Hip pain and bed: I have difficulty in sleeping... - Pain Concern

Pain Concern

39,126 members12,050 posts

Hip pain and bed

Madlegs1 profile image
30 Replies

I have difficulty in sleeping , what with sore hips - bursitis, and lower back pain.

I often find that sleeping on a sofa is a good position for avoiding pressure on the hips, and gives support for my back.

My question is-- would I be better off buying a sofa as a bed, or getting a new memory foam mattress that are recommended for my situation?

Any comments or suggestions would be welcome from those who have tried either!

Thanks.

Written by
Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
30 Replies
greekqueen profile image
greekqueen

Hi, I would totally recommend an electric leather recliner, I have been sleeping in one for a year and have no pain that I would have in a bed. I also use a long neck and back heating and this helps with both sleep and pain.I feel the recliner support my whole body and it is like sleeping on a cloud, with you not having to ever go on your side, your hips, push yourself off a bed or roll over. I find it amazing and often get strange looks when I say I don't sleep in a bed, my children think I am mad and missing out but I would never go back to a bed again.

I got mines from Amazon then Argos before that, around £250, middle of the range one.

Lila

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply togreekqueen

Thanks - I hadn't thought of that. I'll check it out.

lupus_01 profile image
lupus_01

Try a memory foam mattress topper. I bought one for my bed and it is great for my hips

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply tolupus_01

Yes- I have a thin one- about 5cm, but it doesn't protect the hips enough.

That's why I might try a thicker one.

Thank you.

Batty1 profile image
Batty1 in reply toMadlegs1

I purchased a 3 inch memory foam from amazon for $79.00 that I used on my mother’s horrible sofa bed … I have psoriatic arthritis (Enthesitis) and any pressure spots while sleeping is brutal. I was skeptical but I actually found this memory foam to be really good it allowed me to sleep without constantly moving to find a new spot.

I personally would go with a bed specifically geared towards your issues.

Rosepetal60 profile image
Rosepetal60 in reply toMadlegs1

I now use a 4 inch memory foam mattress topper. Cannot manage without it.

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply toRosepetal60

Yes- I am looking at them!

Rosepetal60 profile image
Rosepetal60 in reply toMadlegs1

I have a 4 inch one, which I wouldn’t be without for my back issues, but it’s still a bit tricky getting on to my left hip side where the Bursitis is, without getting the pain. Sometimes ok when I’m concentrating.

Loopylegs profile image
Loopylegs

Hi Madlegs, sorry to hear of your pain, bad enough having rls with that as well. I have to have a hip replacement & have degenerative disk disease, I had a mattress that had a memory foam top which I didn't realise was making my pain worse, I changed to a firmer non memory foam, pocket spring mattress & it made a huge difference, I always slept on my tummy & couldn't on the old mattress, it was while I was away in a b&b for a wedding that I had the best sleep and I realised it was the mattress that was causing a lot of my pain at night. It's difficult to find a mattress that suits but some companies will let you try the mattress out once u leave the plastic cover on, it's a bit noisy at night when you move! But at least you'll find a mattress that suits. Hope this helps!

Aoibheann profile image
Aoibheann in reply toLoopylegs

Hi, I have a memory foam mattress and I mentioned this to my physio (private) and she told me that she wouldn’t recommend a memory foam mattress but a spring mattress. I suffer with Spondylolisthesis, Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis. I’m booked in for spinal surgery in the next few months, but still not sure if I will put myself through this operation. Any thoughts??

Take care everyone. X

Loopylegs profile image
Loopylegs in reply toAoibheann

Oh goodness Aoibheann, u poor thing, that sounds awful. If you're looking for a second opinion, Dr Phillip Hu is a fantastic pain management consultant in the sports clinic in Santry, I highly recommend him if you're worried about spinal surgery he may be able to help.

Aoibheann profile image
Aoibheann in reply toLoopylegs

Hiya, thank you for your reply. Where is Santry, I live in the north of Ireland. Many, many thanks. X

Loopylegs profile image
Loopylegs in reply toAoibheann

Santry is in Dublin, he works out of the Sports Clinic, also the Bon Secours Hospital & the Beacon Hospital, he might be able to recommend a pain management consultant in Northern Ireland that could help, but he is definitely worth a consultation, I see him privately as I live over the North West of Ireland he has zoom meetings with me to save on travel after the initial first consultation

Aoibheann profile image
Aoibheann in reply toLoopylegs

Hiya, thank you for all that information. I’m a senior Tyrone woman and know nothing about zoom!! Dr. Phillip Hu’s name seems familiar to me, is he married to someone from up here. I could be wrong. Anyway I will look into it. Take care and all the best. x

Loopylegs profile image
Loopylegs in reply toAoibheann

I hear you, I'm not a whizz with technology either😄 I think he sent the zoom link to my phone and I just had to click on it! Best of luck to you, I hope you're pain free soon!

