Can side sleeping contribute to LE?

Shira · October 2013

Hi, I had one node removed about a month ago, and luckily I read this forum or I would not have known to be careful with my arm, so thank you for talking about this topic.

Now I will be having a second lymph node surgery next week to take out some Axillary Nodes (level 1 and 2) as they were not able to find the Sentinel Nodes during my Sentinel Node biopsy (took one node anyway, which was clear, but most likely wasn't a Sentinel Node). I tried to find ways around having this surgery, but it looks like I will be going through with it.

Anyway, I sleep on my side (alternating several times during the night), and I do put pressure on my shoulders and sometimes my arms. Does anybody know if this is a bad idea in terms of causing or possibly causing LE? And if it isn't good to sleep on my side, are there things I could do to make it a little better? There was one night after my first surgery where I slept on that side and my arm was tingly in the morning (but it went away). I really can't sleep on my back as it bothers my back, and I doubt I would be able to stick to just one side.

Thank you!

Anonymous · October 2013

Shira~~I had a mx last October with 16 nodes removed. My BS told me to find a new position to sleep on. For months I slept only on my right side, but for the past 5 months or so I've started sleeping part of the night on my left side. I try not to sleep with my weight on that arm, but it happens sometimes anyway. I've noticed a bit more swelling lately, but in think that may be lingering from rads which I finished on Aug. 13. Like you, I'd like to here others who know more about this chime in.

Blessings

Paula

Binney4 · October 2013

Shira, hi!

There aren't any studies to guide us on this question, but it makes sense that further blocking lymph flow by sleeping on your side can present problems, and certainly some women here (myself included!) have found that lying on the affected side can result in swelling. Also, gravity plays a role with LE, which is why we always recommend elevating the arm whenever possible instead of letting it hang down.

That said, some women can get away with lying a bit over on their side while keeping their arm out from under their body, not pulled up under their side, head, or pillow. Not an easy distinction to make when you're sound asleep!

So, a couple of thoughts. You can try putting a pillow slightly under that side of you to discourage the urge to roll over on that side in your sleep. Or perhaps you can sleep on your back without trouble if you make sure only your head, not your shoulders, is on the pillow, and put a couple of pillows under your knees as well to ease your lower back. On the StepUp-SpeakOut site there are pictures of ways to prop your arm with pillows as you lie on your "good" side. They're here:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Radiation_Induced_Brachial_plexopathy.htm#sleeping%20positions

Making life-style changes when you're sound asleep can be next to impossible! I hope others will be along with their suggestions.

Sigh!

Binney

Anonymous · October 2013

Hi Shira, I believe some of us touched on this very subject not that long ago. Cant remember the thread though. I HATE to admit it, believe me I do, but I think it isn't good to lay directly on the bad side especially with the arm under you. Easier said than done when youre in the land of nod. I Like the idea of the deterrents. If Im having a restless night and achy I'll try and time it to lay on that side for just a little while (with arm sorta out in front of me) to give me a break, and I try to wait til I'm nearly asleep then turn over. That can work for me.

Shira · October 2013

Ugh, but thanks....! I keep waiting for someone to give a different answer :-(

I can't imagine sleeping only on one side forever! During my pregnancies there was one side that was better to sleep on and I was never able to stick to the better side, and it was a conscious choice as it hurt my shoulder to stay on one side all night.

I have slept on my back with my knees propped up but only only for a short time period due to back problems (and I think I was taking muscle relaxants and could have slept anywhere!).

I hope this question is ok to ask, but what do people do that have had nodes out on both sides (and sleep on their sides)? I'll search for the other thread as well.

Thank you. Shira

p.s. Musical, that's what I was thinking of as a last resort, lying on the side I have to be careful on while falling asleep and turning over before I fall asleep. But all the time ending on the same side :-(. isn't easy I'm sure.

Anonymous · October 2013

Shira, as you have rightly determined, this problem SUCKS. :-(. Sorrrry I cant give you a better answer and I'm like you, I fail to comprehend how it's possible to stay on your back without some serious medication, and I hear you on the back problems. Aside from an old back injury that plays up from time to time, I've had intermittent aching back issues with all the compliments Arimdex pays you. It sure sucks when you dont wanna lay on your back. Grrrr. That said, I think there is ladies that only sleep on their backs.

Shira · October 2013

Not good! Maybe there's a magic bed out there somewhere!? Are you getting used to it?

I haven't had the second surgery yet, still 36 hours left to chicken out!

Thanks, Shira

Mrk923 · October 2013

Well. sleeping on my side definitely contributed to my LE. I woke up with a swollen left arm one morning and that was the start of LE for me. I also have back problems and have to sleep on my side. So now I always wear light compression along with a glove and try to sleep on my good side..Occasionally I will roll over to the bad side and slightly elevate my bad arm on a pillow for a short time and then roll back to the good side. This usually works well for me.

