9 replies to this topic

[ctom3]

1. Magic Bullett Suppositories, are these available at any drug store or is this something that online order?

2. I've been tolded how important it is for my husband to be turned every 2 to 3 hours when he's asleep so he doesn't get pressure sores, is it really necessary to turn every couple of hours?

Thanks.

[StillFingers]

As for the Magic Bullets, I've always ordered them from my local medical supply company or got them online, I've not looked at the local drug store. I do look/shop around a bit for the best price. The last few years I've been getting mine online from this website...you can find the magic bullets under Don's Solutions.

Access To Recreation
www.accesstr.com


With regards to turning, everyone is different. Every two/three hours is usually what's recommended, but experiment a bit. You can try and increased the hours a little bit over time, but be careful to look for any redness, you don't want to get any bedsores; they can take a very long time to heal.

[qman]

re turning.

it is a matter of working out your tolerance.

for many it is possible to get to a pretty normal sleep routine. for me i generally wake up once or twice and roll from my side to my back or over onto the other side

[qbounce]

As you didn't post where you live I have no idea if your local drug store carries the MAGIC BULLET or not, but in America they don't. Most medical supply companies do carry them here, and some insurance companies cover them too. Maybe check your husbands insurance before springing for them on your own.

Turning in bed also dependants on what type of matress your hubby sleeps. If it's an air cushion or a softer memory foam, good chances are he may only need to turn once or twice during an 8 hour period. But, Stillfingers idea of seeing what works and checking for redness is mandatory.

I turn myself once or twice a night, depending on how sore my shoulder gets from laying on it for 3-4 hours streight. Btw, I only use one pillow for my head (and the other is currently reserved for my s/o.--hehe).

There are other threads here regarding sleeping, how many pillows to use, cathing at night and turning, etc. Good luck

[russ1]

On a proper pressure relieving matress I can and have slept for 10 hrs straight without turning at all with no issues, on other matresses I wake after 3 or 4 feeling uncomfortable and have to turn over. Experiment and keep an eye on his skin but you should be getting fairly normal sleeping patterns fairly quickly.

[Trinity]

I don't wake up overnight to change my position however if i do wake up I generally move and sometimes I wake in the morning to find myself in a completely different position to the one I went to sleep in. I normally just stay put though. Also, I'm not sure how long your husband has been injured but he should be able to turn himself pretty easily. No point in both of you suffering from a broken nights sleep!

[BillS]

I've never tried the Magic Bullet, I just use standard glycerin suppositories that I pick up at any drug section of my grocery store.

As for turning... let him turn himself. He's got to learn that he's not an invalid and he's capable of doing things for himself. I know I toss and turn all night long and as a complete T8 I turn myself without even waking up. Get a headboard that has spindles or something else to grab a hold of and he should be able to handle turning without any problem. In 32 years of having an SCI I've never had any bed sores, plenty of sores from sitting in my chair too long without doing pressure relief but never any from the bed.

[Murray]

As for turning... let him turn himself. He's got to learn that he's not an invalid and he's capable of doing things for himself. I know I toss and turn all night long and as a complete T8 I turn myself without even waking up. Get a headboard that has spindles or something else to grab a hold of and he should be able to handle turning without any problem. In 32 years of having an SCI I've never had any bed sores, plenty of sores from sitting in my chair too long without doing pressure relief but never any from the bed.

ditto re: the headboard - something to grab makes the rollin' a breeze (something other than your squeeze, depending on tolerance - lol). I've been a lucky sonnuvagun - haven't had to roll due to bedsores (T6 inc; T11 comp), just because it feels good.

Good luck to you guys.

[twisted_ophelia]

Here in Canada, I've never seen the Magic Bullet in pharmacies or any other stores. I don't use the MB, I use the Life Brand glycerin supp from Shopper's Drug Mart (Canadian drug store chain) and I have used it for years. Works great.

I do not turn every 2 to 3 hours on a set schedule. I turn when I wake up at night and usually just flop myself around to the other side, change position, whatever. But I do sleep with a body pillow and an egg crate foam mattress topper. I check my skin in the morning to be safe and I'm generally just fine. I'm 11 years post injury without any major skin issues resulting from sleeping position.

Edited to add that I noticed it says your husband is a T10. As Murray said, there is no point in your turning him with his injury level (unless he otherwise needs it for some reason). I'm a T8 and I certainly do not need help turning.

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 19 February 2009 - 01:33 PM.

[Melvin1979]

I dont know about Magic suppositories.

But regarding the side ways movement... Mom turns my brother over at 12.30 midnight and she then turns him again at 6.30 early mornin. He has SCI for 5 yrs.