adjustable bed & achy hips

[CathyE]

I came to have a look as I am using an adjustable bed and frequently I go through periods where it makes my hips very achy. I can't sleep on my back, so I alternate sides. Some nights it's one side more than the other that aches. But lately is has been both. That's why I got up a 4 AM this AM :(

But because of my Hydrocephaus problems, it often helps if I'm not in bed too long. Unfortunately I take after my Dad & LOVE my sleep. But only at night!
During the day I often need several lie downs & try not to fall asleep because that I do not like because I end up feeling groggy for too long after.

Anyway if anyone happens to read this & has a solution to my achy hips, I'd love to hear from you! I have tried with a foam topper and without. My mattress is medium firmness. (I think hard would make it worse & maybe soft would too because sometimes I feel like I'm pulling my hip joint apart to cause the achiness.

I am tempted to try Memory Foam but it is so expensive and I think I would need 2 to 3 inch depth. What do you think?

I am also going to post this in the Caregiver Support. Well, I am my own care giver so to speak!

Thanks
Cathy

[Norma]

Cathy
My suggestion is to get a body pillow.
Place it between your legs as far up into your crotch as possible.
You will have to clamp down on it with your legs when you turn from one side or the other so you won't lose the position. I can't sleep without mine.
There are several different kinds of material that they are made of.I found that cotton worked best for me. You will need a pillow slip also.
I know this sounds a "little kinky":o but hey it works for me.
I sure hope this helps.
Norma

[CathyE]

Thanks Norma,

Actually I have started seeing a Physiotherapist & we are mostly working on my posture with a few simple exercises to reinforce the posture (sort of ) and strengthen my "core" (I guess torso & spine & back muscles). Boy there's a lot to proper posture!!!

We covered sleeping position and it has helped a lot. YES I need a thick & "giving" pillow between my legs. The body pillow I bought was too thick, probably because I am quite petite.

If you sleep on your side you should make sure your weight is right on your shoulder (for that area). If I roll forward or back a bit, I wake with achy shoulders and arms. To help prevent the rolling I use a thick cushion to rest my upper arm on.

The same seems to apply to my hips – I make sure I am not leaning forward or back or again I wake up with a sore hip or hips.

I manage to support my neck by squishing my pillows down a bit. I can’t stand much pressure on my neck so those contoured pillows don’t work for me.

I hope others are doing better re their sleep positions and morning achiness!

Cathy

[Nana4&cntn]

Cathy, I too have had the sore hip and shoulder pain during sleep. I used to wake up not knowing if I could walk.

Well, after trying everything the doc'e an pt's said, I bit the bullet and bought the memory foam bed advertized on tv. Many furniture stores carry the and you can lay down on the to see if it may be for you.

Honestly when I got mine I was desparate for sleep w/o/pain. It feels hard at first but does actually conform to your body. Mine has the remote(another thing to keep track of) and adjusts both head and legs or both it also has a massage feature. I still sleep with a firm pillow between my legs. A big drawback for me is you cannot use a heating blanket.

Hope this helps, but these things are very expensive, and I don't know if any private insurance helps. I know mdcr&mdcd wont.

Blessings,
Kathy

[carolyne]

It's hard to find a cause here, it could be because of the bed but it could also be a health issue. My room mate has the exact problem, every morning he gets up tired and with back pain. He is reviewing now few adjustable bed (http://www.apartmentlifecare.org/21/sleep-back-pain/), I'll let you know if a new bed worked for him.