My aching back...help, I need sleep!!

TracyLynn72
TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
edited September 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Oh my goodness...my back!  I have to sleep propped up on at least 2 pillows.  My face is STILL heavy a year and a half later.  Plus, the gunk that builds up in my throat at night doesn't help either.  If I lay any flatter than 2 pillows, I wake up choking and have to drink, rinse and spit several times.  Propping up helps with drainage, but makes my lower back ACHE every morning.  I can finally sleep on my side a little (I've missed that for over a year and a half!) but on my one side it makes my face hurt a little (I guess from the giant titanium plate that is now my facial structure) and the other side seems to make my back feel better just for a few minutes.  So I flip back and forth all night long.  Any type of pillow, support, ANYTHING that might help?  I hate to complain about such a small thing when others are going through so much more, but I really need a good nights sleep!

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    Hi Tracy

    Wow I am sorry you are having so much problems, I have a lower back disk rupture that I live with and it hurts like hell sometimes so I know where you are coming from. My doctor has me on Tramadol for the back pain is does help some, enough to at least take the sting out of the pain so I can work. I have also found using Eucalypus oil on my back help it feel a lot better at night, I also use it on my neck now for the pain that I get there sometimes. As far as the mucus I have not found anything that works to get rid of it, and not being able to swallow it is a big problem for me. I hope you find something that works because there is nothing like a good night sleep.

     

    Tim Hondo

  • Ladylacy
    Ladylacy Member Posts: 773 Member
    #3
    Back

    My husband has the same problems as far as his back and mucus.  He can't swallow at all so he has to spit it out constantly.  What we found has helped his back is that instead of sleeping on two or three pillows or a wedge, we raised the head of our bed by putting blocks under the posts on each side.  We have the head of the bed raised about 3 1/2 inches on each side.  Want to buy a bed that we can raise the head automatically but they are too expensive. 

    Wishing you the best -- Sharon

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #4
    Ladylacy said:

    Back

    My husband has the same problems as far as his back and mucus.  He can't swallow at all so he has to spit it out constantly.  What we found has helped his back is that instead of sleeping on two or three pillows or a wedge, we raised the head of our bed by putting blocks under the posts on each side.  We have the head of the bed raised about 3 1/2 inches on each side.  Want to buy a bed that we can raise the head automatically but they are too expensive. 

    Wishing you the best -- Sharon

    Tracy

    Sorry for your issues. I use 2 pillows for my head, also one under my legs and one on my side, a fortress of sorts. Am fortunate not to have mucus issues. I do use a vaporizer and do notice a difference with that. As far as your cheek being heavy, I will be 3 years out in January and the heaviness has gotten better. I used to say it felt like a bag of quarters hanging on there then a bag of nickels then just a constant discomfort but not pain. My titanium along with 14 screws come out this Friday at Mayo. Am praying bone can all be salvaged and has fused. I am anticipating relief once it comes out. Have you tried heat on your back? Is the back issue something new?

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #5
    Hondo said:

    Hi Tracy

    Wow I am sorry you are having so much problems, I have a lower back disk rupture that I live with and it hurts like hell sometimes so I know where you are coming from. My doctor has me on Tramadol for the back pain is does help some, enough to at least take the sting out of the pain so I can work. I have also found using Eucalypus oil on my back help it feel a lot better at night, I also use it on my neck now for the pain that I get there sometimes. As far as the mucus I have not found anything that works to get rid of it, and not being able to swallow it is a big problem for me. I hope you find something that works because there is nothing like a good night sleep.

     

    Tim Hondo

    Thank you Tim!

    I've heard a lot of good things about different oils helping as well!

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #6
    hwt said:

    Tracy

    Sorry for your issues. I use 2 pillows for my head, also one under my legs and one on my side, a fortress of sorts. Am fortunate not to have mucus issues. I do use a vaporizer and do notice a difference with that. As far as your cheek being heavy, I will be 3 years out in January and the heaviness has gotten better. I used to say it felt like a bag of quarters hanging on there then a bag of nickels then just a constant discomfort but not pain. My titanium along with 14 screws come out this Friday at Mayo. Am praying bone can all be salvaged and has fused. I am anticipating relief once it comes out. Have you tried heat on your back? Is the back issue something new?

    Good to hear

    that the heaviness gets better!  It has improved some, but I still feel like I have a roll of nickels in there :)  Prayers for you this Friday!!  Thank you for the pillow suggestion.  I put one under my legs last night and it helped A LOT! 

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #7
    Ladylacy said:

    Back

    My husband has the same problems as far as his back and mucus.  He can't swallow at all so he has to spit it out constantly.  What we found has helped his back is that instead of sleeping on two or three pillows or a wedge, we raised the head of our bed by putting blocks under the posts on each side.  We have the head of the bed raised about 3 1/2 inches on each side.  Want to buy a bed that we can raise the head automatically but they are too expensive. 

    Wishing you the best -- Sharon

    extra leg pillow

    helped a lot!  I woke up much less and didn't have that lower back pain this morning.  It reminds me of the lower back pain you get from being in that darn hospital bed too long. Aggravating!

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #8
    Ladylacy said:

    Back

    My husband has the same problems as far as his back and mucus.  He can't swallow at all so he has to spit it out constantly.  What we found has helped his back is that instead of sleeping on two or three pillows or a wedge, we raised the head of our bed by putting blocks under the posts on each side.  We have the head of the bed raised about 3 1/2 inches on each side.  Want to buy a bed that we can raise the head automatically but they are too expensive. 

    Wishing you the best -- Sharon

    those beds

    are SO nice, but we can't afford one either!  Thank you for the suggestion of raising ours.  I'll try it!

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #9
    Tracy, i'm sorry you are now

    Tracy, i'm sorry you are now having new issues.  i think the bed on blocks sounds like a good idea.  that way your head isn't in a weird position.  i hope you find a solution. 

    God bless you,

    dj

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #10
    TL needs some restful sleep

    Tracy,

    The only thing I can offer for a back ache is a back massage.

    I recently told my rad onc  my head felt 5 pounds heavier and she ordered an MRI, last time I do that.

    Matt

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