Triple heart by pass

[Letitia1234]

I had surgery 12 days ago.I want to no if I can sleep on my side as I have not had a proper night's sleep . It is so unnatural for me to try and sleep upright.

[Carlg]

I didn't sleep on my side for 6 weeks. Until that point my sleep was disturbed and I was napping lots. Think it was a combo of poor sleep but also body recovering.

Might be best to speak to your cardio team or review discharge notes. Mine were clear to not do it for so long.

To help I used lots of pillows to prop myself and arms up in comfortable positions

[Letitia1234 in reply to Carlg]

Thanks for your reply

[Hidden]

Dear Letitia1234

Thank you for you first { we hope of many } posts.

The sleeping question is one that is so hard to answer as its as individual as the person trying to get to that all important slumber.

So its best { I think } for you to hear from members and how they managed to achieve this, much sort after goal, of recovery.

I was told that I could sleep anyhow that I wanted, I think it was my mind that held me back.

I have always been a side sleeper all my life and found that Id rather put up with the discomfort of getting on and off my side { pillow under that arm and side } than the awful feeling I had on my back or upright. { shortness of breath, hyper aware }

You are very new into your journey and I cannot tell you how important it is to do the breathing and walking exercises that you have been given to do.

You will get there, its a time thing.

Take care

[Rhinos67]

Aww, you will get there, but it will be a few more weeks yet. I'm a side sleeper too, so really struggled after my surgery

Joanne😊

[Jako999]

when I was only a few weeks post my sleep was terrible and still is after 8 months, when I did get some sleep I used to wake up sometime and I was on my side anyway but then it was the pain that usually woke me up again anyway.

I’m afraid it’s a long road yet.

[Gail1967]

hi- I used a pillow under my shoulder & side for a few weeks so I was tilted over to the side- have never liked being on my back. Gradually the tilt over turned into a side sleep & I still remember how good it felt!! Just take it gradually but a pillow to tilt you to the side def worked for me.

[CyclingTime]

Hi yes you can, I did it but you must brace yourself and turn very carefully. I clutched a full size pillow to my chest with arms crossed holding it to my chest when turning and sleeping on my side up to about week 8/10 as I couldn't get comfortable on my side without it.

[devonian186]

I had a quadruple bypass and was able to sleep on my right side after a few days as otherwise other positions were awkward, especially being on the back. In a side position you have to be careful about the wound as you have to turn several times in order to get up and then shuffle out of bed.

. i had no specific instructions from my cardio but it would be a good idea to check with your own team to see if you have particular restrictions

[MountainGoat52]

Like Carlg it took me six weeks to be able to sleep fully on my side and then only on the right. I used pillows to prop myself and gradually reduced the angle. I would increasingly find myself tending towards sleeping on my side, but didn't get back to lying totally flat and on my side until the six week stage. It was three months before I could comfortably lie on my left side.

[looseylaw]

Hi, i am 10 weeks post op and comfortably sleeping on my side. I can’t sleep on my back very easily either. I asked my cardio nurse and she said your body will tell you. I kept trying on my side until i was comfortable with it.

You will get there, use pillows to help and if you go from side to side, be careful and take your time.

[Letsallhope1]

hi!

I had 3 open heart surgeries: one when I was a baby, one as a child and the last when I was in my twenties and I have never wondered or asked how I could sleep.

So I guess my answer is: sleep however you find comfortable, a good night sleep is so important for your recovery.

Take care

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I slept on my side as soon as I got out of ICU after my transplant, the nurses arranged my pillows so I had one under my arm, one at my head and one at my back to stop me rolling over, it was great. I didn't need the back one too long and I could do the other two myself. Char

[gorillaqueen]

Hi I’m 15 weeks post triple heart bypass and have only been able to sleep on my side for approx the last 4 weeks ( too painful) I was using extra pillows to sleep in the upright position but then found the Teddy Bear cushion ( Dunelm) which really helped and although still felt strange sleeping in that position was much more comfortable than just pillows. I like you did not sleep well for weeks and when I was able to sleep on my side it was bliss. I still get some discomfort sleeping on my side but nothing I can’t cope with. It’s very early days for you but you will get there good luck and I hope you feel better soon Xx.

[Rogo23]

I feel your pain.After my cabg I tried to sleep in bed, I tried lying flat, lying on my side with a pillow, I tried lying on my side with lots of pillow's, I tried in a semi sitting position.

And I didn't get any useful sleep, although I was often catching up in the day sitting up watching TV.

After about two weeks one night I thought that I could not face another night of bad sleep and decided to stay up a watch a box set on prime (the expanse well worth a look) and about halfway through the second episode fell asleep and got a solid six hours.

As a result I decided that I was going to sleep in a chair which I did for another five weeks,at that time I was able to get into bed lie on my side and get a proper lieing down good night's sleep.

Don't try to make your body comply with what you want, listen to the body it knows what it wants.

You will find a way to sleep that suits you, honest.

Good luck and keep going it gets better.

[ChoochSiesta]

It took me about a week before I could sleep on my sides. Such a relief!

[Anon2023]

hi. After my first OHS it took 3 months to be able to sleep on my side. After my 2nd OHS it was 2 months. I was never told that I couldn’t sleep on my side, it was just too uncomfortable. While I was sleeping on my back I was propped up by v shaped pillows and plenty of normal pillows. I used to listen to audio books until I fell asleep. Your body will tell you when you are ready to sleep on your side, if it feels comfortable then you’ll know it’s ok. Good luck.