How can I get comfortable to sleep?

meritaten

First let me say I am NOT looking for medical advice!

I damaged a rib in my lower back on the left hand side last sunday. since then I have hardly slept - I CANNOT get comfortable. cant stand being on my back anyway and no matter which side I lie on - it hurts! I have a memory foam mattress btw and put another memory foam topper on it. I drift off and if I move or cough - I am awake again.
I take paracetomol during the day but limit myself to three doses so I can take some before bed. (I am allergic to Aspirin and Codeine btw).
I even tried drinking a whole bottle of wine and getting soused - that didn't work - I just kept getting up to wee!
any Ideas please - I really need some sleep!

poet123

Have you tried sleeping with a pillow under your side, like you do with your bump when pregnant!!

meritaten

yep - both sides! Ive tried using six pillows and 'sitting up' - but I slide down and its painful when my back hits the mattress. I think I have tried every combination of every dam pillow in the house!

splishsplash

Do you have a recliner? Probably your best bet for a week or two.

meritaten

No recliner - and am racking my brains now trying to think where I may borrow one as that could work!

poet123

Drastic, but what about a padded sunlounger? When an uncle of mine was dying he couldn't sleep in a bed without pain, but he did get relief from using a sunlounger in a semi upright position.

pennypusher

How about a hot water bottle to relax the muscles in your back or electric blanket to warm the bed up?

Try sleeping on your stomach?

Sleep on the other side to the damaged ribs.

How about putting a padded bandage on it to cushion it or wrapping a scarf around it or something soft?

How about arnica, I think it helps bring out the bruising> Go to a health food shop and get some advice perhaps.

Hope this helps.

meritaten

I am willing to try anything! when my FIL was dying he had a down 'nest' - I am wondering if a few old feather duvets folded and placed on mattress and pillows will help? plus arnica maybe.
in the old days they 'strapped' ribs. they don't do that now but I am wondering if that would help.
I really am desperately tired - am used to running on little sleep but this is more like 'no sleep'.

puppypants

Have you tried somewhere like the Red Cross? They hire things like wheelchairs out so maybe they will hire recliners. Just a thought. x

itsanne

meritaten wrote: »

yep - both sides! Ive tried using six pillows and 'sitting up' - but I slide down and its painful when my back hits the mattress. I think I have tried every combination of every dam pillow in the house!

Either a pillow under your knees or raising the foot of the bed slightly might prevent you sliding down so easily.

Lack of sleep is grim.

DigForVictory

Find someone who boxes, or knows people who do. They can do startling things with gaffer tape that medics may now say is so old fashioned, but it sounds like you're about ready to try Anything in exchange for sleep?!
They may blink about taping a female, but pick a brassiere you don't mind being seen in (& sleeping in if necessary) and be honest - You Need Sleep!