How to sleep with pain?

[Peebles2sarah]

Does anyone have any tips on how to sleep while in pain? I’m up constantly all night due to pelvic pain and no amount of meds, heat pad, etc are working.. I am over a week post op now. Not sure how I’m going to recovery if I can’t even sleep. I was up all night again last night.

[K-Endo]

I was worried about this after post op as I’m still in a lot of pain and discomfort but luckily I take amitriptyline to help with IBS ( doesn’t work for IBS ) but does put me to sleep. I didn’t take them whilst in hospital but took once last night and I had a full nights sleep( still woke up feeling like crap but at least I got the sleep) Don’t know if it’s something you can ask GP for but it got me to sleep last night ❤️

[Peebles2sarah in reply to K-Endo]

I’m seeing her today so maybe she will give me something like that.. I just really don’t think she wants me to take medication for sleeping due to dependency. She’s pretty concerned about that which is bittersweet same with narcotics :/

[EndoJaz]

Valerian is a great natural sleep aid. X

[Peebles2sarah in reply to EndoJaz]

Thank you

[Michelle19]

Hi,

This will sound silly but I used my pregnancy pillow as it’s flat in the middle and a cushion at either side, it’s helped me sleep as my tummy was supported. Didn't sleep all night but was much easier and if I had to move was much easier to move as there was support on the other side. Even using a smaller cushion might help xx

[Peebles2sarah]

That sounds so smart! I’m going to look into getting one

[Hannah0091]

Passion flower extract helps me to sleep 👍 x

[Abbs7664]

I love using a guided meditation for sleep! There are some on youtube, and some good ones to download for free. I also use a lavender fabric spray on my covers to help me relax.

Hope you get some relief soon!x

[Peebles2sarah in reply to Abbs7664]

Thank you xx

[Cupcake1617]

I also had a pregnancy pillow and used a normal pillow and put it under my legs/bum. I found lying flat on a bed so so painful, but it eased when my legs were slightly raised. Also meant being wedged in with pillows I couldn’t move far when I slept! X

[Peebles2sarah in reply to Cupcake1617]

I used a body pillow folded up under my knees which helped a lot! I just am having a lot of trouble with the pain on my right side from oopherectomy and saphingectomy

[Cupcake1617 in reply to Peebles2sarah]

Ooh I’m waiting for oopherectomy. How different would you say post op is compared to laparoscopy?

[Peebles2sarah in reply to Cupcake1617]

Mine was laparoscopic luckily, but a lot longer recovery. It’s been almost two weeks and I’m still having a lot of pain on that side and fatigue. 4 incisions this time versus two. Definitely a much longer recovery. However, I used activated charcoal tablets this time which completely eliminated the gas pains

[Aino26]

I've recently invested in a gravity blanket as I suffer from insomnia and being permenantly uncomfortable doesn't help. Im not sure about the weight of a gravity blanket post op but it's currently my savior as it helps me relax and fall asleep more easily. I was previously taking prescription sleeping pills every night which isn't healthy. I still have the occasional sleeping pill but only twice in the last two weeks. I definitely recommend buying a gravity blanket, it's pricey but worth it. Even if I don't get enough sleep, I feel more rested and less lethargic during the day as the blanket seems to promote better quality sleep. Melatonin is good too for a natural sleeping pill. I've previously ordered them from the puritan pride in the USA as we can't buy them here. I also occasionally drink turmeric golden milk with nutmeg before bed. Nutmeg promotes sleep and turmeric is an anti inflammatory. There's lots of recipes on Google for it

[Peebles2sarah in reply to Aino26]

Thank you for all the suggestions xx