(04-21-2021, 02:55 PM)BengalHawk62 Wrote: Have anyone ever had to learn to change positions when you sleep?  I’ve always been a stomach/side sleeper but recently I’ve had some pretty bad shoulder pains that make it almost impossible to sleep on a shoulder.  So I’ve tried learning to sleep on my back.  Ugh. It’s been some pretty bad nights of sleep lately.  It just feels so uncomfortable to lay on my back.  Does anyone have any helpful suggestions?  Has anyone else had this problem?

(04-21-2021, 03:28 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: Edit:  I have also had issues over the years with getting good sleep, especially falling asleep.  So I have learned a few things that have helped.  I generally try to stop using cell phone and computers 2 hours before bedtime and no TV 1 hour before bedtime.  While I stay hydrated through the day with plenty of water I don't drink any 2 hours before bedtime as well to avoid that feeling like I might need to go just when I'm wanting to fall asleep.  I try to keep my bedroom a bit cooler than the rest of the house and let fresh air in through the window when weather allows.  Again reading a book for a bit helps me as well.  It tends to take my mind off the daily stuff that might be stressing me out as I try to sleep.

I guess what I'm trying to add with the above is that if you are in a state that can accommodate falling asleep easier then that might help as well.

(04-21-2021, 02:55 PM)BengalHawk62 Wrote: Have anyone ever had to learn to change positions when you sleep?  I’ve always been a stomach/side sleeper but recently I’ve had some pretty bad shoulder pains that make it almost impossible to sleep on a shoulder.  So I’ve tried learning to sleep on my back.  Ugh. It’s been some pretty bad nights of sleep lately.  It just feels so uncomfortable to lay on my back.  Does anyone have any helpful suggestions?  Has anyone else had this problem?

(04-21-2021, 07:54 PM)jfkbengals Wrote: I feel for you, as I have had the same issue.

I always sleep on my left side or stomach with my left arm above my head.  Years back I somehow hurt my rotator cuff, and it was DREADFUL trying to sleep.  Even if I managed to fall asleep in a different position, I would manage to roll over into those positions and wake up in excruciating pain because of it.

Recently I went through it again, albeit only for one night.  When I got my second covid shot in my left arm, it would hurt to the touch or if I lifted it above my head.  Not much sleep at all that night, as I kept waking up in pain from being on top of it or having it up past my head.  Once I would get out of those positions, I couldn't drift off because they were uncomfortable.   Eventually I would fall back asleep, but then rinse and repeat...

(04-21-2021, 04:50 PM)XenoMorph Wrote: Yes for that my best method is to watch a movie i know by heart..   Generally something slow in the beginning so its easy to close my eyes and follow the movie in my head...   "Sphere" is a great one.    (of course this can backfire if you use your favorite movies for this as it might be hard to stay awake to them later lol)

Having a cat sit in your lap might do the trick too

(04-27-2021, 08:49 AM)Takedown Wrote: Hate to be this guy, but sleep aid will help you sleep on your head if that's how you want to sleep. I'm a side and stomach sleeper myself and have had shoulder issues where sleeping on my back was the only option. Sleep aid helped me sleep through the night no problem.

(05-01-2021, 11:28 PM)BengalHawk62 Wrote: What sleep aid are you referring to?

(05-02-2021, 07:09 AM)Takedown Wrote: Just good old melatonin brother. You can get it anywhere over the counter. Just read the MG and how much you should be taking like any other over the counter drug. I use it if I'm sleepless. 

(05-02-2021, 09:25 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: I was taking zquill to help me sleep. My Dr. at the VA prescribed me melatonin instead. I take two 3mg tables about 20 minutes before bedtime and I’m out like a lite. However, sleep aids arejust to help you get to sleep. If your in pain or discomfort, you will be dealing with it after a few hours.

I have a lot of back and neck pain. I sleep on my side and use a pillow to straddle. Takes the weight off the back. If I sleep on my back, simply crossing my right leg over left relieves lower back pain as well (but not vice versa for some reason). Also, if sleeping on back, one could try to elevate both legs above the heart. That also takes pressure off lower back.

As for shoulder pain? Man, I get this a lot and I still haven’t figured out how to prevent. Although, George is right about rotating your mattress as this seems to help, but for me does not totally eliminate.

I looked into getting a sleep number bed. Man those things are super expensive. Yet, I might end up getting one anyway because you really can’t put a price tag on getting a good nights sleep. 

On another note but unrelated. I had a sleep study done by VA two weeks ago. I was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. Seems I stopped breathing on avg. 58.3 times per hour. I have an appointment tomorrow to get a Cpap, which I am, but am not looking forward too. It’s going to take quite a bit to get used to sleeping with that thing on. However, if it helps me sleep better, I’m all in.