple of days and on my side the first night. I realize that is unusual, but my tummy never bothered me a lot. I did have trouble staying asleep at first. I have never read a post like yours, so I feel like maybe you should talk to your doctor. If you still have that much discomfort, he/she needs to know.

gosh bernadette....I was sleeping on my side while I was still in the hospital. Of course, I had my epidural then too. But I've slept on my side ever since, with my little tummy pillow under my side. It's a little uncomfortable at first, but I do manage to sleep well.

Why aren't you sleeping in the bed? Too painful to get in & out? Maybe it's upstairs and thats hard? I'd be tempted to speak with my Dr if I was still unable at 5 weeks post op to get to or in & out of my bed.

It's worth a call don't you think?

If I lay flat on my back in the bed there is a pulling sensation on the right side. I have to prop myself up on pillows all around my back and body to sleep in the bed. I find the couch (with the back and pillows added) much more comfortable. I can get in and out of the bed easy I just can't get comfortable for sleep.

I go up and down the stairs like nothing.

If just feels like stuff is moving when I lay on my side so I've been sleeping on my back. Before this surgery I would never sleep on my back. I was always a side sleeper.

I forgot to mention that my stomache is rather large. I have this fat pocket between my naval and incision.

I am 5 weeks post op and once again tried to sleep on my side today. No go. Pulls too much and is so weird feeling even with pillows arranged in all sorts of various ways under my tummy and between my legs.
I sleep on a mountain of pillows sitting up in bed and there I will remain until I can feel comfortable on my side.
I can lay flat on my back but not for long periods of time and my legs grow numb very fast when I do lay on my back.
It's so strange to see the differences in us all and in the way we heal isn't it?

Just glad to hear someone else not sleeping on their side. Hey Sister.

Of all the post-op stuff I've dealt with so far, sleeping is by far the most challenging. I had a TAH with the left ovary removal on October 11th and I have not had a solid night of sleep since. I can lay on my left side for awhile but then must lay on my back because of all the pulling I feel from my right side. And forget about sleeping on the right side. I don't know how much reading any of you did prior to your surgeries, but I may be able to offer an explanation of the problems you're experiencing.

If any of you kept one of your ovaries, it was sewed to the top of your vagina and I suspect it just takes awhile for the healing to take place. It makes sense that there would be a considerable amount of pulling because the ovary is trying to attach to a foreign body (so to speak).

I still need two powerful painkillers at night to keep the pain under control (it doesn't go away). But, I feel fortunate that I have a supportive husband and deep abiding faith that God will bring complete healing. For those of you who pray, I encourage you to commend yourselves to God. He knows the pain you're experiencing and he will help you bear it and eventually bring healing.

Hope this helps. Gentle hugs to all and here's hoping that soon we all will be sleeping better. God Bless!

Gloria

Thanks that sure explains things a bit.

Bernadette

I had a TAH/BSO on 10/3 and had to sleep on my back up until a couple of days ago. I had two pillows under my knees, one under my head, one on top of my stomach and one on the side! I look like I'm in a fort. Now, I still have all the pillows, but can turn on my left side finally! I've slept in my bed every night with my DH - thankfully it's a king size bed! Good luck!