how long can I only sleep on my back?

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Jen42
Jen42 Member Posts: 246
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi,

I'm new here. In fact, I have never gone onto a discussion board before for anything. Don't know all abbreviations, but...had bilateral masectomy on May 27 with immediate reconstruction (saline implants). I'm 11 days past surgery, pain levels decreasing, no complications...just am having so much problems with sleeping. I was already dealing with insomnia before my DCIS diagnosis...now having to sleep on my back is not only keeping me awake, I get "pressure point" pain on my butt and the heels of my feet...so that if I manage to fall asleep, that pain wakes me up and I have to get out of bed and walk it off. So frustrating ! Just wondering how long it takes before I can curl up on my side again (how I miss that position !)

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  • kathimdgd
    kathimdgd Member Posts: 268
    edited June 2011

    Ifinished chemo feb of 09,and i still have to sleep on my back.All my life i slept on my right side,then 3 mos before BC diagnoses i had my right knee replaced and couldn't sleep on that side any longer.Fast forward to 3 mos later,and i got the BC diagnosis,and had a bilateral mastectomy,so had to stay on my back.

    It's been over 2 years now and i still can't sleep on my sides,as it makes my arms go to sleep,so i'm still onmy back with pillows under my arm for support,and 2 body pillows,one on each side to throw my legs over.That works for me,and now i sleep pretty good on my back.Just something we have to get used to.

    Kathi

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  • shannonW
    shannonW Member Posts: 186
    edited June 2011

    I had BMX in Feb. 2011 and exchange May 27 2001. I still sleep on my back or halfway sidelying with a ton of pillows. My husband calls it building my nest! At first only the couch was comfy with many pillows. Now I'm in our bed with a bedrail(Saftey First Child rail) to keep my many pillows propped just right. I still wake up several times at nite in a weird position with a little pain(or like the arm numbness on my SNB side needing to prop my arm) and have to re-adjust. I hope this will go away but at 3 months out it is what it is. I'm getting used to my new norm!

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  • elmcity69
    elmcity69 Member Posts: 998
    edited June 2011

    hey jen, i would ask your plastic surgeon /surgeon about sleeping in other positions. My PS said I could sleep in other positions once the drains were out, as long as it was comfortable.

    I always tended to sleep on my side, and now I never sleep on my stomach - just weird feeling, especially since I still have one expander (only until June 24th, though! ).

    good luck - and congratulations on having the surgery done and over with.

    also - i found putting a pillow under my heels helped; i had the same problem.

    j

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  • corian68
    corian68 Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2011
    Girl I feel your pain! I have TE's @ 700 cc's. they are killing me. I started taking Melatonin & my sleeping has greatly improved. And it's antiestrogen win! win! hang in there Smile
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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited June 2011

    I am a "uni" and of course normally sleep on that side.  It took pretty much until after my exchange surgery healed up before I could go back to that side to sleep.  I was able to sleep on my right after awhile though if I put a pillow to help "cushion" between my breast and the TE.  I know lots of people use the recliner for awhile until they are healed enough.

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  • Jen42
    Jen42 Member Posts: 246
    edited June 2011

    Thanks for the feedback, ladies!

     Elmcity, thanks for the tip about putting pillows under my heels. Also about asking surgeon. I haven't even brought it up with him...just assumed this is how it has to be for awhile. I see him again Thursday, we'll see what he recommends. Although I think right now it will be too painful to sleep on my side...too soon.

    I'm just impatient! And I think I could handle the one position better if only it didn't make my butt and heels ache. It's so dumb !  I consider myself lucky that's my only big complaint right now !   

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  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited June 2011

    Jen42, along with the pillow under your heels put a pillow or something under your knees and that will help with the sore butt part.  Anything that keeps the knees bent a bit helps take the strain off the back and hips.

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  • suzanneinphoenix
    suzanneinphoenix Member Posts: 208
    edited June 2011

    My PS said at least six weeks post exchange before sleeping on my side.  Trouble is, I'm most comfortable on my stomach.......still not able to do that very well.  These foobs just don't give or move!  Hang in there, it will get better.  Put a pillow under your knees or maybe a small one under your ankles to raise your heels (for the pressure point).  And add a little extra padding for your tailbone area, too.

    Gentle Hugs,

    Suzanne

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