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply toAoibheann

Might have to check who's Hu?🤔

Aoibheann profile image
Aoibheann in reply toMadlegs1

😂

Nanpat profile image
Nanpat in reply toAoibheann

Hi, I’m in exactly same situation with osteoarthritis, anterolisthesis, ddd ,spinal stenosis and 2 recent fractures. See surgeon beg March and hope he can give me some guidance. Saw him last 4 yrs ago and he said was up to me to decide if I was prepared to go through with it.

I’m sick of using a walker everywhere and virtually not being able to live my life because of my poor walking and pain. You have to look at how limited you are In everyday life and if you’d like to be better?

Very hard decision, good luck 😊

Aoibheann profile image
Aoibheann in reply toNanpat

Hi Nanpat, you’re probably much younger than my 73 years! I have already had my pre op assessment and the only result I’ve got back from the hospital so far, is I’m anaemiac. I use a 4 wheel walker with a seat which I really appreciate. I fell twice last summer and fractured a bone in my spine adding to the spondylolisthesis. My mobility is very limited, but I’m so scared of surgery at my age, it’s a long recovery. Take care. X

Nanpat profile image
Nanpat

Hi, personally I would buy a new bed, one designed to reduce pressure on your hip area.

People with back pain are advised not to sleep on their backs as it adds more pressure to spine than sleeping on your sides. If I find the article relating to this will forward on to you. Perhaps you should ask a good physiotherapist?

Some even have beds in their reception areas they recommend.

Mitch48 profile image
Mitch48

Hi there,

I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling with pain.

I have extensive cervical & lumbar spinal injuries & have had surgeries on both, the more involved ones were for impending cauda equina, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, etc.

I have a fabulous memory foam neck pillow that alines my cervical spine, I can only lay on my back due to having 2 ACDF’s and my lower back feels fully supported by a Sealy Posturepedic mattress.

I do wake in the night numerous times due to cervical & lumbar radiculopathy & muscle spasms but use 2 Tens Machines at once to help with limb symptoms. I also use a fabulous heated throw each night during the colder months along with a cold menthol gel rub too.

I hope you find some relief with whatever decision you make regarding a bed or a chair but we often have to use other means of helping distract us from our pain when trying to stay asleep.

Kind Regards,

Mitch.

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply toMitch48

Thanks- I'll check out that mattress!

Mcewan3689 profile image
Mcewan3689

I am in the same situation as you, hip pain and lower back pain and I definitely find sleeping on my sofa so much better than my bed! Don't know why but I find my bed sooo uncomfortable and I have a memory foam mattress?! X

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply toMcewan3689

Exactly!👍

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker

High dose vitamin D3+K2 took away my painful hip and lower back pain. When I forget to take my Vit D+ K2 my same pains return.

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply toCoastwalker

Thanks, I'll try that. I already take high dose vit D!

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply toMadlegs1

I have to take 10,000iu D3 in winter.

Rosepetal60 profile image
Rosepetal60 in reply toCoastwalker

Thank you for that, I’ll give it a go. I already take the D3, but I’ll add K2 to it now.

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply toRosepetal60

Apologies for my late reply. Did taking the D3+K2 help ?

Rosepetal60 profile image
Rosepetal60 in reply toCoastwalker

Hi Coastwalker, thank you for getting back to me. I keep asking myself: is this combination working? Sometimes I think it is and other times I’m not sure. But I’ve only been taking both for about 8 days, which Im thinking isn’t long enough, as I’ve had the Bursitis for several months. I’m still fairly positive that it will work eventually and now at 29th May it has improved when I’m getting into bed . But when moving around in house etc it’s still painful but not as bad , more of a sore pain than a sharp catch your breath type pain so it is improving gradually. Thank you for your help.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

hip and thigh pain

for a few months now I have been suffering with hip and thigh problems. I have had back problems...
allyh1968 profile image

thigh, knee and hip pain

Hi there in the past few years I have developed a pain in my upper outer thigh which is worse if...
Nicwhillis profile image

Hip and knee pain/tingling and numbness

For quite a while now I have been really bad hip and knee pain on both sides. The pain in my hips...

Over 20yrs of pain

Im new here and desperate for support I have suffered for over 20yrs of chronic pain it started in...
Tigger68 profile image

Hip pain

I have extensive osteoarthritis therfore pain in all joints. Both hips are affected by Bursitis...
Elky profile image

Moderation team

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.