LE and type of mattress

kcshreve · December 2011

I've been surprised that my arm/truncal LE was stable all summer and yet has recently been a problem with this colder weather, to the point that I am back on 1-2 LE therapy visits/week. The problem is mostly in my back, which is a hard area for me to effectively get to. As I was in bed this morning, noticing how hot my blankets are, I also noticed how hot my back was - and now I wonder if my mattress specifically may be contributing to my problems. A few years ago we switched to a tempurpedic mattress for its density and how it conforms to one's body. My dh is a very active sleeper, and I'm a super light sleeper, so this type of mattress reduces the motion and I've slept better. But it can be hot and does not breathe well. From what I've learned here, I think it makes sense that if my back is heated up I'd be having problems with it, right?

carol57 · December 2011

Kcshreve, that's a good question. We have long used a heated mattress pad to warm up the bed, which we always found works better than an electric blanket. I'll be very interested in opinions on your question, because the heated mattress pad is a variation on the same issue of heat on the back. --Carol

mrsnjband · December 2011

Maybe you get some kind of topper for your side that breaths better. I've don't a lot about them but I have seen some that are suppose keep you cooler. So you might want to check into something like that. NJ

Anonymous · December 2011

I had been using a 2" piece of memory foam on our mattress for several years until I started sleeping even hotter this year. I am several years post-meno, so that's probably not the problem. I worried about losing the softness, but I removed the foam and was fine. I also reduced the layering of covers and just have a comforter and add only one fuzzy poly blanket during cool months. I had been layering the poly blankets, and, boy, those light things will really lock in the heat! I am now sleeping much cooler. It may have just been the blankets, but the combo of blankets and memory foam was too much for me.

If you've switched to a poly blanket or started layering them, maybe try changing that. Those blankets are incredibly soft and light, but they can really fool you as to how warm they can be. They probably don't breathe as much as cotton or wool either.

Binney4 · December 2011

I know this is a side issue, but it's been an eye-opener for me so I thought I'd share it. On the Radiation-Induced Brachial Plexopathy thread Cindy has some long posts about the very thorough treatment she received from a doctor who specializes in that condition and the LE that goes with it. She described for us the sleep position she was taught in PT:

"Learning to sleep on my back is still taking time to get used to...back sleeping is best because it opens your chest for better breathing, and helps keep the shoulders stretched out, much better for back health. Its important to use a flat head pillow, and be sure to place it above the shoulders, so it isn't pushing your shoulders forward. Placing pillows under the legs helps keep the natural curve of your back. Once you are in a comfortable position, there should not be much movement through the night. A long restful sleep - what a concept?! Sleeping on your side can cause the shoulders to fold inward, allowing them get into the position that only encourages them to want to stay that way - binding the scar tissue/fibrosis even tighter."

I'd been having problems with night-time swelling (and pain) in my right LE shoulder and side. I did know that lying on that side was not encouraging lymph flow, and it made it impossible to elevate that arm at night while I sleep. So, despite the fact I've never been comfortable sleeping on my back, I decided to give it a try. Bingo! Smile I wake up with less swelling and pain, and even my back and hips feel better. Not an easy transition for this side-sleeper! Undecided But the improvements in my condition when I wake up makes it worth the inconvenience.

Be well!
Binney

carol57 · December 2011

Binney, very interesting! One side effect of back-sleeping for me is vivid dreams, generally weird although thankfully not scary. This has been true for me for as long as I can remember.

Hmmm, has visualization ever been shown to assist in CDT? Maybe I can put this concept to work! I recall reading somewhere that we can influence our dream topics if we concentrate on the desired subject before falling asleep. I'm not sure I believe that, but just think of the possibilities for creating some sleeptime visualization: I can focus on a flowing river, maybe even an innertube ride on a waterpark river, when I close my eyes, thereby invoking dreamtime visualization of lymph, flowing silently through the night! (It's worth a shot...)

Carol

Anonymous · December 2011

Binney, I am mostly a back sleeper, and I have always used a flatter pillow for my head. When I got married, I started sleeping more on my side, and I noticed I had more back and neck pain when I did that. When I had my implants, it was almost impossible to sleep on my side, so it's been so nice to have the freedom to roll around and sleep comfortably in all positions! However, I do think I do better when I sleep on my back, and it does have an effect on my posture. If this also improves lymphatic flow, then it's another good reason to keep off the sides. I will have to try the pillow under my knees. Unfortunately, when I am having trouble getting to sleep, I will resort to whatever works, as I've noticed lack of sleep has a negative effect on my LE. Thanks for the good info!

LE and type of mattress

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