Question:
4 weeks out, still in recliner!!!

For about the last week I'll start out in my comfy bed (im a side sleeper) in about 2 hours, my guts/incision hurts and wakes me up. Usually i can get back to sleep within 2-3 hours if I get back in my recliner. Also, I think the lack of sleep is adding to my depression. How long did it take any of you to get out of the friggin recliner?? Thanks so much    — Marilayne M. (posted on November 22, 2002)

November 22, 2002
I was on the recliner for 8 weeks, actually it is still in my bedroom for those nights that I still get restless. You have to be where you feel comfortable. It will pass and you will be able to sleep in bed again. Good luck! Luisa Hopper
   — Luisa H.

November 22, 2002
I had open VBG and I slept in a recliner for 3 weeks. I am a stomach sleeper and also a big baby so I was afraid of trying to get into and out of bed. I finally had it with the recliner because the only place we had to put it was near a window and we live in a very busy apartment complex so I wasn't getting much sleep just because of all the noise outside! I found that if I slept as close to my husband as I could on one side and put a big body pillow on the other it would force me to stay in one spot. For some reason with me, I slept better and with no pain in my incision site if I put an extra pillow on my stomach. After the first week I was able to sleep without the extra pillow and by the next week was with out the body pillow. I still, however, sleep as close to my husband as I can! :-)
   — salymsmommy

November 22, 2002
After 4 1/2 weeks I still find myself alternating between the bed and the recliner, and I am only sleeping for an hour or two in any one position before I wake up and need to shift. I was a stomach sleeper, and I think last night was the first time I was able to get in that position for a short time.....They say it gets better! Good luck.
   — Linda 1.

November 22, 2002
My doctor prescribed Unisom for me during my first few weeks home. It was amazing. I slept restfully all night long. The generic brand works just as well too...
   — Cheryl T.

November 22, 2002
I started -trying- to sleep in my normal bed at 3 weeks, but I couldn't do it. We have one of those beds that you have to take stairs to get up into, and it is very difficult to get out of after surger. I think it was at least 4 weeks before I could spend the whole night in it, and my "guts" and incision were still very sore as well. I noticed some discomfort in my stomach all the way up until about 8 weeks. After that, everything seemed pretty well back to normal.
   — Greg P.

November 22, 2002
hi there :) i was in the recliner for atleast 8 weeks maybe more. it just hurt too much for me to lay down. i like sleeping on my side all curled up so i really missed it. eventually my but started going numb sleeping on the recliner so id be shifting from hip to hip until they started getting achey too. i was glad to be able to sleep in bed again. i tried it with a bunch of fluffy pillows and it was ok then. good luck to you. it will get better! :)
   — carrie M.

November 22, 2002
I tried every couple of nights from about 2 weeks out. No dice until about the end of the 4th week. I did discover that a body pillow or even a large pillow propped under your belly (if you sleep on your side) does wonders.
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 22, 2002
I am also a side-sleeper. But I didn't have a recliner to come home to. I had to sleep on my back in my bed for a long time before I finally got to lay on my side. I woke up with a back ache almost everyday. I never had a binder but I think it would have helped a lot. Once I did sleep on my side I would prop a pillow underneath the side that I was laying. The pressure against my tummy helped. If you don't have a binder I would suggest getting one. I was also using a half a percocet to help with the pain of sleeping on my side. And it made me tired as well. I know some people take Tylenol PM to help with that but it never worked for me. Good luck.
   — Laurel C.

November 24, 2002
I know exactly how you feel!!! I'm almost 4 weeks out and was just able to lie down in my bed a few days ago. I slept in our recliner, too. I would cry to my husband because all I wanted to do was get a good night sleep in my BED! I tried for a couple of days a few minutes each time, but I felt like everything inside was shifting to the side I was laying on. Finally, I tried and was able to sleep for 4 hours! I thought that was a big accomplishment. I kept doing it and worked up to an entire night. My body wasn't ready until it was ready. Best of luck.
   — lezawomack

November 24, 2002
I also had this problem. It seems your incision and insides "stretch" when you lay flat. Try a wedge on your bed. I'm not sure if department stores sell them or not but I know you can get one at a home health store. Good luck.
   — Tammy .

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