Pillow recommendations please

[dubsta]

Hi, had OHS last Wednesday, came home yesterday and thought I would sleep like a baby, I didn’t. I have a V pillow and loads of normal pillows but I simply couldn’t get comfy and have the same back ache as I had in hospital. Getting a wedge pillow picked up for me today, but is there any other options? Many thanks.

[080311]

Morning dubsta,

Getting comfortable after surgery is one of the hardest things we go through. Apart from the broken sternum, we are put into some very extreme positions on the table, told arms behind our back! And in these positions for a long period of time.

Remember to keep taking your pain medication on a regular basis, and gentle walking will help. I am a side sleeper and sleeping on my back I found difficult, the first time I could get on my side was bliss! Managed this at about 6 weeks. You will find each day things become easier. But it’s 8-10 weeks before we completely heal.

It’s baby steps, you will get there, just not as quickly as we think we should.

Best wishes Pauline

[dubsta in reply to 080311]

Thank you so much. Yeh im usually a side sleeper too. Had a good nap without pain using a pillow under my knees that a lovely member recommended! It was a game changer for me. Xxxx

[gilreid1]

Unfortunately I can only speak of my own personal experience. Sleeping was a luxury after my bypass and no matter what I tried could not get more than a couple of hours. It was not caused by pain other than the usual just could not sleep. Hopefully you resolve this soon but don’t worry your body will adjust

Take care

[dubsta in reply to gilreid1]

Thank you so much xx

[Hidden]

Hi have not had bypass but you could try pillows under your knees to take pressure off lower back when you sleep on your back. A memory foam pillow might be comfortable and as it is heavier may stay in place. I’m assuming the wedge is for your upper body. I should sleep on my back but I find Now my chest feels like a small child is sitting on it / going to suffocate. Wish you well with recovery!

[dubsta in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, oh i used the pillow under my knees when i went for a nap - omg game changer! Thank you so much 💖 it was that comfy I didn’t want to get up! Yeh the wedge is a memory foam one and i believe you put your pillow on top. Be nice to have different options. Thank you for your recommendation xxx

[Hidden in reply to dubsta]

Glad you got some rest, it’s so important, decent sleep helps us deal with life a little better!

[dubsta in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 💕💕💕xxx

[Hidden]

Dear dubsta

Welcome to the twilight of sleep and that nagging part that makes you think that you will never be comfortable again.

Trial and error trial and error { bet you hate me now } because you are an individual person and what works for one wont for another.

Like others have said you have to take time to reflect what your poor body has gone through during that magnificent operation that hopefully will give you some normality back.

My ten pennies worth {you wont follow this as no-one Ive told so far has} is to use a buck-wheat pillow, I found them brilliant {and still do}

Get well soon and take care.

[Blackcatsooty in reply to Hidden]

I used a tinnitus relaxer to get me off to sleep. Also put pillows under my knees to reduce slipping down the bed. Of course it was sitting upright. Paracetamol gets me four hours of sleep, so twice a night helped. I also slept with a light on. But regarding pillows, I used five in a semi circle.Keep positive, it is bliss when you get to sleep with two pillows and your own preference. Progress is good with OHS, so be a patient patient and recovery will soon be with you.

Blackcatsooty.

[dubsta in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thank you 🙏 managed a good nap, used a pillow under my knees and it worked a treat! Xxx

[dubsta in reply to Hidden]

Oh thanks for your reply. Well never say never, i will investigate for sure. Thank you xxx

[Heather1957]

I had my bypass in 2017, tried sleeping in bed for a few nights but gave up and slept in a recliner for about a week. It helped especially as I always have to go to the loo a few times a night!

[dubsta in reply to Heather1957]

Thank you x

[Nettekin]

Hi dubsta. All great replies from our helpful members. My own bit of advice is to have yet another(!) pillow or rolled up blanket right at the bottom of the bed. Being slightly vertically challenged I found being propped up led to me ending up in a small heap at the bottom of the bed by morning! This was following completely different surgery to yours, but necessitated sleeping on my back for a few weeks. It was such bliss when I could finally sleep on my side again. Best wishes for a speedy revovery. X

[dubsta in reply to Nettekin]

Oh thank you, if i start sliding down the bed i will try this, thank you x

[Hidden]

Hi dubsta,

A wedge pillow was suggested here for me when I had my OHS January 2021.

