Re: Need wedge-sleeping tips

[Guest guest]

Ola,

I found your comments interesting,

I intended to have an epidural rather than a general. In the theatre, the

anaesthetist had 3 goes at finding my cerebral spinal fluid without success

and I awakened after having had a general anaesthetic! Seemingly this

happens from time to time. Fortunately the operation was a success and my

recovery complete.

Regards,

(resurfed Cardiff, 24.07.02)

>

>Reply-To: surfacehippy

>To: surfacehippy

>Subject: Need wedge-sleeping tips

>Date: Sun, 15 Sep 2002 20:43:04 -0000

>>

>Another question: I opted for the epidural but I woke up with the

>general and NO ONE knows why, not even Mont. Has this happened to

>anybody else before? Any reasons why the last minute change?

>

>

>

>Ola

>Right C+, Mont/Sinai, 9/9/02 (woo-hoo!!!)

>

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Ola,

I just had my right hip resurfaced by Dr. Stachniw on Septmeber 5th.

I knew ahead of time that I would have a problem sleeping on my back

so I bought a recliner for the event. The only time I'm comfortable

sleeping on my back is in a recliner. It's been great and I sleep

beautifully. The only problem I had was it's a rocking recliner and

I was having trouble getting out of it without breaking my rules. My

husband, bless his heart, rigged up a pully from the ceiling and I

wear a harness under my arms. No kidding it wouks like a charm. I

know people have used a platform for this too but we tried that and

the arms were still to " squishy " for me to get all the way up without

help. I know I would not ber this comfortable in bed on my back even

with a wedge.

Best luck,

Barb

> I'm 6 days post-op and the hardest part of my day is sleeping with

the

> " wedge " . I can get about 4-5 hours at a time but then I'm wide awake

> for another few hours. IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE Anyone have any

tips

> on getting a complete and comfortable night's sleep?

>

> Re-cap: Had my resurfacing done by Mont at Sinai in Baltimore last

> Monday and I'm getting better everyday. Being diligent about the

> exercises/restrictions (20% weigth-bearing, 90 degree, no crossing

> midline, no twisting, and the " wedge " for 6 weeks) and keeping the

> incision clean and dry.

>

> The hospital staff is great, Mont is great, food was great...I'm

just

> too thrilled to have this new lease on life. The Percocet is a bit

> strong so I only take 1 every few hours to keep the discomfort at

bay

> (taking 2 caused some really scary nightmares). I'm not in

any " real "

> pain like before the surgery just some muscle and incision achiness.

>

> After 15 years of AVN my thigh muscles are pretty much jelly but

> gettign better everyday with the PT exercises they sent me home

with.

>

> My sister is staying with me until the 23rd then I'm on my own. Not

> too worried considering I " m dressing myself and getting light meals

> for myself. I will be having a nurse and PT person stop by every so

> often but otherwise I'm solo.

>

> Another question: I opted for the epidural but I woke up with the

> general and NO ONE knows why, not even Mont. Has this happened to

> anybody else before? Any reasons why the last minute change?

>

> My appetite is still mainly juice and water but I don't want to put

on

> any extra weight that might slow-down my recovery.

>

> Thanks in advance for answering and for all the encouragement and

love

> that comes from this group. I was really declining quickly these

last

> few weeks as far as mobility and pain-tolerence. If it weren't for

> this group I would probably have had a full replacement by now.

>

> Blessings to you all,

>

> Ola

> Right C+, Mont/Sinai, 9/9/02 (woo-hoo!!!)

[Guest guest]

Ola- Congratulations on your new hip! Teeeerific! But ooo I remember

the wedge...look at it this way, only 5 more weeks. Not much

consolation, eh? I felt like sending mine through the window and

leaving it on the lawn. I know that the sleep is short at first, but,

it may be more attributed to the Perc's and the wedge is just handy

to blame it on. I knew I'd be stuck on my back with a wedge so I

disciplined myself to sleep on my back for weeks before surgery (that

doesn't help you now).

What might help is an extension of some sort on the velcro tabs on

the wedge, be it Duct tape or a tab of fabric. I think I put a strip

of Velcro on the end and angled it from the toe up toward my waist so

I could free myself without waking my wife. On Percosets one can

aquire the hours of a bat, I remember waking at the darndest times. I

got so I could rip the Velcro off and get out of bed on my own. I

know it was within 10 days PO because I told the after hours doc I

did so when I went to get my staples out.

