Tips for sleeping on your back - its a nightmare

[haciendaplaya]

Into my 5th week after my quadruple heart bypass and seeking any top tips to help me sleep from anyone. Anyone taking additional sleeping tablets?

Thanks so much for responding - Suzanne

[Hidden]

Hi, when I was 5 weeks post op sleeping was a real issue (am 10 weeks post op now and it's still an issue but getting easier). I used to take a couple of codiene/paracetamol before going to bed and I use a triangular wedge pillow on top of which I put two normal pillows to be as upright as possible as lying flat is uncomfortable. Also find sleeping on the couch more comfortable than my bed as it's more upright.

[haciendaplaya in reply to Hidden]

Will try that. The problem is waking up with ur neck and shoulder in a spasm!!

[080311]

Hi, my normal sleeping position is on my side so after my op sleeping on my back was a problem, a V shaped pillow helped also I had a rolled up baby blanket that I use to wrap my arms around, for some reason it made me feel more secure! That blanket use to be with me all day it helped if I needed to cough or sneeze! (Family christened it Mums Teddy!) Remember vividly the first time I managed to get on my side to sleep bliss! Hope you can get a good nights sleep soon, remember things do improve as your sternum starts to heal.

Stay safe best wishes Pauline

[haciendaplaya in reply to 080311]

Thks will give it a go. I can actually turn on my side and would be able to sleep on it but my surgeon has told me for the 1st six weeks NOT to so will just have to grim and hear it 😀

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I used an adjustable backrest:

NRS Healthcare L98229 Healthcare Adjustable Angle Back Rest (Eligible for VAT Relief in The UK) amazon.co.uk/dp/B003LPUWEK/...

which I gradually lowered over the weeks. Because of breastbone pain I took a reducing dose of Tramadol for the first month. When I was on one a day I took it before bed. Some people use a Vee-pillow.

[haciendaplaya in reply to MichaelJH]

Tramadol makes me go loopy!! So won’t be able to take them !!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to haciendaplaya]

I was on eight a day when I broke my femur! But then we all react differently..

[080311 in reply to MichaelJH]

My goodness Michael you don’t do things by half do you! Stay safe Pauline

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to 080311]

It's all plated and screwed!

[080311 in reply to MichaelJH]

Woo,

husband broke his knee cap on board ship had his done in Singapore bone graft and screws! Hope everything is ok now with you.

[Supernanu]

Hello Suzanne

I had a v shaped pillow on top of another normal pillow. And then had one more on each side so it felt as if I was in a cocoon.

My back also used to hurt by the morning but I would then sit in my recliner armchair and it would ease.

Now at 8 weeks post op I am able to sleep on my side, but sad to say that sometimes hurts my breastbone!!

So I alternate from back to side.

And I still wear my bra at night because it gives extra support.

But be assured it does get better and I am now sleeping fairly well.

Hope you soon feel better.

Nicole 😊💤😊

[haciendaplaya in reply to Supernanu]

Good to hear it gets better that’s for sure 😀

[NyMets]

hi, we bought a memory foam “triangle” to help with sleeping upright to help the healing … worked for me, now on pillows.