Used it from day 1 at home and for a few weeks after. Only way I could sleep. It doesn’t move around like pillows or sag. Helped a lot with sore shoulder blades which is a very common complaint after OHS.

The only down side was a numb bum and sore heels as I was not used to lying on my back. Those were soon overcome by a pillow under my knees to stop me sliding down the bed and bed socks with moisturizer on for the heels.

Good luck and sleep well!

Maisie

[dubsta in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much, yeh the pillow under knees has been a game changer for the lower back ache. Thank you, will get hubby to cream my heels with moisturiser but im still wearing the horrendous compression stockings - be glad when they can come off too as add to more heat. X

[Templar889]

Hi. I bought a hard memory foam pillow and slept like a baby clutching it to my chest at night while lying on my side. Good luck.

[dubsta in reply to Templar889]

Thank you x

[Greencat59]

It’s gutting to be dying to get home from hospital to get sleep and then not to manage to sleep! As a side sleeper I struggled to get comfy. Pillow under knees, pillow under both arms to wedge me in, hot water bottle under my shoulder and I kicked my husband out of our bed for first few weeks! It worked and sleep was had!

[dubsta in reply to Greencat59]

Aww poor husband. Yeh im finding more props around is the answer. Thanx x

[Puffin1963]

I’m now 3 months post surgery and getting comfy in bed has been a real challenge ! But now I can sleep on my side and front if position myself carefully- I used to get up a couple of times in the night just to ease the back pain - in time sleep will improve !

[dubsta in reply to Puffin1963]

Thank you, good to know x

[sampaloc0624]

What i did was to stay on a recliner on the early onset, kept me in a good position with pillow wedges on my sides. This way, i sort of removed my anxiety that i may have a bad position when i am asleep. The heart shaped pillow given after bypass will be your “capt america” shield. I dont know who designed it, but it really does wonders from a wedge on the side to a hug pillow to a pressure pillow to relieve pain. I take some pain meds before sleeping so i will not be awakened by pain. You need more sleep for faster recovery. However you get it comfortably will be fine. Keep well

[dubsta in reply to sampaloc0624]

Thank you for replying, unfortunately in the UK we don’t get any cushion from the hospital so im just using a regular cushion on my chest and supports around my body to keep me in one place. Thanks for replying x

[Kimkat]

I feel for you as my Father in law had it years ago and he complained of the lack of sleep but it does get better and it’s only a week after your op, which probably feels like a month but you’ll get there. He found it a lot easier to be as upright as possible, so perhaps a lot of pillows behind you or even one of those wedge pillows could help? I wish you a speedy recovery .

[dubsta in reply to Kimkat]

Thank you, yeh im finding more upright with lots of support around is the ideal. Thank you for replying x

[Colum]

Hi,after my ohs I slept on a large v shaped bean bag,only way I could get any sleep it was brilliant.

[dubsta in reply to Colum]

Thank you for responding. Yeh got a v pillow and it helps alot. X

[linnielizzie]

Morning - Just another angle as you are receiving lots of practical ideas from the lovely hearties. Sleep is going to be elusive and difficult for 6 or so weeks at least, so although I realise this sounds trite at this very moment in time try and go with the flow. The biggest issue I had sleeping was 'me'. Once I gave into the whole healing process and slept when and as I could and stopped fighting the normal pattern it was a game changer. If you can't sleep read a book, make some tea or watch a film or late night rubbish TV but whatever you do don't start stressing that you can't get comfortable - you won't be comfortable for a while - just sink into repairing body mode and embrace the new normal. It only lasts a short while in the grand scheme of things and before you know it you will be back. Sending a big hug your way and good luck.

[dubsta in reply to linnielizzie]

Oh thank you, thats great advice! Yeh ive only napped when ive needed it and at the moment gone up to bed after falling asleep downstairs. I will be mindful not to go to bed when im not ready. Thank you so much x

[Cornishbeach]

Hi DubstaI also asked this question to the Hearties early on after my OHS. I used a wedge and then pillows on top to form a V and definitely the one or two under my knees for about 4 weeks. Painkillers are a must. I took 6 hourly paracetamol for the first few weeks and a dihydrocodeine at night and then tailed off the codeine at about week 4. I still take 2 paracetamol at night to help me drift off.