I used my grabber to put my legs reluctantly back in the wedge when

the re-airs of Leno put me back to sleep. (Or try talking with the

Aussies on SH)

I was ready to start sleeping with a pillow between my knees when I

spoke with Esther. She was adamant about the wedge for the full six

weeks. So, heck, like I said, you only have less than five weeks to

go.

And then ceremoniously...can it.

Keep yer chin up.

Captain Amaze_O

> I'm 6 days post-op and the hardest part of my day is sleeping with

the

> " wedge " . I can get about 4-5 hours at a time but then I'm wide awake

> for another few hours. IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE Anyone have any

tips

> on getting a complete and comfortable night's sleep?

>

> Re-cap: Had my resurfacing done by Mont at Sinai in Baltimore last

> Monday and I'm getting better everyday. Being diligent about the

> exercises/restrictions (20% weigth-bearing, 90 degree, no crossing

> midline, no twisting, and the " wedge " for 6 weeks) and keeping the

> incision clean and dry.

>

> The hospital staff is great, Mont is great, food was great...I'm

just

> too thrilled to have this new lease on life. The Percocet is a bit

> strong so I only take 1 every few hours to keep the discomfort at

bay

> (taking 2 caused some really scary nightmares). I'm not in

any " real "

> pain like before the surgery just some muscle and incision achiness.

>

> After 15 years of AVN my thigh muscles are pretty much jelly but

> gettign better everyday with the PT exercises they sent me home

with.

>

> My sister is staying with me until the 23rd then I'm on my own. Not

> too worried considering I " m dressing myself and getting light meals

> for myself. I will be having a nurse and PT person stop by every so

> often but otherwise I'm solo.

>

> Another question: I opted for the epidural but I woke up with the

> general and NO ONE knows why, not even Mont. Has this happened to

> anybody else before? Any reasons why the last minute change?

>

> My appetite is still mainly juice and water but I don't want to put

on

> any extra weight that might slow-down my recovery.

>

> Thanks in advance for answering and for all the encouragement and

love

> that comes from this group. I was really declining quickly these

last

> few weeks as far as mobility and pain-tolerence. If it weren't for

> this group I would probably have had a full replacement by now.

>

> Blessings to you all,

>

> Ola

> Right C+, Mont/Sinai, 9/9/02 (woo-hoo!!!)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Well all I can say is my doctor let me sleep on my other side immediately -

with a pillow between my legs. That was with no real muscles to speak of

after 35 years of fixed hip, no weight bearing and hip refusing to bend

beyond 45 degrees anyway.......... I found that my back and the leg/hip are

so much happier on my side, especially after a few hours in bed..........as

my back is pretty chewed up from having no hip all those years.......and

side sleeping seemed to give a bit more peace.......... in fact my leg seems

to totally enjoy the experience.......There have been no

hassles with any threats of dislocation - the nurses seemed more freaked

when they found me on my side after mostly dealing with THR's not

BHR's........ and I am now almost 6 weeks..............

The first couple of weeks are the hardest - I just kept swallowing

painkillers and thought of the day it all would ease - which it

has.......... Actually I would say the nights are the hardest part of the

whole thing in my case - well after the affects on my shoulder of the

crutches.......... the only other comment I can make is having a TV in one's

room helps a lot I find..........and an electric hot pack to lay on the sore

bits.

Edith

> I'm 6 days post-op and the hardest part of my day is sleeping with the

> " wedge " . I can get about 4-5 hours at a time but then I'm wide awake

> for another few hours. IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE Anyone have any tips

> on getting a complete and comfortable night's sleep?

>

> Re-cap: Had my resurfacing done by Mont at Sinai in Baltimore last

> Monday and I'm getting better everyday. Being diligent about the

> exercises/restrictions (20% weigth-bearing, 90 degree, no crossing

> midline, no twisting, and the " wedge " for 6 weeks) and keeping the

> incision clean and dry.

>

> The hospital staff is great, Mont is great, food was great...I'm just

> too thrilled to have this new lease on life. The Percocet is a bit

> strong so I only take 1 every few hours to keep the discomfort at bay

> (taking 2 caused some really scary nightmares). I'm not in any " real "

> pain like before the surgery just some muscle and incision achiness.

>

> After 15 years of AVN my thigh muscles are pretty much jelly but

> gettign better everyday with the PT exercises they sent me home with.

