trying to sleep with hf

[Immybella123]

hi everyone and thanks for letting me join.I have just officially been diagnosed with moderate heart failure and coming to terms with it.my initial problem is trying to sleep as I can’t find the best way to lay with breathlessness.any ideas will be much appreciated xx

[Blackcatsooty]

dear immybella

Welcome on board. Lots of good people on this site.

I used five pillows to build a barrier for my back, thus sleeping more upright. Also I used a teddy (a rolled up towel) placed under my knees, to stop me sliding down the bed.

Or sleep in a chair if desperate.

Relaxation techniques might help your breathlessness. I used a tinnitus relaxer with a lot of success.

Best wishes

Sooty

[HHH2017]

Hi, its a horrible scary diagnosis isn't it! I wish they'd change the name 🤷🏽‍♀️ Quite a few years ago a consultant advised me to actually raise my bed rather than raising me on pillows. So I've had the top of my bed raised approx 4inches on wooden blocks under the legs but recently we invested in having a lovely bed made and my hubby explained what I needed and they've done a grand job. It really helps me. Occasionally when breathing is really bad (usually worsened by another issue) I have to use additial pillows but not often. Hope this tip might help you too.

[MelB51]

I have an adjustable bed so that it can be raised to ease breathlessness. I also recommend ‘This Works’ a pillow spray available from M&S or online, which is pricy but I find it very soothing.

[Motorman]

I use a " Foam Bed Wedge" (Amazon) not the steep one I find the longer gentle slope best as you don't slide down as much.

[MummaSoap]

Hi Immybella

Welcome to the community, sorry to hear that you’re having difficulty sleeping. When I was first diagnosed, I was sleeping with about 4/5 pillows and then a v pillow (about £8 from Amazon) that I would basically hug half and then have half between my knees to kinda support me in position.

I know it can feel very overwhelming and uncomfortable in the beginning but once your meditation starts to take effect and your breathlessness (hopefully) begins to settle, it gets easier. I also spend 5 minutes meditating when I get into bed and just focusing on my breathing; more often than not I fall asleep before I get to the end of my meditation 😂

I hope that you’ve got lots of support around you and that you find ways that help you feel more comfortable settling down to sleep at night.

Best wishes

Soap