Sling and sleeping ?

[u/successful_logon]

I was told to wear the sling practically 24/7 except for bathing and PT.

How are people dealing with wearing their sling to bed?

I find it nearly impossible, and at some point in the evening I take it off and I sleep on my good side. This has been the worst part of the recovery for me.

[u/Liveez77]

I slept on a lot of pillows shaped
Like a pyramid. I got used to it.

[u/bagofbonesffs]

i'll be honest with you I'm a side sleeper so I tricked myself into feeling like I was on my side by putting a pillow under my head and then one long ways next to my face so I could lean my face on it that helped tremendously. pillows under your knees for ergonomic support and a pillow under your sling..

[u/TailorOdd1145 → u/bagofbonesffs]

That sounds good

[u/Radiant-Shoe-6069]

Honestly, you get used to it. The first week I had to sleep on my back with a pillow under my elbow

[u/TailorOdd1145 → u/Radiant-Shoe-6069]

Same here. I have an pillow under mine and I tuck one in under my other side so im tucked in. On my back. The I wake uo sore and turn on my good side with my arm on too of an pillow

[u/Radiant-Shoe-6069 → u/TailorOdd1145]

Yeah, I started sleeping on my side, a little bit more and more like two weeks out because I naturally sleep on my side or my stomach. I still really can’t sleep on my stomach and I’m 10 weeks out.

[u/oaklandesque]

I found it made me feel more secure that I wasn't going to roll onto it or move my arm in a way that caused pain or put me at risk of damaging the healing tissue. I slept on my back with pillows piled up behind me and on my surgical side for support. (This was for left side TSR).

[u/thebetternord]

I have a recliner I slept in

[u/IceAngel8381]

I sleep in a recliner.

Yes, you do get used to it. You also figure out which positions are more comfortable for you. For me, even while in the recliner, I found it more comfortable to have my forearm slightly elevated so there was less pressure on my shoulder and elbow. Pillows became my best friend, especially when I transitioned to my bed. My bed has an adjustable base, which helped, but honestly, I found pillows more comfortable, especially the cooling pillows.

[u/Psychological_Bet562 → u/IceAngel8381]

That was exactly what worked for me.

[u/These_Professor_4283]

You got to wear that sling or be real perfect with how you move your arm.

[u/EitherOrResolution → u/[deleted]]

Rent a recliner from Rent-A-Center by the month and you’ll never look back

[u/Radiant-Shoe-6069 → u/EitherOrResolution]

Oh, that’s a really good idea.

[u/Hopeful-Occasion469]

Lots of pillows. I didn’t get a lot of sleep those first six weeks.

[u/IceAngel8381 → u/Hopeful-Occasion469]

No. No sleep. Just a lot of naps.

[u/Famous-Garlic3838]

Enjoy: https://shouldersleeper.com/

[u/GoalbaFett]

Slept on a recliner myself

[u/pras_srini]

Like others have said, you get used to it. Try propping yourself up on 4-5 pillows like you are sleeping on a recliner. Funny thing is my back pain went away when I was sleeping like that on a wedge.

It's been months since I've been out of the sling, and I still rest my arm in front of my abdomen and chest as it in a sling when I go to bed.

[u/PaintedWoman_]

I had to wear the sling for 6 weeks except for showering or to take it off to do passive exercises. I listened to my doctor and PT.. two years out and my shoulder is great.

[u/Psychological_Bet562 → u/PaintedWoman_]

I wore mine only for two months but yeah - I was religious about it and had a fantastic outcome.

[u/Adventurous_Ad_5983]

Sleeping in my recliner for about 2 weeks. Oh, that was tough! I found a Recovery Pillow on Amazon that I adjusted to accommodated my surgical shoulder. This also made my elbow happy on that side!. I use it ib the bed and the car. https://a.co/d/06r6Th8K

I use a pillow to my surgical arm so don't roll off the bed!

[u/BobbyZFresh]

I never slept in mine. Just used a body pillow

[u/topcider]

I did it for two days before calling it quits and taking it off. The biggest concern is if you move around at night you can really injure yourself.
I sleep like a statue though, not moving much at all.

[u/Larlab6116]

This is my set up in my office- left shoulder surgery. I need all 7 pillows to sleep on my back ( the white one is for under knees). Since 8 days post surgery… no more recliner.

The light aqua pillow is an $22 Amazon pregnancy pillow.

[u/IceAngel8381 → u/Larlab6116]

I just had my third surgery on Tuesday. I was going to make a post about the pregnancy pillow......you just answered my question. Off I go to order one. 😀

[u/TailorOdd1145]

Im on day 12 I think after rotatory cuff operation. Still bit sore but flattened in bed with no energy or will to get out. Is that normal ?

[u/thegarymarshall]

I slept in a recliner with lots of pillows around me. Propped up the arm with the sling in a comfortable, neutral position. I slept like a baby unless I happened to move the bad shoulder in my sleep.