>

> My sister is staying with me until the 23rd then I'm on my own. Not

> too worried considering I " m dressing myself and getting light meals

> for myself. I will be having a nurse and PT person stop by every so

> often but otherwise I'm solo.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ola.

Yikes, I remember 6 days post op like it was yesterday ( 8 weeks ago).

I couldn't sleep more than four hours, until some some told me to put a

small pillow under both knees to keep them bent, (think about when you get a

massage and they put a pillow under the knees.) It keeps your low back

muscles from kinking up. You can do that if you move your wedge down to

knee level. Good luck to you...Maya

----------

To: surfacehippy

Subject: Need wedge-sleeping tips

Date: Sun, Sep 15, 2002, 2:43 PM

I'm 6 days post-op and the hardest part of my day is sleeping with the

" wedge " . I can get about 4-5 hours at a time but then I'm wide awake

for another few hours. IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE Anyone have any tips

on getting a complete and comfortable night's sleep?

Re-cap: Had my resurfacing done by Mont at Sinai in Baltimore last

Monday and I'm getting better everyday. Being diligent about the

exercises/restrictions (20% weigth-bearing, 90 degree, no crossing

midline, no twisting, and the " wedge " for 6 weeks) and keeping the

incision clean and dry.

The hospital staff is great, Mont is great, food was great...I'm just

too thrilled to have this new lease on life. The Percocet is a bit

strong so I only take 1 every few hours to keep the discomfort at bay

(taking 2 caused some really scary nightmares). I'm not in any " real "

pain like before the surgery just some muscle and incision achiness.

After 15 years of AVN my thigh muscles are pretty much jelly but

gettign better everyday with the PT exercises they sent me home with.

My sister is staying with me until the 23rd then I'm on my own. Not

too worried considering I " m dressing myself and getting light meals

for myself. I will be having a nurse and PT person stop by every so

often but otherwise I'm solo.

Another question: I opted for the epidural but I woke up with the

general and NO ONE knows why, not even Mont. Has this happened to

anybody else before? Any reasons why the last minute change?

My appetite is still mainly juice and water but I don't want to put on

any extra weight that might slow-down my recovery.

Thanks in advance for answering and for all the encouragement and love

that comes from this group. I was really declining quickly these last

few weeks as far as mobility and pain-tolerence. If it weren't for

this group I would probably have had a full replacement by now.

Blessings to you all,

Ola

Right C+, Mont/Sinai, 9/9/02 (woo-hoo!!!)

[Guest guest]

Hi Ola,

Congratulation on the new hip, it will give you years of joy! I'm now

9 weeks post op from getting my left hip from Dr. Mont. The dreaded

wedge is something you will get used to. For the first month, it was

like being in a dungeon, strapped in by the dungeon master every

night. Getting out of bed in the middle of the night required me

to wake the dungeon master, which is something to be avoided. But, i

did learn a couple of things to make both our lives easier. First, I

made the ankle loops loose enough to slip my feet into and out,

without undoing the velcro. The loose loop kept my feet in the wedge

when I turned on my non operated side, without any problems. The

other loops were more accessible if I bent my knees to bring every

thing closer to me. It may require a bit of back support, but you

should be able to reach the velcro, and tie yourself in, or free

yourself. I place the wedge so my ankles just cleared the wedge.

Also, trim off the excess strap material, leave an inch or two extra,

and save the cutoff pieces just in case you have to sew them back

on. Makes it much easier to deal with the velcro sticking to the long

straps when your trying to close things up. Also, Ester suggested

putting the wedge in an old pillow case, and cutting slots for the

loops. I wasn't bothered by the foam, so I didn't do that.

Lastly, my printed discharge instructions were for 12 weeks of wedge

use, not 6. I called Ester, thinking it was a typo, but was told to

use the wedge for 12 weeks. After 9 weeks of use, it is no longer a

problem, I turn from my back to either side freely, with just a

blanket adjustment in between. BTW, I still prefer to sleep on my non

operated side, the C+ side feels uncomfortable much sooner than the

other side. Time to discomfort has been steadily increasing though,

and the day will come when it won't complain.

Hang in there,

Barry

> I'm 6 days post-op and the hardest part of my day is sleeping with

the

> " wedge " . I can get about 4-5 hours at a time but then I'm wide awake

> for another few hours. IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE Anyone have any

tips

> on getting a complete and comfortable night's sleep?

