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Sleeping for England

It IS heavenly, and amazing. I got really frustrated the first months after surgery as I still had major sleep issues. Some due to post-op uncomfortableness, definitely not back sleeper before and with Bilateral THR anterior approach no choices but back, and I'm guessing just like body has to readjust to standing right, walking right after t years, your sleep cycle needs time too. It wasn't until about 4 months out before truly able to sleep like a normal human being.
But I made it and it's here...Morpheus be blessed.
 
I got a question if anyone can help with. Most of my sleep problems thru the night are due to everytime I turn over in bed I wake up, sometimes very briefly, sometimes longer. For the past few nights I've noticed it's even more painful if I lie on my bad side - just have to find the absolute correct angle then it was ok - not any more. But also now if I lie face down that is very painful too at bad hip and thigh area. Is this just a sign that things are getting worse? and be glad I've only got 23 nights to go. Someone who I see regularly thought my limping walk was looking worse than it did a week ago. thanks.
 
@Tomgirl I can still get comfortable sleeping on either side but also get disrupted when I change positions and have trouble getting back to sleep. I'm not sure it's because of the hip or because when I wake my mind starts racing with all that needs to be done in the next few weeks! I can sleep for short periods on my stomach, and that actually feels good as it seems to stretch something in my hips. I'm not a back sleeper but I am trying it since I know I'll have to do it for awhile. I usually end up snoring myself awake though.
 
@Tomgirl one month today for me having same problem with sleeping go off for a while then get woken by pain from moving usually then have to get up to take a pee ( problem for us men of a certain age !) Feeling anxious but in a way excited as the date gets closer so looking forward to getting rid of this oa pain and being able to walk normally again likewise things getting more awkward almost day by day.
 
@Tomgirl what are you taking for pain relief? I have been told to stop all NSAIDS and find that paracetamol does zilch for me and codeine makes me a bit queasy so just trying to ride through it
 
thanks @mcopt I'm taking paracetamol max dose daily, tried cutting back on this as don't like taking too many of these but been been to max dose for a while now. Also have codeine, makes me sleepy but again don't want to take one every night. I asked my doc a couple of months ago if there was anything else available as pain was worse and was prescribed Amitriptyline 10mg, these help me sleep but the following day I really feel 'out of my head' so spaced out, wouldn't even think about driving. I realised perhaps I was taking Ami too late at night so now when I'm going to take one it's around 5pm but next day is still as bad. As I'm still working this can be a problem!! So I have to plan when I'm going to take one. Something definitely seems to have changed pain wise over the past week. You could be right - just need to ride thru it till 15th Nov. Agree with you feeling anxious and looking forward to the op.
 
Hi @Tomgirl
Anxiety and anticipation....aaah, I remember as though it was yesterday. It's been four months
though and time moves way more quickly afterward than you'd imagine.
You will soon be on this side with all the OA pain and anxiety behind you.
I do recall in those last weeks, just as you, that positions I once found comfortable sleeping in were no longer working. My sleep was much more interrupted. I really didn't need meds as I wasn't in constant pain
but normal everyday activity continued to be more of a problem. Getting in and out of my vehicle, became one of the most painful movements of the day! You will soon find relief from the many things that have become so difficult. I'm excited for you!
Best wishes for comfort and peace of mind as you await you're big day.
Stay in touch so we can encourage and cheer you on in your recovery.
 
Bad news...at this stage..nothing much helps sleep or pain.
Good news, don't have to worry if you need THR.
I'm so sorry you are suffering but I didn't sleep for over a year, and effective pain meds were elusive.
Glad your date is soon even if it feels like forever.:loveshwr:
 
Hi @Tomgirl, I haven't been able to sleep on my bad hip or on my stomach for ages now. Not a great back sleeper, and my previous go to of sleeping on the good side is now giving me a sore shoulder. Can't win, but hey, 23 sleeps to go... :happydance:I'm alternating between back and good (left) side, whilst waking every time I move. :tiredwheel:
I'm allergic and intolerant to quite a few pain meds (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen) and anti-inflammatories (Meloxicam, Voltaren...), and Tramadol didn't help, so am not taking anything. Haven't tried Codeine yet, but OS doesn't want me to; said he doesn't have many options left for after surgery as it is. *meh*
Not much longer now...
 
