Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

by derbylou 15th December 2010, 1:38 pm

Hi girls

After over 4 weeks of sleeping flat on my back I have the most terrible low back pain which is waking me several times in the night, and I often can't get back to sleep.

Not used to sleeping on my back as always used to sleep on my side. My PS advised me to sleep flat on my back for 3 months.

Just wanted to know if anyone else was told this and how did you cope. Did anyone go back to their PS/nurse and ask whether OK to sleep on their side and if so at what point post op.

Would love to sleep comfortably on my side and get a good nights sleep!

Any advice on this would be very much appreciated as always xxxxxx

by **COOKIE** 15th December 2010, 1:45 pm

I'm not one for advising against your PSs advice but three months on your back does seem a little extreme. I just listened to my own body and slept on my side when I felt it was comfortable to do so.

If you feel ready to try sleeping on your side, maybe call your clinic and explain how you're feeling and that you would be more comfortable? If you're healing well I shouldn't imagine thre would be a problem, but if your surgeon insist its not right for 'you' then they must have their reasons hun.

I 'think' I was back on my side with the assistance of my V pillow from around the same stage you are now hun. xx

by dimpledee 15th December 2010, 1:47 pm

Hi hun
I think every ps is different. I was in Nuffield and the nurse told to sleep at a 30 degrees incline and not upright. So for 2 weeks thats what i did but rolled up a towel at my lower back where the natural arch is. Didnt get any sore backs.
Went for my post op check and saw my ps (who - not that im saying is any better than anyones elses ps :-) but is a breast surgeon for cancer and reconstruction etc) said that this is a myth and to do what feels comfortable for me??????????
In hindsight i could not have lay flat at first anyway as it was too sore, so now 2 weeks post op and am sleeping on my side flat now. Its a difficult one cause everyone trusts their surgeon and they all seem to give different opinions. Big hugs though
xxx

by pinkbabe 15th December 2010, 3:00 pm

How about putting a soft pillow under your back to give you support. 3 months does seem a long time to me aswell maybe try sleeping on you side one night and see how you feel if its comfy ring your clinic and explain that you have a bad back and can you sleep on your side now as your naturally doing so in your sleep anyway. I'm sure you'd be ok though. xx

by NurseSophie89 15th December 2010, 3:03 pm

3months! Bloody hell I couldnt have coped with that!!! I think i was back on my side by around say 12/13, i just couldnt cope on my back anymore! In saying that though, pre ba i slept on 2 pillows, post ba i sleep on 3pillows, and i still sleep with my Vpillow supporting my boobs, infact i cant sleep without it now, its been surgically attached since i got my boobs lol!

Id say go with what your body tells you darling, if you feel comfy on your side, then sleep on your side!x

by kittie 15th December 2010, 6:42 pm

I think I was back on my side at around 2-3 weeks post op. Call your clinic if you're nervous about it but I'd say 3 months is plenty and if you feel ready for it it should be fine.

by alfie 15th December 2010, 6:56 pm

I was about a fortnight before I slept on my side hun, and that was because I must have rolled over in my sleep, while still hugging the v pillow, so after that I just slept however I felt comfy. xx

by Crystal 15th December 2010, 7:40 pm

Have to say i couldnt have done 3 months on my back!

I done 1st few weeks on my back propped up with pillows then slept on my side & then about 3 months post-op turned onto my tummy with pilllows to support.
Like the others have said go with what your comfey doing shrug

by derbylou 15th December 2010, 7:46 pm

Hi Girls

Thanks for all your comments - pretty much what I was thinking. When my PS said 3 months I nearly fell off my chair and the last four and a half weeks on my back have been very uncomfy.

Cant wait to try my side tonight! Will try with a pillow under my boobies to keep them supported.

Thanks again everyone xxxxxx

by carol_s 15th December 2010, 7:49 pm

Wow, 3 months. I asked my PS before I was discharged and he said about 4 days would be his absolute minimum recommendation (but if I could go longer, then do it). I'm now down to just 2 pillows and my back pain is slowly starting to ease.
I seem to be OK lying at 45° on my right side too (but not on my left side).
I would definitely have another word with your surgeon and mention the terrible back pain that this is causing you hunnie.
xx

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Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!

Re: Sleeping - any advice appreciated!!!