If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
I am 3 months out from surgery and tried to lay on my stomach the other day in order to play with my kid, but it felt very painful. When can you? Will it always hurt?
Hi Rich,
I'm fused T-10 through L-5 so we're almost identical, but I'm 21 months out. I've been a stomach sleeper for as long as I can remember so I thought learning to sleep on my back or side post op was going to be next to impossible but once I tried and found how difficult and painful it was, I managed.
If my memory is correct, I was finally able to get comportable in my modified stomach sleeping position about 5-6 months out. When I say modified, I mean I lay on my stomach but I have my left leg bent with a pillow under my knee. I never realized how odd that sounds until I wrote it on here but it seems to be the only way to get comfortable on my stomach. I actually sleep on my sid more now than any other position. Seems to suit me best these days.
Give it a little more time and it will get better.
Becky
51 years old
Married 28 years
3 kids ages 23, 21 and 17
Fused T-10 through L-5 June, 2008
Developed junctional kyphosis, flat-back and sagittal imbalance
Revision Surgery June 27, 2011
Fused T-4 thru S-1 with pelvic anchor screws
Take 2 revision October 15, 2013 to locate source of continued pain
Pseudoarthrosis at L-3, 2 screws removed
I too am a stomach sleeper! I will miss it, however; I was able to manage for 2 pregnancies, guess I will again.
36 year young cardiac RN
old curve C 29, T 70, L 50
new curve C 7, T 23, L 20
Surgery June 11, UCH, Dr. Cronen T2-L5, posterior
Revision December 20 L5-S1 with pelvic fixation
and Osteotomy to L3 at Tampa General Hospital
I will ditto Becky with the "modified" position. I think it took me about 8 months, but my right shoulder was broken. Stuff happens.
I basically slept on my left side for 1 year.
I have no problems sleeping at all now.
Ed
49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
Pre surgery curves T70,L70
ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada
same here... i was a stomach sleeper my whole life and i was worried about sleeping on my stomach again post-op (esp. since sleeping on your stomach isn't good for anyone's back!) i now sleep on my side; it's just more comfortable. sometimes i do miss sleeping on my stomach and find myself flipping over into that position, but within a couple of seconds i realize it just doesn't feel the same...it doesn't feel comfortable and it also forces my lumbar spine (only fused to L1) to arch, which isn't good. side sleeping w/ a pillow tucked between the knees is the best way to go...for anyone.
I think you had the surgery a week before me rich, and I am now able to sleep on my stomach..It took me a little while but I find I am comfortable on my stomach than on my back. Maybe because I was always one who slept on my stomach idk.
27 year old female
Upper Curve 110 degrees
Lower Curve 90 degrees
Surgery with Dr. Wood at MGH 1/11/10 && 1/14/10
Fused T2-Pelvis
Back looks amazing and no more Hump! ^_^
I guess I really never knew this was an issue. Goes to show my ignorance! Doesn't it hurt to lay on the spine? Sorry if that sounds stupid. I'm a side sleeper anyway, so hopefully if/when I get my surgery it won't affect me too much.
Be happy!
We don't know what tomorrow brings,
but we are alive today!
Comment