Hey @Tomgirl . It's creeping on up here...in a few short weeks you will be on your way.
The recovery process is not near as daunting as dealing with that hip pain so I am excited you don't have long.
All the temporary pain and annoyances led back to Life Anew for me.
Hope you have a peaceful day.
 
thanks @Mojo333 pain/sleeping patterns are all over the place but think I've now got the hang when to take Amitriptyline at night. Don't feel so spaced out but think it will be a bit of a slow day. If I can get a bit of work done I'll be happy but must remember not to sit to long. Oh just so much to think about! But not long now. Your posts are so inspiring to read......and have a laugh too.
 
Hi @Tomgirl
Down to two weeks until your big day. Hopefully you're getting enough rest at night to function
throughout the day. I recall having mixed emotions. Some days I wanted surgery to happen sooner, other days I wished it was months away. I'm excited for you...now being on the other side myself. Surgery will bring you so much relief and recovery really does fly by. Best wishes for comfort and some restful sleep as you wait out these final days.
 
Hello, just got back from the 'Education session' at the hospital. Interesting. The talk was run by physio so I sort of knew which way this was going. Yes to the exercises 3 times per day, instructions for stairs, in and out of cars, and a general feeling of it's all easy peasy. Mmmm. But, she said a lot of the old precautions did now not apply so we didn't have to sleep on our backs - sleep any how we like. Someone said her surgeon said that in a few months time the wearing of the stockings would come off the precautions list. Physio person wouldn't comment on this.
Had only been back home a little while and I got a call from Occupational Therapist who wanted to know what equipment I thought I might need. They are having the ususal bits delivered next week but they will check with me again when I'm in for the op. On the phone she asked if I'd like a stool to sit on in the kitchen for when I'm err drying the dishes or ironing!!!! Must confess here that we do have a dishwasher and I had no intention of drying dishes till oh perhaps next september!! I hadn't even thought about ironing. Said I had a hubby for things like that, which she thought was the best answer. Note to self.... Must get some of hubby's favourite meals made and in the freezer. He's the greatest.
It's all getting more real now thank goodness. 12 and half days to go.
 
A person from PT presented half of my class yesterday, but thankfully the message was rather low key on the PT for after surgery - just try the exercises, don't do anything that hurts, outpatient PT is available but not usually needed, etc. He did have us get up and do some of the pre-op exercises that they recommend and encouraged us to do some movement in preparation for surgery, and we got free pedometers to track steps before and after surgery if we wanted.
 
Hi @Susan209 doing ok, spent most of past few days catching up on work, and sister came round to give me a hand with house stuff. All going according to plan.....so far. OT lady is coming on thursday morning with thing for the toilet and frame, grabbers, sticks, and can't remember what else. Every time I've gone to the hospital nurses have reminded me to do my music playlist, Thinking about that now. Quite like Rod Stewart 'First cut is the deepest' and Berlin's 'Take my Breathe away' but somehow doesn't seem quite appropriate to listen and relax to just before the op. Only 7 1/2 days for me, probably just 7 for you. Nearly there.
 
@Tomgirl
You Funny Girls! You two need to take that show on the road!
Love it.....humor does a body good. It will get you through all of this in the best way!
Each suggestion....funny but "First Cut Is The Deepest" almost made me spit out my coffee!!
@jaydub63
 
@Tomgirl the only thing that helped with my pain pre op was heat. Hubby would get me a heat pack and it felt like heaven but as soon as it cooled I was in pain again. We had busy nights heating things lol
 
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