Question for "side sleepers"

[Wade]

I'm 7 weeks post-op...tried on my side Saturday night, bad idea. I experienced the same thing you did....arm up under the pillow caused my chest to hurt. And man was I sore all day Sunday. I think I'll wait a week or so and try again.

I wonder why it is that it feels like the heart is pounding when on one side??

 

[Wade]

For me it was about 6 weeks post-operation before I could fall asleep on my side with my arm under my pillow. I tried a few times before that, and my arm up under the pillow caused pain in my sternum. I woke myself up turning over between 6 and 8 weeks, as the pain would flare up a bit. Then for about 2 or 3 weeks I slept hugging a pillow, and now am back to normal side sleep. There are times where I still can't sleep on my left side, as it feels as though my heart is really pounding, but even that is going away now. Give it a try, as you shouldn't be able to hurt anything, and see what is comfortable.

I'm 7 weeks post-op...tried on my side Saturday night, bad idea. I experienced the same thing you did....arm up under the pillow caused my chest to hurt. And man was I sore all day Sunday. I think I'll wait a week or so and try again.

I wonder why it is that it feels like the heart is pounding when on one side??

 

[catwoman]

WOW, you're quite the over-achiever! When I was in the hospital, it was tough enough just to get in and out of bed - whew!!

Thanks, Kim!

I slept on my left side in the hospital. Pre-op, I couldn't do that -- too uncomfortable for many years. I was surprised that it was not uncomfortable to sleep on my side.

 

[hetmarie]

I'm 7 weeks post-op...tried on my side Saturday night, bad idea. I experienced the same thing you did....arm up under the pillow caused my chest to hurt. And man was I sore all day Sunday. I think I'll wait a week or so and try again.

I wonder why it is that it feels like the heart is pounding when on one side??

I read somewhere that it can feel like it's pounding when on your side because your heart is in a sac which the surgeon cuts open to get at your heart and sometimes they don't take the time (or have the time) to sew the sac back up. When you lay on your side, your heart can rest on your rib cage which makes it sound and feel like it's "pounding". Mine does that when I lay on my left side. At first I couldn't stand it but now I'm used to it so I can sleep on either side. Just one more "new normal" to get used to I guess.