Vioryny,
NOTE: What follows comes from my experiences and is laced with opinions...so knowing this, understand that each person's experience is different. So, when I appear to be giving advice, please understand that such opinions are coming from my experiences...which may not be your experience. However, you may find that there is overlap and commonality between our journeys. Please keep this is mind if you chose to read any of the following. When it comes to your journey through recovery, any real concerns you have should be addressed to, and taken up by, your care providers and surgical team....certainly not me! Thanks.
Welcome to this website. It has been very helpful for me. I had my surgery (left knee) and I, like you, found out that sleep was impossible for me the first week. Starting with the second week, I found that I could get one to two hours a night at a single time...then I was awake for the rest of the night...suffering alone since I am not married any longer and no one was keeping my hours!!!! So, how did I handle it?
First, I was very stressed out about the lack of sleep, or just being able to get comfortable. I just dealt with it, by not really dealing with it. I made myself miserable!
By the second week, I found that sleep was a bit possible when I used my Lazyboy recliner. Still quite elusive, but I managed and it became faintly easier. I still was stressed out, but I tried to think of it less. I was also trying to get off my opioid medication too....not smart.
By the third week, I found that I just kind of stopped fighting my new routine. I reached a point that if I got two hours of sleep and that was it - then I was pleased with it, knowing that I would probably catch a nap during the day at some point. I arrived at a point where I was not happy about the lack of sleep, but I accepted it. Early morning hours (quiet and all alone) became the norm...it became a "me time" where I surfed the Internet, watched TV, read, listened to music, or just meditated. Thus, from around Midnight, until I managed to fall asleep in my chair (usually around 4:00 a.m.), was just time I devoted to myself and tried hard to remain at peace with the situation. I really considered it a special time...a good time for me.
At the four week point, I was back in bed at night, but sleep was still rare - at least a good night's sleep. That was not going to happen, but I noticed I was not cringing at the thought of going to my bedroom and trying. Still was getting up early in the a.m., and find things to do to fill the time - alone....:-(. Sometimes having someone around is a good thing...but throwing a pity party was not my style.
Around week six - things got remarkedly better...but far from perfect. Still focused on coming to terms with my new normal.
I am currently at week 19 and I must say that I can now go to bed without being jolted awake by having my knee scream at me for moving the wrong way! I look forward to bedtime, hardly think of my knee (still hurts a bit, but nothing horrible), and I get into bed and usually fall asleep listen to music within twenty minutes, or less...sometimes within a couple of minutes. I try to nap less during the day, but still do.
Generally, early-on, I was more comfortable in my recliner. One big mistake I made...I was not elevating my leg enough during the first few weeks. This DID cause my leg to remain swollen and more painful than it had to be. I just was not following the guidelines...and that was a huge mistake! I purchased a much larger, wider wedge for my bed and it helped a lot. I am a bigger person do it takes a much larger wedge to allow both legs to be elevated. Now, I love using it. Took a while to get used to it, but now it's great.
In my opinion, a person must use ice, heat, and elevate his or her leg/s...and do the PT exercises faithfully a few times daily. I did mine in bed which was pretty comfortable. I always felt like I had accomplished something good for myself...both physically and emotionally. My exercising at home helped by PT appointments.
A week from today, I get my last x-rays and check up with my surgeon. I trust all will be going ok. I have no reason to believe otherwise. I also continue to ride my semi-recumbent bike on my local nature trial...I have rode up to 18 miles with the help of peddle assist (yes..I have an ebike). It as allowed my knee to maintain its flex and motion...a good thing!
So - sleep. My advice (Please remember...my advice is related to my experiences only...not trying to tell you what to do in the least!) - try to realize that what you are experiencing is quite normal (sorry, but it is normal). I think that the faster a person in recovery can accept that there is little one can do about it (people probably need to just admit that you are along for the ride), the better off a person will be. Try to find a way to be at peace with those early morning (and painful) hours. The sooner a person does this, the better....I think.
It's not easy, but everyone will (repeat) get thought this - just as most folks say in here. It took me between four and six weeks to start sleeping a bit it. Now, at week 19, sleep has become much less of an issue...barely worth mentioning. Early-on, I never thought I would get to such a place ever again, but, like everyone who has gone through this experience, one does arrive at the finish line, or at least at a much better place when it comes to more peaceful rest and sleep!
Best regards, Roger