How can I get comfortable to sleep?

coolcait

dianetheartist wrote: »

you cant use electric blankets on memory foam mattress so thats out..V -pillows are really comfy-depends what you have wrong--but are not very expensive so worth buying to try maybe,,,can use for reading when you are better if no good while you are sore! Some of the best pain killers I have found are from Aldi-- Pain Relief Plus -paracetamol+ caffeine. I find them better than all the stuff off the docs..good luck with it--must be horrible x

My mum and sister would completely agree with the bit in bold.

In fact, my mum has sworn for years that paracetamol works better for her if she washes it down with a cup of coffee, or drinks a cup of coffee immediately afterwards...

I have to say that the paracetamol + coffee combination makes me feel very odd and woozy. And I regularly imbibe caffeine!

Savvy_Sue

Slightly better reviews (but still mixed) for this, which is not v-shaped. This one would be more of a cuddle pillow, as I described, whereas the one coolcait linked to was a (fairly standard) V shaped pillow. Either might work!

Wol2

You have my sympathy.

When I had broken ribs I slept upright on the sofa with duvets/pillows etc all around and over to support me.

Re painkillers......if you are unable to take codeine have you asked your GP about Tramadol?

xxx

samsmoot

Being able to get relaxed at will could help. Describing the whole process of achieving total relaxation of mind and body is a book's worth of explaining, but even some kind of simple relaxation method may possibly be useful. It could help when you wake up when you should be sleeping, as you will focus your mind on the relaxation as opposed to the obvious pain and discomfort.


I can't really recommend any particular technique, except my own, which is yet to be published (or written). In the meantime you could try looking for some basic relaxation techniques or try what I suggest:


Without knowing any relaxation methods you could try, when you go to bed, putting the radio on at a very low volume - just loud enough to hear the words (so a talk show, Radio 4 or suchlike) but not so loud as it would keep you awake. If you wake up, pay attention to the radio and in your mind repeat the last thing you heard - the phrase or sentence last said. Listen as you breath in, repeat as you breath out. There's no need to be precise or remember all of what you hear - just enough to take some time repeating back to yourself, and if it sounds mumbled just repeat something similar, even if it doesn't make sense. As you breath out, drag the words out until you breath in again, or stop repeating if you are nearly done breathing out, then you are ready to hear the next phrase to repeat.


I wish I could describe exactly how I am able to fall asleep easily by the application of what is basically an act of paying attention to different parts of your body and relaxing each part as you count down from ten to zero. The mind tells the body to relax, the relaxing body in turn helps relax the mind. If you could mentally divide your spine up into eleven parts, then, starting from the base of your neck relax each part until you reach the base of your spine, that would be a good start.


To stay relaxed, if you manage to get that far, some kind of 'mantra' would help. Something there is three of, but said to yourself in your head in fours works very well for focusing your attention to the relaxing. It works because it's neither too easy nor too hard - not too taxing on the brain but you still have to concentrate a little bit. You might say (in your head, once you are as relaxed as you can get), 'Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Groucho', then 'Chico, Harpo, Groucho, Chico', then 'Harpo, Groucho, Chico, Harpo', then back to 'Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Groucho'. You could always try something a bit more 'spiritual' than the Marx brothers.


I hope I have explained myself properly, and that it is of some use to you. I'd be happy to add some extra info if you feel this may be worth knowing more about.

Smookle

You need to make sure you're taking adequate enough analgesia for a chest injury to be able to cough or take a deep breath, or you might be at risk of developing a chest infection. This is also why splinting ribs has gone out of fashion, as it restricts full lung expansion.

Ditto what others have said about taking Ibuprofen, if theres no medical reason you shouldn't take it, it works wonders when taken with Paracetamol, and is ideal for muscular injuries as it has anti-inflammtory properties.

If that doesn't work, speak to your doctor, because there are lots of other opiate based drugs apart from codeine that you can take.

Mr_Toad

They used to strap you up really tight for that type of injury but current medical thinking seems to be not to.

When I broke two ribs playing rugby I was strapped up tight, it prevents the damaged ribs moving too much and it's the movement that causes the pain.

Someone mentioned boxers and gaffer tape, same thing. Even if you only strap yourself up at bedtime it should improve things enough to enable sleep.

tyllwyd

I've got a triangular shaped wedge back support (not this one but this kind of thing)
http://www.sueryderforlife.co.uk/bed-wedge-cushion.html?gclid=CImB892BnrsCFeESwwod9GoAaA


It's very firm, so I put three pillows in front of it - they don't slip downwards so much that way, so I'm sitting up. Then I put another pillow underneath my knees, so I'm in a more curled up position which is more comfortable for my back.

meritaten

am pleased to report that I spent a far more comfortable night using a combination of methods!
a lovely nest of duvets (got a bit hot, but, I don't mind that), painkillers, OH tucked a pillow under my left arm and against the damaged rib to minimise movement. only woke up a few times and otherwise slept ok!
as for Ibuprofen, I have never taken any, but have bought some to try tonight.
Relaxation - I do my own version of that too! I found it difficult during the week as perhaps I wasn't waiting long enough for the painkillers to 'kick in'.
hopefully the Ibuprofen + paracetamol will have more effect than paracetamol alone.

I do thank you all very much! I feel very much better today having had some 'Quality' rest! I also feel you have given me lots of good advice to hold 'in reserve'! I never realised just how long it takes for ribs to heal and quite how painful it is!

littlerat

If you're still struggling, go the doctors, they may give you a stronger anti-inflammatory like naproxen for a while (replaces ibuprofen), or even tramadol (different class so can be taken with naproxen/ibuprofen and paracetamol).

meritaten

I know I sound a bit 'stubborn' about painkillers - but, I found out the hard way which painkillers I am allergic to. I mean really allergic, not just sensitive to. I will try the Ibuprofen though - but a very small dose!