How do you sleep at night?
I can't tell you the last time I had a good night's sleep - for the reasons you mention. I can no longer get comfortable and I've been dealing with all-over back stiffness for quite awhile now - ugh!! :/
For more info on my journey & goals, visit my blog at http://flirtybythirty.wordpress.com
That sucks that you're having this issue too.
It's very frustrating to me that my back has actually gotten worse since losing weight (but I also found out I have some kind of unique joint hypermobility issues going on that I didn't know about a few months ago). I think losing throws off our center of gravity or something and maybe it takes awhile to adjust to that. I was seeing a chiropractor, which I have always highly recommended, but I found out that's not really good for someone with hypermobility. So now I am working with a physical therapist (also for the feet/leg surgery issues) and plan to try getting at least one massage a month. Hoping that will help my back.
Lindsay ~ 5'4" ~ HW (5/6/13): 280 ~ SW (5/17/13): 273 ~ CW: 140
Losses by month: pre-op: -8 M1: -18 M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -9 M5: -10 M6: -12 M7: -14 M8: -12 M9: -2 M10: -8 M11: -9 M12: -2 M13: -6 M14: -7
Just a quick 2 cents worth here. I've bought a few new mattresses over the last 6 years. I had a Select Comfort (sleep number) bed for years, and as my weight fluctuated, so did the number for the mattress. At least I could adjust accordingly. The problem for heavier people is the padding on the mattress cover gets mushed down and worn out if you sleep in the same position every night. Therefor it doesn't last as long. Check with the mattress manufacturer to see weight statistics for their mattresses. Makes a difference.
Make sure you get a mattress that allows you to sleep on it for 30, 60, or 90 days and return it if it doesn't work. This is really important as the things aren't cheap, and once you buy it, you're stuck with it. I regretted not doing this more than once. Even though I did lots of research on foam beds, I still ended up with a lemon that I got over the internet. That lemon cost me $1800.00 and a lot of back/hip pain. It got banished to the guest room. LOL
Once you start having serious pain from sleeping, you really need to get a new mattress. It makes a world of difference in your quality of sleep. I know they cost a lot and it's hard to find room in the budget for them, but it is so worth it in the long run. Take it from one who's been there and done that more than once!!
Good luck and get some rest! :)
Nancy
In all my days ahead I vow to be kind to myself. This shall also be a new and exciting experience.
Thanks Nancy. Yes, you make some good points. I don't think it's the mattress necessarily causing the issues though. My bones hurt when I am sitting anywhere too. But I am sure a nice new mattress would help.
Lindsay ~ 5'4" ~ HW (5/6/13): 280 ~ SW (5/17/13): 273 ~ CW: 140
Losses by month: pre-op: -8 M1: -18 M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -9 M5: -10 M6: -12 M7: -14 M8: -12 M9: -2 M10: -8 M11: -9 M12: -2 M13: -6 M14: -7
on the RIGHT side ,-) lol usually back or side...always hand washed silk pillowcase tho in case I wind up sleeping on my side.
Im old so sleeping on my side don't matter no more cuz..the girls are GONE!
Here's a post about sleep positions I posted here years ago
Which Sleep Style Is Healthiest? from link BEST and WORST SLEEP POSITIONS
Your preferred p.m. pose could be giving you back and neck pain, tummy troubles, even premature wrinkles. Discover the best positions for your body--plus the one you may want to avoid.
The Best: Back Position
Good for: Preventing neck and back pain, reducing acid reflux, minimizing wrinkles, maintaining perky breasts
Bad for: Snoring
The scoop: Sleeping on your back makes it easy for your head, neck and spine to maintain a neutral position. You're not forcing any extra curves into your back, says Steven Diamant, a chiropractor in New York City. It's also ideal for fighting acid reflux, Dr. Olson says: "If the head is elevated, your stomach will be below your esophagus so acid or food can't come back up."
Back-sleeping also helps prevent wrinkles, because nothing is pushing against your face, notes Dee Anna Glaser, M.D., a professor of dermatology at Saint Louis University. And the weight of your breasts is fully supported, reducing sagginess.
Consider this: "Snoring is usually most frequent and severe when sleeping on the back," Dr. Olson says.
Perfect pillow: One puffy one. The goal is to keep your head and neck supported without propping your head up too much.
Next Best: Side Position
Good for: Preventing neck and back pain, reducing acid reflux, snoring less, sleeping during pregnancy
Bad for: Your skin and your breasts
The scoop: Side-sleeping is great for overall health--it reduces snoring and keeps your spine elongated. If you suffer from acid reflux, this is the next best thing to sleeping on your back.
The downside: "Sleeping on your side can cause you to get wrinkles," Dr. Glaser says. Blame all that smushing of one side of your face into the pillow.
This pose also contributes to breast sag, since your girls are dangling downward, stretching the ligaments, says Health's Medical Editor Roshini Rajapaksa, M.D.
Consider this: If you're pregnant, sleep on your left side. It's ideal for blood flow.
Perfect pillow: A thick one. "You need to fill the space above your shoulder so your head and neck are supported in a neutral position," says Ken Shannon, a physical therapist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Not Ideal: Fetal Position
Good for: Snoring less, sleeping during pregnancy
Bad for: Preventing neck and back pain, minimizing wrinkles, maintaining perky breasts
The scoop: When you snooze with your knees pulled up high and chin tucked into your chest, you may feel it in the morning, especially if you have an arthritic back or joints, Dr. Olson says.
"This curved position also restricts diaphragmatic breathing," adds Dody Chang, a licensed acupuncturist with the Center for Integrative Medicine at Greenwich Hospital in Connecticut. And if you make this your nightly pose, you may bring on premature facial wrinkles and breast sag.
Consider this: Just straighten out a bit -- try not to tuck your body into an extreme curl.
Perfect pillow: One plump pillow -- the same as side position, to give your head and neck support.
The Worst: Stomach Position
Good for: Easing snoring
Bad for: Avoiding neck and back pain, minimizing wrinkles, maintaining perky breasts
The scoop: "Stomach-sleeping makes it difficult to maintain a neutral position with your spine," Shannon explains. It puts pressure on joints and muscles, which can irritate nerves and lead to pain, numbness and tingling. "Think about the soreness you'd feel if you kept your neck turned to one side for 15 minutes during the day," Dr. Diamant explains.
In this position you have your head to one side for hours at a time. You won't necessarily feel it the next day, but you may soon start to ache.
Consider this: Do you snore? "Stomach-sleeping may even be good for you," Dr. Olson says. Facedown keeps your upper airways more open. So if you snore and aren't suffering from neck or back pain, it's fine to try sleeping on your belly.
Perfect pillow: Just one (and make it a thin one) or none at all.
other related articles /link may be of interest to you linz : SLEEP
Interesting stuff! Thanks for all the info. I guess I will be trying to continue with the back sleeping.
Lindsay ~ 5'4" ~ HW (5/6/13): 280 ~ SW (5/17/13): 273 ~ CW: 140
Losses by month: pre-op: -8 M1: -18 M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -9 M5: -10 M6: -12 M7: -14 M8: -12 M9: -2 M10: -8 M11: -9 M12: -2 M13: -6 M14: -7
I have that full body pregnancy pillow. I used it during pregnancy, after the sleeve, when I screwed my hand up, basically whenever I've done something to my body. My bed is really soft, and I've just kind of gotten used to my protruding bones. I sleep on my side with a pillow between my legs usually, then will end up partially on my stomach. I'm a terrible sleeper, though. I hope you find a solution :)
