Sleep oh how I long to sleep

[star]

I had my surgery almost 7 weeks ago, total knee replaclement. While my knee is coming along well, its my night time sleeping that seems to be a nightmare. I can't seem to get comfortable no matter how hard I try, whether its putting pillows between my legs or anything else I try position wise. Its like as soon as I try to fall asleep my leg begins to throb , I can't
find a comfortable position. I am not sleeping in my bed cause that doesnt seem comfortable at all. I have been on the couch since my surgery. I am in and out of bed so many times I can't count till finally it seems around 3am i just fall somehow find sleep. Last nite I even tried tylenol pm's but that didn't work. Will I ever sleep again?

I have exactly the same problem. WHAT WITH BEING TOLD TO KEEP MY LEG STRAIGHT AND HAVING THESE HORRID STOCKINGS ON ITS A NIGHTMARE.I USUALLY FALL ASLEEP ABOUT THREE.IVE BEEN ON MY BACK BUT THATS NOT COMFY SO NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD I CAN ROLL ONTO MY GOOD SIDE BUT WITH A CUSHION BETWEEN MY LEGS. DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WILL WORK OUT.I THINK WITH ME THAT I AM CONCENTRATING ON NOT TWISTING ANYTHING

 

[referee54]

It won't make yo feel any better, but what is happening is quite normal---Icouldn't sleep until January---and I had my bilateral TKR done on November 8th of 2007. My MD said they really do not know why it happens, but it does. I went from the bed to the couch to the futon to the futon mattress on the floor---I refues to act like an invalid and sleep in the lazyboy. Sleep will come to you...that I promise! I was dreading night time as then my battle would beging---but some sleep medication got my sleep schedule back on track, and I have no problems now.

Tim C.

 

[Nursepair]

Tari, I think I was about 6 or 7 weeks when I had that problem. I would take my Percocet, 2 Ibuprofen and a Sleep MD (herbal). It really helped me relax (Sleep MD did that I think) and I was able to stay in bed if I woke up and not have to pace the floor. I also bought a body pillow. It is the best thing ever. So comfy, the leg doesn't dangle or fall off anymore. I still wake in the night now at 14 weeks, but I feel much better in myself. Hope it helps. Sleep well....Sue

 

[Doug]

I can't sleep on my back. I won't sleep with my leg locked out straight. You need to sleep to recuperate. The heck with them!! Curl up and sleep. You have the rest of the day to work on keeping the leg straight.
Think of it. If you lock it straight for eight hours of sleep, you won't be able to bend it when you wake up..

 

[klinger]

I have exactly the same problem. WHAT WITH BEING TOLD TO KEEP MY LEG STRAIGHT AND HAVING THESE HORRID STOCKINGS ON ITS A NIGHTMARE.I USUALLY FALL ASLEEP ABOUT THREE.IVE BEEN ON MY BACK BUT THATS NOT COMFY SO NOW I HAVE BEEN TOLD I CAN ROLL ONTO MY GOOD SIDE BUT WITH A CUSHION BETWEEN MY LEGS. DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WILL WORK OUT.I THINK WITH ME THAT I AM CONCENTRATING ON NOT TWISTING ANYTHING

I,m the same, I cant sleep on my back plus I keep the neighbours awake with my snoring ha! ha!. Also (the stockings) well I took them off after 2 days being at home...only because some Doctors advocate wearing them and some dont bother. I also often wonder what effect pain killers have on sleep patterns, especially the narcotic type. Agreed they keep pain levels down but when they wear off I find it can make one a little fidgety or restless. Since I,ve been on long lasting anti-imflams I sleep much better. Cheers Klinger

 

[Jamie]

Last night was a major milestone for me. Even after hurting all afternoon and evening from overdoing it at the therapist, I was able to get to sleep pretty quickly around 11:00 with the use of 2 Darvosets. That was pretty normal. What WASN'T normal was that I didn't have to get up during the night!!! A first!!! I woke up, but was able to go right back to sleep until around 7 a.m. this morning....no additional pain meds either during the night!!! Wow! One night in a row!!! At least I know now it can happen and I'll be looking forward to more full nights at some point! Just had to share my small success with everyone. You guys know more than anyone how huge a full night of sleep can be.

 

[JenniferG]

My Dr didn't give me stockings. I had ace bandages up my legs for the first 24 hours, but on the day after my surgey in the hospital someone came in and took them off.

 

[gatiger]

Did you report it to hospital security??????????

 

[Jamie]

Gat....I think someone has been playing in the pill bottle lately, know what I'm sayin'?

 

[Tari]

In two days will be my one year anniversary of surgery and after about 7 months I was finally able to sleep for the most part, that is. I still had nights but that staying awake to
3 or 4am..sucks the big one. I ate alot and gained weight which sucked too. My best purchase to help me sleep was the body pillow.
I just think it eventually does just settle down on its own and one day your like OMG i slept I really slept. My knee is doing great but now my other knee hurts, but Im not hurrying
to surgery..hurts worst in winter and cold month..thankfully I live in Az so we have more
warm months then not. My doctor along with my brothers doctor both say they know
this problem exists they just dont know why.

Anyway. good luck to you all..Its quite a journey

 

[kiddthekatt]

Hi;
After starting my journey into the knee "thing", I thought for sure that I would never sleep at night again. I had been on pain meds since Feb, 07 and then after my failed surgeries, I was taking huge amounts of pain meds. 12 days ago, I tossed the pain meds and went cold turkey. I wouldn't recommend that to anyone, but for me it was the only way.
Five days ou of tossing the meds, I slept all night long and have slept every night since. What a joy it's been to close my eyes and not wake up until the alarm goes off. I wake up stiff, but 15 minutes of stretching before I get up sure helps. Even my dog babies are happy with me now .... because when I didn't sleep, they didn't sleep. Hubby could sleep through a tornado, so he never hardly knew when I was up.


XX
Angel

 

[Jamie]

Angel, a couple of us here have mentioned the same thing. That it's funny that something like pain pills which initially HELP you sleep can eventually keep you awake. I am glad you were able to get off them. I look forward to that day myself when I take no pain meds at all. I'm on Darvoset and have just dropped back from 8 a day to 6. I just don't need them as much, so cutting back has been very natural and not difficult - at least so far.