6 replies to this topic

[MichaelG]

So I can only sleep on my right side due to scoliosis and other problems. I used to sleep half over on my stomach, with my legs at different angles (not on top of one another.) But then I got a colostomy, which killed that (bag will pop if I sleep on it). Now I'm square on my right side and having major sleeping problems.

With all my weight on my right shoulder, it was causing a lot of pain. I managed to find a way to stack pillows underneath me that more or less avoids that, although I'm getting some minor skin problems on my chest.

The second problem has me stumped though. The weight of my left leg on top of my right is grinding a huge red dent into the right leg. After a couple of hours, spasms start. These are every 10-15 seconds and shake me awake. I have to sit up for half an hour and massage my legs. This goes on all night and is driving me nuts. I'm continually sleepy and depressed.

I've tried putting pillows or pieces of foam between my knees, but it has very limited effect. I've also tried numerous little variations on how I position my legs. No luck.

I guess I could take drugs to control the spasms, but I'm reluctant to do that. I don't want to take anything that slows my gut (major problems there), or makes me feel sedated. My legs also swell a lot already, and I've had one episode of DVT (blood clot). I don't want to kill the spasms completely and make the circulation problems worse.

The basic problem here is not out-of-control spasticity. It's that my right leg hurts from the weight on it. The spasms are a response to that. Can anyone think of a way to keep my legs comfortable at night? Zero gravity would be perfect, but I can't think of a way to arrange that.... :-)

[Tetracyclone]

thinkin'....

[Snakeye]

Ever try one of those pillows that conform to your body to prop or support yourself? They sell them at Walmart. kinda pricey. they help me. sounds like you have a serious dillima. Sleeping difficulties can lead to big problems both mental and physical...Maybe sleeping pills as a last resort.........Good luck..

[qbounce]

Why not just bend your right let up a little higher, then allow your left leg to rest behind it, so your left knee is abutting behind the right one. I sleep this way all night long with no additional pillows necessary.

[MichaelG]

qbounce, on Jun 5 2010, 01:51 PM, said:

Why not just bend your right let up a little higher, then allow your left leg to rest behind it, so your left knee is abutting behind the right one. I sleep this way all night long with no additional pillows necessary.

I don't have much range of motion on my legs. I have tried putting a pillow under the lower part of my left leg to reduce the pressure. I've tried pulling the left leg up so it rests on the thigh, not the knee of my right leg. And I've tried what you suggest -- pulling the left leg back more. It just starts to spasm.

The big problem is that I can't feel much of anything in either leg, so I don't actually know what is uncomfortable. I just set up a position or pillow, wait awhile to see if it spasms, and then try something else. I could be really close to a solution and not know it.

I was hoping someone had the same problem and had solved it with some gadget or padding. Is there a small version of those circulating air mattresses that I could put between my knees? I've seen product listings for heel guards. Is there a full-leg version, and would it help?

I've thought of building some kind of rigid tunnel my right leg could fit into, and my left leg could rest on. I don't know that I have the construction skills for that though.

[wheeliebear75]

Well making something to splint your leg could create another problem for you of having sores on your legs; you said you're not able to feel (lack of sensation) what's going on with your legs which means if your leg was being rubbed raw you might not notice it til a sore was visible whereas people who are able to feel their legs would've moved or removed the splint before a sore was ever made. I'm thinking you're probably getting close to "comfortable" & just don't know it cuz you're only noticing the negative responses. The lack of range of motion could also be whats making it harder to find that spot.......maybe if your legs were more limber you could find "the perfect position".

I can sleep on my stomach but I have to keep at least one of my legs bent because if I have them strait for anything over say 5-15 min. then my legs get number than usual. I'm not able to sleep on my left side at all........my neuropathy (<---why does spell check NOT know this word?) is much worse in the left leg than the right & laying on my left side can start spasms & sometimes even if I just lay my right leg over my left one for too long while sitting can start trouble for me. Everyone knows if I'm asleep to leave me be & let me keep on sleeping (I have a terrible time trying to sleep).......the exceptions to this rule however being #1 if I look pale or sweaty, #2 if I'm making icky sounding burps in my sleep (I might get sick VERY soon......so it's better to wake me & get the pain under control ASAP) #3 if I've managed to make myself totally strait.......Mom or BF will try to bend a leg for me or else wake me up to prevent any trouble from settling in in the 1st place.

Do you live alone or with family? If you've got other people around you maybe they can help by waking you when problems such as spasms are at a dull roar instead of when your legs are doing an Irish jig.......just a thought.

[MichaelG]

wheeliebear75, on Jun 5 2010, 03:57 PM, said:

Do you live alone or with family? If you've got other people around you maybe they can help by waking you when problems such as spasms are at a dull roar instead of when your legs are doing an Irish jig.......just a thought.

I live alone. I'm 51 and I've been paralyzed since I was 7. I somehow can't remember the C/T level, but I go numb (no control at all and not much sensation) a couple of inches below my armpit level.

The problems have really been mounting up over the years, from the scoliosis to bowel problems to carpal tunnel issues, and now the sleeping problems. Sigh.