>

> Re-cap: Had my resurfacing done by Mont at Sinai in Baltimore last

> Monday and I'm getting better everyday. Being diligent about the

> exercises/restrictions (20% weigth-bearing, 90 degree, no crossing

> midline, no twisting, and the " wedge " for 6 weeks) and keeping the

> incision clean and dry.

>

> The hospital staff is great, Mont is great, food was great...I'm

just

> too thrilled to have this new lease on life. The Percocet is a bit

> strong so I only take 1 every few hours to keep the discomfort at

bay

> (taking 2 caused some really scary nightmares). I'm not in any

" real "

> pain like before the surgery just some muscle and incision achiness.

>

> After 15 years of AVN my thigh muscles are pretty much jelly but

> gettign better everyday with the PT exercises they sent me home

with.

>

> My sister is staying with me until the 23rd then I'm on my own. Not

> too worried considering I " m dressing myself and getting light meals

> for myself. I will be having a nurse and PT person stop by every so

> often but otherwise I'm solo.

>

> Another question: I opted for the epidural but I woke up with the

> general and NO ONE knows why, not even Mont. Has this happened to

> anybody else before? Any reasons why the last minute change?

>

> My appetite is still mainly juice and water but I don't want to put

on

> any extra weight that might slow-down my recovery.

>

> Thanks in advance for answering and for all the encouragement and

love

> that comes from this group. I was really declining quickly these

last

> few weeks as far as mobility and pain-tolerence. If it weren't for

> this group I would probably have had a full replacement by now.

>

> Blessings to you all,

>

> Ola

> Right C+, Mont/Sinai, 9/9/02 (woo-hoo!!!)

[Guest guest]

I too got a wedge but don't really use it as it was originally suggested. I just

placed it loosely between my legs (i.e. no strapping). It's not that I disobeyed

my doctors orders really. I did the same thing while in the hospital. When I

sleep I don't move and the objective is to keep your legs apart. Therefore,

placing it between my legs accomplished the same goal for me. That positioning

also let me turn it sideways occasionally and put my legs on top to get my

knees/legs elevated from time to time as well which helped me tremendously. I

also will lay it flat between my legs and roll over to my side for a few

minutes. At 8 week, I sleep on my side or stomach most of the time now. I was

told not to sleep on my side for the first few weeks but laying like that even

for a few minutes helped me get more comfortable. I also took more of a sleep

aid (Tylenol PM mostly) when I needed something instead of the harder pain

medication.

That's how I coped with the wedge. Hope it helps.

Mike

C+ Dr. Amstutz 07/23/02

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------

> I'm 6 days post-op and the hardest part of my day is sleeping with the

> " wedge " . I can get about 4-5 hours at a time but then I'm wide awake

> for another few hours. IT'S SO UNCOMFORTABLE Anyone have any tips

> on getting a complete and comfortable night's sleep?

>

> Re-cap: Had my resurfacing done by Mont at Sinai in Baltimore last

> Monday and I'm getting better everyday. Being diligent about the

> exercises/restrictions (20% weigth-bearing, 90 degree, no crossing

> midline, no twisting, and the " wedge " for 6 weeks) and keeping the

> incision clean and dry.

>

> The hospital staff is great, Mont is great, food was great...I'm just

> too thrilled to have this new lease on life. The Percocet is a bit

> strong so I only take 1 every few hours to keep the discomfort at bay

> (taking 2 caused some really scary nightmares). I'm not in any " real "

> pain like before the surgery just some muscle and incision achiness.

>

> After 15 years of AVN my thigh muscles are pretty much jelly but

> gettign better everyday with the PT exercises they sent me home with.

>

> My sister is staying with me until the 23rd then I'm on my own. Not

> too worried considering I " m dressing myself and getting light meals

> for myself. I will be having a nurse and PT person stop by every so

> often but otherwise I'm solo.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mike~ I pretty much did the same as you with the wedge. My husband

strapped it on me when I was ready for bed while still in the

hospital but I found it more comfortable at home to stack 2 body

pillows and keep those between my legs. I'm NEVER without them at

night because I was so used to having them there pre-op for about a

year so they are second nature. I felt overly abducted with the wedge

and it was uncomfortable for me. I do use it for some of my post-op

excercises so it still has a home in the corner of my bedroom. Mine

was pink. I will probably always sleep with the pillows because it

seems to help my back also.

Box

left C+ July 11th 2002 (Dr. Mont)