Sometimes if my arm is feeling a little achy in the evening or I think I may have overdone it with activity during the day or my back hurts I will wrap up with compression bandages before going to bed. According to my LE therapist I can sleep on either side if I'm properly bandaged. So far, I haven't had any problems. This is a bit time consuming but with practice I've learned to wrap up pretty fast. I also bandage up before flying just as a precaution.

They do make special nighttime garments for LE that are supposed to work well but I haven't wanted to spend the money to try one of those yet. My insurance deductible is too high to even bother for now.

Good luck with your surgery.....

Toni

Anonymous · October 2013

Welcome to the boards Toni and thanks for your input. Im not sure what the story is about compression sleeves at night. I thought it was a no no but yours is only light compression. That said, Im sure there's others here who do sleep in their sleeves but Im sure theirs is light as well.

The night garments are very expensive here. (NZ) Fortunately wrapping is still the gold standard and bandages doable price-wise, but those dang pesky finger wraps are another matter here.

Mrk923 · October 2013

Hi Musical, Just to clarify..... I do not wear a regular "compression sleeve" at night. I am not exactly sure why it is a no no either. It is my understanding that they are designed to work with your natural muscle movements to move fluids out and compression sleeves don't work while sleeping because you are sedentary?

What I wear at night is more like a tubular bandage that a therapist gave me. It has extremely light compression. The therapist also gave me an isotoner glove that is very light and works well.

My therapist also recommended the Farrow Wrap that can be worn day or night. I have tried it and it works but I have trouble getting the velcro strips adjusted just right so I prefer the traditional bandaging. You're right about those finger wraps.....

Shira · October 2013

Thanks Toni and Musical,

Toni, could you tell me more about the bandages and isotoner glove? Like, how should they fit, certain material? Also, would people wear them preventitively and do docs let people know about things like that preventitively?

My second surgery is tomorrow morning :-(

Anonymous · October 2013

"I also have back problems and have to sleep on my side. So now I always wear light compression along with a glove and try to sleep on my good side.."

Oh sorry, (brain fade) yes reading your post again I can see by context it's implied but you haven't actually said you sleep with the sleeve.

Well good on you for being able to conquer this danged wrapping. My LEist does such a great job but I struggle and struggle and struggle. My hubby and I had about 6 attempts tonight and I am getting soooo sick of it. :-( ... but hats off to you.

What is FArrow Wrap?

Shira all the best for your surgery. (Hugs)

Edited to get formatting right.

Dejaboo · October 2013

Good Luck today Shira!

I was a stomach sleeper all my life, until my Biopsy. Surgery Pain has kept me from sleeping normal/on my stomach for over 5.5 years

I do sleep on my bad arm side. Though not 'directly' on my arm. I have that under my pillow & also on a pillow for my hand wrist area- so my head is on my arm (if that makes sense)
My good side My shoulder hurts when I sleep on it for a short time- Though I flip from side to side each night. 80% of sleeping is done on my bad side. A Bad back keeps me from sleeping on my back. So I am left with not much for choices on how to sleep.
I do not think it contributed to my LE. (Though most of my arm LE symptoms are pain not swelling)
Also for me- my Truncal LE swelling is on my side (mainly where a bra sits) And sleeping the way I do- I feel that pressure at night helps my Trancal LE

Marple · October 2013

Sleeping with a day sleeve is not a good idea. They can bunch, slip, move around and you'd be unaware until you wake up with a problem. Now having said that, I will nap sometimes during the day with mine on (20 minutes asleep perhaps) but I either prop it up on a pillow lying on my back or lie on my side with a pillow on my hip and my arm on top of that. Over the years (7) I've become fairly adept at sleeping and not moving my arm unless I'm awake and changing positions. I definitely do not lie on my affected arm.

ttly11 · October 2013

I have had lots of swelling post op and find the only way I will not roll over on my right side is to wear my wrist braces, (which I wear for carpal tunnel )is hooking the wrist brace up on my headboard and propping pillows close under my arm. With the swelling and seroma it is so difficult! I always sleep on my right side due to other physical problems. Now trying to prop my arm up and not roll over on that side is so difficult! not to say how numb your arm gets hanging it up above you! Any other suggestions?

ttly11 · October 2013

I have had lots of swelling post op and find the only way I will not roll over on my right side is to wear my wrist braces, (which I wear for carpal tunnel )is hooking the wrist brace up on my headboard and propping pillows close under my arm. With the swelling and seroma it is so difficult! I always sleep on my right side due to other physical problems. Now trying to prop my arm up and not roll over on that side is so difficult! not to say how numb your arm gets hanging it up above you! Any other suggestions?

Can side sleeping contribute to LE?

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