Chair or bed??

[GD53]

Advice please. Not sleeping well, seem to be up and down most nights. Have been looking at electric dual recliners, not cheap but I think it may help my comfort and sleep.

Any help would be appreciated, whatever your experience.

Many thanks 😊 Dawn.xx

[CDPO16]

I used to sleep on the settee as I couldn't get comfortable in bed. After a home visit by a community physiotherapist I was loaned a hospital electric bed. I had considered a recliner chair but one didn't really appeal.The bed has been great and once I got used to it I have slept really well, being able to adjust it to a position that suits me. It may be worth considering if such a loan is available in your area if you have room for it.

[GD53 in reply to CDPO16]

Thanks for your reply. Sounds like a good idea especially as it worked for you. I just have uncomfortable nights and the "brain" now says NO you are not going to sleep 😑! I have an occupational therapist, never thought to contact her.

Take care. Dawn. xx

[CDPO16 in reply to GD53]

Worth asking your OT.

[Thepainterswife in reply to GD53]

My husband also has a hospital bed and it’s proved really beneficial to him too , Apart from having the top part raised the whole bed can be height adjusted so it’s easier to get in and out of ,just bare in mind that although they are single beds they do take up quite a bit of space Also ,like COPD16 , hubby tends to watch tv through the night , he often wakes for toileting and takes meds ( nebuliser etc) during the night so usually catches up and gets his best sleep between 5-11 am .

[GD53 in reply to Thepainterswife]

Thanks 😊 for your reply. An adjustable bed sounds ideal for me. Going to contact OT and see if they can help. xx

[Patk1]

Do u know why yr waking/ not sleeping x

[GD53]

Probably, mostly now habit..just can't find a comfortable position. Also worried at times , it becomes a chew on, getting out of bed, even hauling myself to sit 🙃 up in bed.Once breathing under control I can then trip to the toilet! A vicious circle for me, only time I do sleep is when I'm totally exhausted.

Any advice greatly appreciated. Dawn.xx

[CDPO16 in reply to GD53]

As I said above, the electric hospital bed has been great for me. I also have the TV on all night so that if I do wake up there is something to focus on rather than dwell on myself. I know that other members have the radio on or use talking books. Whatever gets us through the night is worth a lot.

[GD53 in reply to CDPO16]

Thanks again for your helpful ideas.Always thought about talking books so will give them a try.

My difficulty in moving for comfort in bed is that I have arthritis in multiple joints...I am not overweight, take calciferol and strong pain relief as required.

Will give OT a ring.

[Patk1 in reply to GD53]

I'd talk to yr gp see if can help u x

[eleanordigby]

I’ve got an adjustable bed, it’s fantastic, I’d never go back to an ordinary one. I bought it from a place near Portsmouth (although I live in Essex!) because it was recommended to me. This place has a shop but you can buy online too. It was comparatively cheap compared with others I saw. I used to dread going to bed but now I can up comfortably I’m fine 🙂

[GD53 in reply to eleanordigby]

Thanks for your reply. That's how I want to feel going to bed. OT may be able to help, will contact them Monday. xx

[Jansy16]

I've just bought one but only used it twice in 1 month. I've been sleeping in a rise & recline chair & can't get out of the habit of using it as every thing is close at hand. I must persevere as cost a great deal. Has anyone else had the same problem.

[GD53 in reply to Jansy16]

Thanks for your reply. Going to ring OT Monday to see if I can have an adjustable bed on loan. xx

[gbn_]

I find that sleeping propped up has indeed helped me a great deal with sleeping, be it an adjustable bed or a very comfortable recliner, has helped. I have my phone tablet with me to look at something very boring and that helps too.

[GD53 in reply to gbn_]

Thanks for your reply. Will ring OT Monday about loan of adjustable bed.May still buy recliner chair, seems having both is ideal. xx

[Jacorandax]

I was advised that using a recliner to sleep in, could cause pressure sores.

[GD53 in reply to Jacorandax]

Thanks 😊 for your reply. xx

[wb54]

I bought a dual-motor recliner from Care.Co about 6 months ago, very adjustable and is a useful backup if you can't get comfortable in bed. However, I wouldn't want to use it all the time as obviously your ability to turn on your side is rather restricted. Good luck.

