Fed up with not being able to lie down!

[rosie14]

Ladies each day things get easier at the time although it is a bit like a diet you don't notice the daily improvement it is the weekly! I am now nearly 4 months post op and can once again sleep in the foetal position without nesting!!!😀 There is light at the end of the tunnel ladies. My abdomen is still very numb and pulls especially if I try to lie flat!🙀I think this will take several months to ease! At least I have resumed a relatively normal life and can drive again!
Slowly slowly ladies!

[Bells2017]

I'm also sleeping in an odd pillows everywhere on my back , semi seated position. I'm usually a front sleeper so struggling to sleep through. I found that if I wake up comfy then I don't move the pillows to 'make the bed' then I can get back in if I want to without the rearranging.

[Anniej]

Thanks Jaynes 1208, very reassuring to read your post. I have started a new thread following the removal of my dressings, and the escalation of very severe stabbing pains in the underarm. Knocking me quite sick! So, back on the codeine I think, and mention it to oncologist on Tuesday . Hey ho, just something else to battle!

[ladybowler]

Jayne

What a fab, supportive positive post.  It is because we have been through these issues following our surgeries I think helps give comfort to those ladies who follow on from us, that everything is ok.

Helena xxx

[Jaynes1208]

All of you are awesome. Some of you have been through, and are going through so much, yet you take the time to reassure and help.

i took all of your advice and have "nested" until the last couple of nights, when I have been back in the marital bed! Lol! Still with lots of supportive pillows, and making the husband move over to accomodate me, but I'm back!! 

I've had some really horrible nerve pain, from the nodes being removed, the surgeon said they had to separate a main nerve.  When I asked how long it would take to stop feeling like I had shingles, he said it might never go away!  I was gutted, because it was so painful!

However, kind ladies on here told me to wait at least six weeks befor panicking.  I am now at 5 weeks since surgery, and this week it has made an improvement! Yaaaay! I'm so relieved!

I felt like I should be grateful and on top of the world that the op removed all the cancer, and I just needed some rads, but was soooooo down at the thought of maybe living with that pain forever! I feel so much more able to cope now.

So, if there's anybody out there, currently in the early post op stages, who has that terrible burning and shingles like pain, do not panic prematurely!  Give yourself time.  Do what you need to do to be comfortable.  Do not beat yourself up because you're still needing strong painkillers and can't do much!  Stay positive and believe that it will improve! 

Keep well!

Jayne

x

[Charys]

V shaped pillows on sale on aldi today ! 😊

[Coralie Stephney]

Hiya Rosie im sorry to hear all the problems that you have had. Hopefully the DIEP will have worked for you. You've had massive surgery so we all heal individualy. I must admit this forum and Steph and Schummi have really helped me before and now after my operation, as to what to expect. I've had a DIEP on one breast on 31st January. The next day i never thought id walk again. Lol i came home yesterday and was worried how i would cope in my own bed. I've been ok but like you all im not a back sleeper, so was awake most of the night. I ve had the pillars under my leg and neck. I think it takes time to get over the hourly checks they give you at the hospital. Im sure each day gets better

[Steph J]

Hi Rosie 

Its good to be able to share experiences thank you . And yes I too get tired even though I do sleep well at night . My tiredness comes if Iv exerted myself in the day .and twice this week Iv been out wandering around the shopping centre and eaten out ...it catches me out the following day . 

This made  me wonder if Id be ready to return to work in four weeks ,.so I changed my goal to the end of March now instead of the beginning and as I said concentrating on my exercise and fitness until then . 

I hope you get some sleep soon and the diep procedure works well for you . Good luck with your recovery . I always have a little look on this site .. although my journey has been less traumatic than lots of the ladies ...being able to come on here has been a massive support . So I can only say thank you Steph xx

[rosie14]

Hi Steph I am still tight round the stomach and chest area too I think this is something we have to live with and gradually it will become easier it is a big op! I still get very tired. I agree it is very hard to gauge progress when we don't know what the norm is!🤔

[Steph J]

Hi Rosie 

just read your post .. poor you still struggling all this time . Its bad enough youve had to go through the failed implants and now to have a diep with no sleep . Im nearly 8 weeks post op from my diep and Im beginning to realise how very fortunate Iv been . I now sleep like a baby again and Im getter flatter in the bed and sleep comfortably on my side ...still using a few extra pillows .

I did have some issues with itchy skin .. now resolved with vaseline and odd antihistamines . Thanks to advice from the ladies on here . 

Im now working on my exercises and trying to stretch the scar tissue . Stomach still tight and tightness under my boob . Physio asked me how I was doing ? I said I think  fine but how do I measure progress ha I dont know what Im gauging on . 

Anyway Im being good and getting stuck into them so I can resume normality . My 15 year old grandson has just come in and found me on the floor lol .. needless to say he justs thinks Im mentally unbalanced as he cant get the neccessity . Steph xxx

[rosie14]

I have been through a db mx several probs with failed implants and 8 weeks ago DIEP! I am not a back sleeper either and have struggled! Nesting is the only way with pillows and cushions! I put a pillow in the middle of the bed between my husband and I to avoid any contact! As the weeks passed I shovel a very soft pillow under my side and gentle turn onto it! Throughout the night I have to keep swapping the pillow to opposite side but at least I can get 2 hrs at a time if I am lucky! It will get easier and your V pillow will help. I had mine for this last op!

[Jaynes1208]

That should say "never been a back sleeper"! 🙄

[Jaynes1208]

Thanks Ladies,

i've been a back sleeper.  I hope it doesn't become a habit, hubby will never let me back in our bed cos of the snoring!! 😳😂

xx

[Emily T]

I was so numb after my op I rolled over in the night and slept on my "bad" side. It didn't and hasn't caused me any issues and I actually found it more comfortable!! Weird I know! But just thought I would share as I don't think it can hurt, as long as you are comfy.