I then went to the pillows in an upside down V as I was able to move onto my side a bit (only my left though). This let me hug a pillow. Oh it is bliss when you don't have to sleep on your back all the time.

I'm now week 12 and still sleep with a V of pillows and alternate from left side to back. I still have to get up for the loo once sometimes twice in the night but I've got used to that and it does ease aches!

I still can't seem to settle on my right side as I get pain between my shoulder blades.

I also use a black out mask from sunrise and this has been great at giving me an extra few hours of deep sleep.

You will get there - I was very frustrated that I couldn't settle but the weeks have flown by. Keep up the walking and you will soon be improving. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[dubsta in reply to Cornishbeach]

Oh thank you, yeh my wedge pillow has arrived today do will try some combinations with normal pillows and the v pillow. Its more exhausting than i ever imagined but its early days isn’t it. Yeh i think walking is key so will make sure i am doing what i can. Thank you x

[Beatles1956]

Hi DubstaI tried taking myself off to lie in/on the bed after lunch, still couldn't sleep, but rested. I used a V pillow, not brilliant but better than lying flat. I found a pillow under my knees helped, and also pulling a flat pillow down from behind my head to just under my right shoulder, so it felt a bit like laying on the side. That worked for me, hope it helps you.😃

Incidentally, my PJ's were regularly soaking in sweat, apparently that's down to the reaction to the heart and what it's been through.

Don't worry if you manage to nod off in front of the telly, your body needs it.

All the best.👍

[dubsta in reply to Beatles1956]

Oh thank you. Managed a good nap this pm and my wedge pillow has arrived so fingers crossed! Xxx

[Heather1957]

My cough pillow was a folded over old towel wrapped up with medical tape. I saw some lovely ones in the States (on line) that were not available in the UK. I bought a special mattress which is comfortable (now) but never helped when I came out of hospital, I also had a v shaped pillow which again, I use now but didn't do any good in the early days.

As I posted earlier for me, sleeping in the recliner was ideal, I was given co-codimol when I was discharged and could take 8 a day, I timed it so I would take my last 2 when I was ready for sleep as the pain killers made me a bit woozy so ideal.

[dubsta in reply to Heather1957]

Thank you for taking the time to reply . X

[Petercat1]

Hi.I had a thoracic vest (like a straight jacket) on for a few weeks and that was really uncomfortable, I too was a side sleeper before the op, but had to just stack pillows up so I was more or less sitting upright. I used to sleep about 2hrs, then got really uncomfortable and had to readjust the pillows to get comfy and another couple of hours sleep. I must admit I cried quite a lot in the first few weeks at night. I didn't want to go to bed at all. It was quite a few weeks before I managed to lay flat in bed, then a few more before I tentatively slept on my side.

Some members on here have slept in reclining chairs when they first came out of hospital as they found that more comfortable.

Hope you're sleeping better now.

Best wishes,

Denise

[dubsta in reply to Petercat1]

Oh thanks, poor you. Its a tough time isn’t it. Ive managed a good nap today and my wedge has arrived! 👍🙏x

[JoN1970]

The only thing I have found together with the V pillow and two pillows is a head rest ( it is?a bit more hit than miss - which comes from equipment hire via your Adult Care?Services - your local council. Hope you get some shut eye. 😴

[dubsta in reply to JoN1970]

Thanks, yeh i have been using one of those travel pillows you put around your neck to keep it in position and it seems to be working. Thanks for replying x

[dubsta]

Thank you for replying. Im getting better sleep , well did last night so fingers crossed it continues to improve x

[Mum-of-2-cats]

Have you thought about a body pillow? You can get them on Amazon, they are basically a 9ft pillow that goes all around your body & cocoons it & keeps it from solidifying down. It can be used with a normal pillow under your knees

[dubsta in reply to Mum-of-2-cats]

Hi, yes have seen those, thanks. The wedge and v cushion have worked last night so fingers crossed. If not then i will look at the body ones. Thank you x