[GD53 in reply to wb54]

Thanks 😊 for your reply. Going for adjustable bed through OT and buy recliner. Hopefully sorted. xx

[Lutontown]

I find it better for me to sleep sitting upright, as with my lung conditions I tend to fill up with muck if I lay flat. I started years ago, by sleeping on a chaise, then I bought a recliner chair, but didn't recline it and used a big pouffe for my legs. This is because the leg rest on recliners are too short, and my feet hang off the end. I then, with the help of my son, made a base out of a big sheet of plywood, bought some customised foam mattresses and made my own version of an adjustable bed. I now use a real adjustable bed, similar to those in hospital. Found that quite cheap in AgeUK. Recliners are usually better than most armchairs as they have a high backrest, so your head is supported better. The only thing you need to watch out for is pressure sores, as you are loading your backside heavily for a lot of hours. I use an inflatable cushion on my recliner during the day, and have memory foam on my adjustable bed

[GD53 in reply to Lutontown]

Thanks 😊 for your advice. Adjustable bed seems better option for me at present. Will get in touch with OT see if they can help. xx

[MoyB]

I often spend part of the night (or all of it sometimes) in my recliner chair. If I'm honest, it could be more comfortable.

There are lots to choose from. Some are custom made according to your size and shape, but they are expensive ie £600 a chair for one we looked at. Others are more in the small, medium or large range and some are just ordinary chairs that happen to recline as well.

We found that many didn't bring the footrest up high enough if they were the ordinary ones.

Also, some qualify for VAT relief whereas others (eg ones we got from Furniture Village called 'elevator chair') don't qualify, but are significantly cheaper.

We got the ones that will also help you stand up as were looking to future proof things and I sometimes have trouble with my knee already and kept getting stuck on our old sofa!

I've not tried an adjustable bed, but I often sleep quite well in the chair. Being more upright is often what's needed. I now have a heated throw that keeps me nice and cosy and often drift off with my book on my chest.

I hope you find something that meets your needs. The bed loan sounds like a good way to go, if it's available to you. I guess if it was on loan, it would also be regularly serviced for you too. Otherwise, if you buy one, you will need to factor that in as an added cost.

Hope you soon get something sorted out so you can enjoy a comfortable night's sleep. xx Moy

[GD53 in reply to MoyB]

Thanks 😊 for your reply. Will contact OT for loan of adjustable bed and go from there. Have seen a dual recliner, £700, looks so comfy so always have back up. 😀 xx

[Izb1]

I bought an electric recliner and do snooze sometimes in the day when I have had a bad night. It was costly but for me worth it, especially when i had my shoulder done and couldnt lift myself up. However I wouldnt want to use it as a bed as i like to sleep on my side. Try to see if you can get a bed on loan as suggested, sounds like it would be more beneficial x

[GD53 in reply to Izb1]

Thanks 😊 for your reply. Going to sort out adjustable bed with OT hopefully. Will possibly buy recliner as well. xx

[Izb1 in reply to GD53]

I do hope you can get an adjustable on loan as it will save you the cost of buying one, which in turn would then allow you to buy a recliner. I must admit I do love my recliner , just make sure you get the right size for you x

[sheshed01]

i don't know where you live but I am in USA and purchased an adjustable bed, best sleep in a long time, also I now have sleep apnea so I use C Pap which also helps with breathing. Haven't slept this well in a few years, nothing is perfect but sure has helped me I have severe COPD, best wishes for whatever you do. Mary Lou

[GD53 in reply to sheshed01]

Thanks 😊 for your reply. I live in England. It's helpful that you also suggested an adjustable bed. Will ask Occupational Therapist over here if I can have one on loan. Would also invest in recliner chair for comfort. Best wishes. Kind regards. Dawn.xx

[Buzzytruk]

Hi........We bought two recliners from ------. They are ok for sitting in , & lovely for elevating legs at the end of the day for a few hours.

They have the two systems for up and down ,back and forward.

They also have a metal frame work and if the upholstery is not as well padded as was hoped

for ,they can be rather uncumfy.

Have only spent one night in my chair ,. and I didn't sleep .

Stick with a bed......it will be far better for your back and hips , and you will get some sleep.

Jo...☺️

[GD53 in reply to Buzzytruk]

Thanks 😊 for your input Jo. The community has been brilliant and helped me make an informed choice. Best wishes. Dawn. xx

[Maximonkey]

Hi, I have an electric bed and chair. The beds are wonderful and my husband and I both sleep like babies most of the time. The chair is very supportive and reclines beautifully, however, it is not soft enough for me as I have problems with my spine and need the memory foam mattress on the bed to cushion me. If I had to choose, it would be the bed. They are not cheap but I would say they are worth every penny. Good luck and I hope you can borrow one from the loan store. Take care, Maximonkey

[Schmu]

Sometimes I wonder if we should all be trying to sleep on out stomachs? Covid patients are put in the prone (stomach) position to help with oxygenation. I wonder if bronch copd patients can also benefit?But for you, I really hate not being able to sleep at night! I am usually having an exacerbation if I cant lay flat without coughing, so I always make sure I check in with my doc if I am havingnproblems sleeping.

Sarah