ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: Trinityfilled on July 09, 2016, 04:37:20 pm
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Hey everyone,
Anyone have any tips on sleeping? I am just 2 weeks post retrosigmoid surgery and I just can't seem to find sleep. I'm either waking up in pain, waking up to put more eye stuff in, or waking up to take more pain meds! Ugh. I feel like I only have one sleeping position, which is flat on my back with my head slightly turned so I don't lay on the incision. This mad given me a terribly sore neck and shoulders. If I try to lay on the right(the unaffected) side, I get a terrible headache, and if I lay on the incision, I get horrible headaches and vertigo. I literally have like 8 pillows plus my maternity pillow to try to prop myself in all sorts of weird positions but so far, nothing helps. I am just feeling terrible because I am just so exhausted! Any tips? Maybe a recliner? I just don't know anymore.
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Hiya Trinity! Welcome to the wonderful world of post-surgery all the fun that goes with it. Everyone has a different experience post recovery but whatever it entails just know it will get better! Just hang in there! If you are in major pain, a call to your doctor might be in order. In the meantime, just keep trying to find whatever works to ease the pain. Heat/cold packs...baths with epsom salts, profession massages...all are things you can try. Good luck and hope you are feeling better!
Jay
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Hi Trinity! I slept elevated for 4 weeks--my choice. Just elevate the mattress about 6 inches. Well, get someone else to do it for you. I was afraid of csf leaks so I kept my head elevated for a long time. We can all sympathize with the ever-changing annoyances, pain, numbness, etc. I did get sinus headaches when the thunderstorms would come.
Try sleeping in the recliner if you want. It might help. I am a big believer in taking it easy. Also, call your doctor and tell him/her your concerns.
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I did some recliner sleeping post op for sure. I got a stiff neck because there was only one position I could sleep in. I also did some Tylenol pm a couple of times. It does improve. I woke up a few nights ago and thought, "wait a second, I'm sleeping on my incision side!"
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Thanks so much for the encouragement guys :) Such a strange journey we are all on. I think being slightly elevated is helping. I created a nice elevated caccoon with a bunch of regular pillows and my big maternity pillow so it's getting better. Hopefully my neck muscles start to feel a bit better soon since they were so strained during the surgery. I think that will help. I'm also gonna ask about the Tylenol PM at my appt tomorrow. :)
-Aimee
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Hi Trinity. I don't have much advice but just wanted to say I sympathize with the issues you are dealing with. I am very sorry and hope they resolve soon. In this world of AN many times we have to find our own best solutions. Keep searching and trying new things, and I am sure you will continue to find ways to deal with your issues. Also things do get better with time. Hang in there, I am rooting for you.