Sleep is elusive.. tips welcomed

[Suzie1202]

Oh my Gosh my back feels like I slept on boards last night. I can not sleep worth a darn. I took Advil PM's and it did not help. Does anyone have any tips or take anything to aid in sleep? When will this get better!?

[EWALINA]

Sorry you're not sleeping well....not an easy task early post op. Did you ask your PS if its okay to take Advil? I know that some don't allow it because ibuprofen can be blood thinning. Anyway, I suggest you try a recliner if its available or prop yourself up as much as possible. I remember sleeping on sofa a couple of nights "sitting up". Its short lived, by the end of next week you should be a little better for sleep.

[JACQELINERT]

Sweetie, first of all, I agree with Ewalina, please do not take Advil yet, it is ibuprofen, which like aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and can interfere with healing. (Ask your PS about this). Take your narcotic pain pills or extra strength Tylenol instead. Do your narcotics bother you? If your PS gave you Percocet and it makes you nauseated, you could try switching to Lortab, which has less risk of nausea.

Sleeping position helps too. I got a foam wedge from a "back" store and put it at the head of my bed. They are wonderful, much better support than a pile of pillows. Then I piled three shams/cushions/pillows to one side of me, on the inside of the bed, so I could sleep propped up by the wedge but still lean my head against a pillow. And I put a long sham under my knees. I slept well that way. You kind of turn your bed into a makeshift "reclinder" LOL!

[cheatingheart]

My ps told me I can take advil after a week, so you should be ok, but check with yours to be sure.

I've only got one night under my belt so far, but it was okay considering how miserable it was to sleep propped up in one position. I took my meds right before bed so they'd last as long as possible, and they made me so loopy I zonked right out and slept for six hours in that one position.

I'm assuming you're off the pain meds if you're a week out, so maybe that's not an option for you anymore. I'm done taking them now during the day because they make me feel so horrible, so I'll have enough to use at bedtime for a while if I need to. I'd call your ps office and ask if they have any suggestions for you. They told me they want me to sleep propped up for the first three nights and after that, however I feel comfortable. I can't wait until I feel comfortable ... in any position!

[SparkleB]

I know sleeping sucks, esp laying/sitting upright arghhhh My PS recommended I switch from my perocet and vicodin to Motrin which is both an anti-inflammtory and pain supressant. Bleeding was not a concern after the surgery. The 4th day my incisions were healed on the outside. Were you prescribed any muscle relaxers? Valium did the trick for me... one hour and I was out like a light! Best wishes dear.....

[Bethmomof6]

Benedryl knocks me out fast asleep... but I don't know if you can have that after surgery or not. I am going to ask about that to help me sleep after my BA. Good luck, I hope you sleep better tonight!!!

[Suzie1202]

My PS actually recommended Ibuprofen since my precription pain killer already had acetomenophin (tylenol) in it. I guess its ok if he says so?

[Suzie1202]

Thanks everyone!!! I think I will call him tomorrow morning and see if he will prescribe some valium for me!!!! LOL I crack myself up though, I can sleep on my side now but I am afraid my boobs will heal sideways!! haha I know its funny but I just want them perfect!!

[rhijennings]

Originally Posted by Suzie1202

Thanks everyone!!! I think I will call him tomorrow morning and see if he will prescribe some valium for me!!!! LOL I crack myself up though, I can sleep on my side now but I am afraid my boobs will heal sideways!! haha I know its funny but I just want them perfect!!

I wondered the same thing

[blondy_baby13]

How about trying a heating pad for your back?? I have read about that on other posts from people. Or what about those stick on pads that activate when you take them out of the package...there really for period cramps (playtex makes some i think) but maybe you could stick one on your back during the day cause that way you can move around with it and use the heating pad at night. havn't had my Ba yet but heat always makes my sore muscles feel better. HTH
Tara

[Annie]

Originally Posted by Suzie1202

Oh my Gosh my back feels like I slept on boards last night. I can not sleep worth a darn. I took Advil PM's and it did not help. Does anyone have any tips or take anything to aid in sleep? When will this get better!?

Sorry you are not sleeping well, have you tried a bunch of pillows surrounding you? Do you have a recliner chair those could help, maybe anyway. Hope you get some good sleep soon, its still early, this should pass soon.

[terriml]

I am managing to sleep pretty well, but my back is quite stiff in the mornings ... my doctor told me Advil was okay as long as I wasn't overdoing it ... but he didn't actually specify what "overdoing" it was ... I just opted to not take it another week or two just to be on the safe side. I am also just starting to start sleeping on my side - but I am taking mini steps - a couple nights ago I propted myself in a 20 degree angle just so the girls could get used to hanging to the side ... so I am working on a complete side sleep!

[Victory]

Originally Posted by JACQELINERT

Sleeping position helps too. I got a foam wedge from a "back" store and put it at the head of my bed. They are wonderful, much better support than a pile of pillows. Then I piled three shams/cushions/pillows to one side of me, on the inside of the bed, so I could sleep propped up by the wedge but still lean my head against a pillow. And I put a long sham under my knees. I slept well that way. You kind of turn your bed into a makeshift "reclinder" LOL!

I did the same as Jacquelinert; I bought a memory foam wedge and also added a knee wedge to keep me upright and from sliding. A good pillow or two would suffice if a knee wedge can't be found. I didn't think I'd be able to sleep upright, but it was no problem with these things, especially when you add in the very excellent prescription pain relief! I also think that it's true that in just a few days, you may not need any of these things. Hang in there, it DOES get better. I'm 16 days out and am sleeping almost in my old normal sleeping positions. Bagged the wedge at a week or so.

[lilhokie]

After I was able to sleep on my side, I found the most comfortable position was on my side hugging a pillow close to my chest. It kind of kept the girls from moving around too much.

[Peachesp313]

This was a temporary fix for me in the wee hours of this morning: I put a pillow under my back, but only on the right side, which helped me to kind of lay on my left side and take some of the strain off my back. It was very comfy for about 2 hours, then the back started aching again. But for that couple of hours I was sleeping nicely!
I also put a smaller pillow under my legs, where my knees bend. That helped with the lower back pain, which is much less than the upper back pain I'm dealing with.
HTH!!

[March26]

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