My daughter had her decompression surgery on April 30th. She has had some trouble sleeping but we bought her one of those boppy pillows (the ones nursing mothers use to support the baby) and she has been using a ice pack. She said to give you these suggestions. I hope this helps.
I’m 3 weeks post op and am a side sleeper as well and would literally cry all night because my hips would hurt so bad I guess from the elevation so I would have to switch back and forth! My boyfriend went and bought me two queen size extra firm pillows and it worked I kinda stair stepped them if that makes since he also got a down mattress cover so my hips were more cushioned good luck with everything!
Pleasssse do not sleep on your stomach, im a stomach sleeper and i rolled over in my sleep and it was terrible and caused me to have neck spasms for weeks.
Kayla said:
Thank you all for your replies!
I'm trying to find ideas that doesn't involve me having to buy any special pillows- no job, no work, no money lol.
I've been too scared to try to sleep on my stomach, I'm afraid that would put my neck in a terrible position and I would regret it greatly when I woke up :(
I usually will nap throughout the day sometimes, I get tired very easily and quickly.
I tried the melatonin just the other night and it didn't really help me sleep any more than usual. I have found that I tend to wake up arupdound 5 or 6 am every morning. So I just take another pain pill and valium and can usually fall right back to sleep once I find a comfortable position. Then I'm up for the day around 8. My body has made its own schedule.
I was given a soft plushy-like neck brace from a friend my mother works with that she used after her neck surgery; and though I forgot to wear it to bed last night, I did wear it when I fell asleep for my involuntary nap this morning lol, and it helped greatly! It added so much extra support to my head and neck without adding preasure to my incision.
I strongly recommend asking your doctor for one, or where you can get one. Maybe CVS or Walgreens?
Thank you again for your advice and suggestions, it's so very nice to have a place just for people that have been through this and can help each other out. :)
Pleasssse do not sleep on your stomach, im a stomach sleeper and i rolled over in my sleep and it was terrible and caused me to have neck spasms for weeks.
Kayla said:
Thank you all for your replies!
I'm trying to find ideas that doesn't involve me having to buy any special pillows- no job, no work, no money lol.
I've been too scared to try to sleep on my stomach, I'm afraid that would put my neck in a terrible position and I would regret it greatly when I woke up :(
I usually will nap throughout the day sometimes, I get tired very easily and quickly.
I tried the melatonin just the other night and it didn't really help me sleep any more than usual. I have found that I tend to wake up arupdound 5 or 6 am every morning. So I just take another pain pill and valium and can usually fall right back to sleep once I find a comfortable position. Then I'm up for the day around 8. My body has made its own schedule.
I was given a soft plushy-like neck brace from a friend my mother works with that she used after her neck surgery; and though I forgot to wear it to bed last night, I did wear it when I fell asleep for my involuntary nap this morning lol, and it helped greatly! It added so much extra support to my head and neck without adding preasure to my incision.
I strongly recommend asking your doctor for one, or where you can get one. Maybe CVS or Walgreens?
Thank you again for your advice and suggestions, it's so very nice to have a place just for people that have been through this and can help each other out. :)
@Allura
I’ve never been a stomache sleepersleeper, and couldn’t imagine trying now lol, I Could only imagine the pain it caused your neck at that angle 
I don’t even think muscle relaxers could help with that one. You poor thing.
@Tamkay
I know exactly what you are talking about with the hip pain,.and it’s even worse since I’ve had hip problems since I was 15.
But Between trying to find a comfortable position and my leg Issues, bed time is the worst of the day.
I don’t try to toss or turn too much through the night for the hassle of trying to get comfortable again, but I definitely wake up nearly in tears from my hips and sleeping in the same position for so long. But I’ll definitely have to give the pills under my hips try. Thank you!
For several months I didn't sleep much. I slept on my side, my stomach, in the chair,in the bed...wherever I could sleep. The body is going through a very difficult change right now. It will take some time for you to adjust to your new normals. This surgery and process is not for the weak or the faint at heart. It is going to be lots of trial and error. I did not have money to spend on things to try. I had to save for a new pillow in hopes that it might work. I was intolerant of the meds, so they were a no go.
The best advice I can give is to listen to your body! You may sleep at weird times or not at all. You may experience cold sweats or hot spells. You may be perky and bouncy or moody and crabby. You are on the CM roller coaster. It is rough and miserable. I will pray that you recover quickly. Good luck and hang in there!
-M
Thank you so much for your reponse, I can relate so well.
I’m right there with you- I don’t have the money to be buying new things like special pillows to try; however I have found some things that could maybe help you as well, because I know I personally am very limit as I can’t sleep sitting up or on my stomach.
As for money wise, I know buying things is mostly out of the question, however I was lucky to receive from a co-worker of my mother’s, one of those soft memory faom type neck braces they give patients after neck surgery usually, and if you buy anything then I HIGHLY recommend that be the one thing you get. It’s made a tremendous difference with my sleep as it helps to keep your head and neck steady throughout the night and it’s not restricting. I imagine they’re relatively cheap even though I understand the money trouble, but maybe if you’re lucky enough to Know someone with one that doesn’t need it any more they can let you borrow it. I promise, it’s made a huge difference.
I also have one of those airplane type pillows as I believe I mentioned, but if you have one of those laying around you could possibly do the same thing as you would with the brace- I don’t wear it on my neck as it’s horrible on my incision but if I pull my regular pillow up on my shoulders under my neck (like as apposed to laying on it fully) then but the neck pillow sort of at the top of my head where the big part of the horseshoe shape is what my head is resting on, its helped a lot with relieving pressure off my neck. Same with sleeping side-ways, pull the pilow up on your shoulder and have the hosreshoe shape around your head where you’re sleeping on the side of it. That and I’m constantly surrounded by pillows.
Just a few things that have helped me without requiring me to spend money I don’t have, maybe some of this can help you.
The cold and hot spells are definitely annoying and you’re absolutely right about the mood rollercoaster. But when you’re tired and in pain, you can’t always pretend you’re fine. I’m terribly sorry your medications weren’t able to work for you, I’m sure that’s been even more difficult for you.
Not sure how far post-op you are, but good luck on the rest of your journey, I know we both have a long way to go.
I had to lay on one of those chair pillows. It helped me sleep sitting up. I couldn't lay down at all. It really worked for me and ended up being really comfortable.