How to improve the quality of my sleep post surgery

[Catfeeder]

Hello, feeling brave, second post of the evening......

I am 7 weeks in from my surgery and finding I am still not sleeping pain free and would appreciate any tips for this

I normally lie on my right side with a pillow between my knees to keep my hips aligned but I wake with pains in my right leg and pins and needles in my right hand if I lie on my back

Thankyou x

[MarleyZ]

You need to mention this to your oncologist or contact your GP unsure how bad the pain is, it may just be the wound healing underneath that will take a bit of time, mostly it's twinges, most times if that is the annoyance in getting to sleep take and over the counter medicine ie paracetamol or ibuphoren, you should have a number to contact ie cancer team they are pretty good, I found when sleeping using pillows to elevate the legs slightly helped and a hot water bottle may also stop the pins and needles, are you able to sleep on left hand side I know that took me a bit of time right hand side was easier, didn't have alot of pain though sleep always and issue.

[Catfeeder in reply to MarleyZ]

Thanks form responding, I am still taking paracetamol and down to 1 a day tramadol and come off next week, so I do wonder if some of it is me worrying about pain relief, but I will mention it to my CNS next week.

[Cropcrop]

I think I’d likely mention it to my medical team, the pain is likely just internal healing but I would have thought you’d be able to sleep as you would normally by now. I was able to sleep prone on my side again (bliss) after around 4 weeks post op. It’s likely nothing to worry about but it’s simply what we now do with our disease but try not to overthink things. Take care and stay safe ❤️Xx Jane

[Catfeeder in reply to Cropcrop]

Hi, yes I will mention it and Thankyou for taking the time to reply

The forum is great, I am able to just put thoughts out there and not frighten anyone or make them laugh!

Karen x

[MOOKIE-FOX1234]

I had never had major surgery before, except for a hip replacement . My surgery was August 2019 , sometimes I mention tenderness to my oncologist and she replies that its the scar tissue. I notice that sometimes zippers and seams can rub the incision area , still. I think that the pillow under your legs is good advice I still elevate my legs at night since they ache.

Good luck, I hope that the suggestions are of help.

.all the best.

Gill Mookie Fox

[Catfeeder in reply to MOOKIE-FOX1234]

thankyou Gill

[MOOKIE-FOX1234 in reply to Catfeeder]

Your welcome. You could try warm milk and honey at bedtime or a sprinkle of lavender on your pillow .