[Charys]

LOl Yep, the 'v shaped nest' is the way to go! I have to say that being someone who never sleeps on their back, I found that so so hard.

[Jaynes1208]

Thanks Steph,

I had a bit better night last night!

i gathered just about every spare pillow in the house, went to the spare bed and made a big v shaped nest!  It worked and I slept much more comfortably.  And even though I woke a few times, I went back to sleep. 

Bit it of a sensitive throat this morning, from snoring, but that's to be expected if I'm sleeping on my back, I guess! And I'll take that if it means I've had good rest! 

Glad you're progressing well and can get more comfortable now.  

Stay well,

Jayne

xx

[Steph J]

Hi Jaynes 

just to say Iv read the posts from yourself and the other ladies . The advice all sounds pretty good , I did have three nodes removed and although the scar was small it did give me quite a bit of jip for a while . I also went on to have other surgery and I was in the same gang as the other ladies .. pillows everywhere ...under my arm ..under my boob ..at the back of my legs ... anywhere  that took the pressure off and I was comfortable ha .

I dont think it matters where you lie as long as you are comfortable ...but I get where youre coming from I think . Im guessing youre frightened of damaging something and putting yourself backwards . I worry by wearing a sports bra day and night Im going to end up with squashed pancake booby ha .... but I suppose if I put the worrying to one side and put my rationale hat on I know thats not going to happen . 

Im ten weeks down from sentinel node removal and seven down from mastectomy and diep .. Im almost back to sleeping normal again and I can sleep on my side hurray !! .. still pop a pillow under boob though . Its all about thr comfort . Good luck with your Vpillow and hugs xx

[Jaynes1208]

Thanks Charys,

i've now ordered a V shaped pillow, on Amazon prime, so should be here Monday!  Thanks for the advice, it's really funny, cos I refer to my "nest" on our smaller sofa, where all my pillows and paraphernalia are! Made me chuckle that you used the same term! 

This is site is a godsend!  What did women do before? 

Thanks again

Jayne

xx

[Charys]

Hiyer Jaynes, 

if you have a spare spare room then it would certainly help to have your own space....that's exactly what I did for a couple of weeks.  I had a kind of nest of about 6 pillows , 3 on both sides, and a v shaped one that I used behind my head, which I arranged that would give me the best positions to rest my arm outwards. I know it sounds excessive, but I found that at night I could move them around as I felt fit and find some way to lie relatively comfortably. A week and a half is definitely not long at all, and it is only now the last few weeks that I've been able to reasonably lie on the side I had my wle. I had my surgery in April! I can remember oh so well those first few weeks, lying on my back with my arm out and my bra on hoping I didn't have to move too much in the night. I had a few times where I accidentally turned onto the surgery side in the night and boy did I feel it. 

x

[Jaynes1208]

Thanks Lily59 and Rubycat!

I'm going onto Amazon in a minute to look at v shaped pillows!  And I might decamp to the spare room for a bit.  Thanks for sharing your experiences, when you haven't been anywhere or done anything much it can seem like ages since the op! Have to remind myself it's early days. You've eased my mind a bit and it's much appreciated. 

Jayne

xxx

[rubycat]

Hello Jayne, I'm almost 2 years on from my WLE, but can remember being uncomfortable for quite some time - a week and a half doesn't seem very long. For quite a few weeks I would sleep on the opposite side, and threw hubby into the spare room as he was in the way!   I put a pillow under my affected boob and then very carefully lay that side, but it did take a good while, possibly a couple of months. You will get there though - can remember the huge relief when I realised I'd turned over and could actually sleep on 'that' side.  Funnily enough, I've now changed sides in the bed and now sleep on my 'good' side.  Sometimes we are impatient to 'get back to normal', and it takes us all different lengths of time, so don't really compare yourself to anyone. You will get there in your time. Hope you are  more comfortable though very soon. xxx

[Lily59]

Hello Jaynes1208, I can relate to this problem! I think it is quite normal after surgery and is very frustrating. I found I had to prop myself up to sleep. It isn't a natural position to sleep in, hence the difficulty sleeping. Have you a spare room that you could use, as you say you're worried about being knocked by your husband when he moves? Also have a look at support pillows, especially the v shaped ones which may be more comfortable for the time being. It does improve and you will be able to sleep pretty much in your preferred position, however I still find sleeping on my left side a bit uncomfortable six months after surgery. I hope you can find some relief and I'm sending you best wishes. xx Lily

[Jaynes1208]

Hi guys,

Has as anybody else been unable to lie down comfortably a week and a half after WLE and node biopsy?

My boob really doesn't give me any trouble during the day, unless I knock it or anything, but, like others, my armpit is still quite painful.

When I try to go to bed there just doesn't seem to be any comfortable way to lay, that will allow me to relax and sleep.  Every position has it's own discomfort, and because my hubby sleeps on that side of me, I'm also terrified of getting knocked - he has been known to fling arms out/over in his sleep.

i'm still wearing my sleeper bras, which helps, but still too much discomfort to stay laying down. I'm using soft pillows around me, but again, if I get them in the right place to support my arm comfortably, they seem to press on my boob and make that ache!

Also, I have always slept on my left side, is it ok for me to try laying on that side, or should I avoid the pressure on the affected arm?

Just feeling a bit concerned that I'm still propping myself up on the sofa to sleep, when surgery was ten days ago.  Is this normal?  Should I be worried?  Should I just continue to go with whatever allows me to sleep, and not be concerned?  Will this work itself out?

Sorry about the ramblings! Tired from restless, painful and anxious night of trying to make myself sleep in my bed! 

Any advice/reassurance would be gratefully received! 

Jayne

xx