I need a good nights sleep

I'm almost 2 weeks post-op and while everything else is getting better, I have hit a point where I can't handle sleeping on my back any longer. Problem, its the only way that my incision and swelly belly feel comfortable. Unfortunately, the rest of me isn't.

I use a wedge pillow and regular pillow under my head and a pillow under my knees. If I don't have the pillow under my knees, I feel stretched and and uncomfortable. I'm a side slepper and when I try to lay on my side - even if I have a pillow or towel under my swelly belly - it feels like something is pulling and I'm afraid that I'm pulling on the internal stitches as well as my incision.

Last night I tossed and turned trying to get comfortable till the wee hours only to wake up a couple hours later. Any ideas and suggestions welcome. When can I try to sleep on my side without the fear of hurting something internal?

Hi Gsgal,

I know what it is like not being able to sleep the way you are used to. My nurses encouraged me to turn onto my side the day of my surgery. I was sleeping on my side (almost all the way on my tummy) that night. It is true that it really pulls and feels like everything is coming apart, but it is not. It is actually good for your recovery. It did not cause me any problems. When I went in for my 2 week check, the Dr said I was even healing quicker than she expected. Taking some ibuprofen an hour before you lay down will help the pain, but I think it might hurt a little the first time you try it no matter how long you wait.

Hope you heal quickly,
Kay

I know exactly how you feel!
I too am a side sleeper. I am 10 days post op today, but have been sleeping on either side since day one. It was very difficult at first, but gets easier as time goes along. One thing that has helped me is several feather pillows. I put one up against my stomach to brace it, one between my legs, and another to help position my arms. Feather pillows seem to mold to your body better than the foam ones. Make sure you take your pain meds about an hour before you want to sleep. Have you tried a heating pad?
You might also ask your Doctor for a sleeping pill to help you sleep and relax.
Good luck! Melenie

Thank you! I'll give it a try again tonight. I can't use feather pillows due to asthma, but I'm thinking that those squishy pillows with the little beads (don't have a clue what they are called) may be better than the foam pillows I'm using. I was just so afraid that if it feels that its pulling that it actually is and didn't want to hurt anything. Guess I'll go back to my pain meds at bedtime to see if that can help too.

I am now four weeks today postop TAH/BSO and I wouldn't have gone anywhere without my small squishy pillow. I even found it comfortable to lay on my side to sleep in the very early days after surgery. The way I did it was to put the pillow right at the level of my incision and kind of lay on my side with the pillow supporting my abdomen and incision. I haven't had any problems with incision healing, etc.

Good sleeping and healing
Michele

I had trouble sleeping when it came to my 9-10 weeks post op, so that would of been around the 1st to 2nd week of December.... I remember it clearly, cuz I was to tired I couldn't even go out on my birthday. But getting to the point us sisters had started a thread on the Natural Product (Calms Forte).

I had to use it for a couple of weeks and it worked great for me.... You can get it just about anywhere health food store, Walmart, Walgreens ect...... Hope this helps..... Nighty Night

Rambi

Thank you, I'll look into that. I asked DD to go to Walmart tonight and get me one of those squishy pillows. I'll also try some red wine tonight.

I was uncomfortable on my side at first, even with a pillow supporting my belly. A pillow wedged against my back did the trick. I couldn't position it myself, but DH would help and then I could sleep for at least an hour. Isn't insomnia fun?

I went out and bought a body pillow. It is wonderful. Let's me sleep on my side with no problem.

This may sound silly, but I have noticed that when I sleep on my side, I get night sweats! If I lay on my back, I don't notice it, but when I turn, I'm suddenly sweaty and hot and am throwing the covers off of me. Weird. Anyone else?

SB