Sleep problems after open right partial

First off, just let me say thank you to everyone who posts here.  I'm 33, and like many, had my tumor detected 'by accident,'  I was in the hospital for an intestinal infection, and they just happened to find it on a CT scan. 

I had my operation on 6/1, thankfully they managed to get the entire tumor; it was still confined to the kidney capsule, and hadn't spread or metastisized yet.  Now I'm two weeks out, and getting that little bit better every day (putting on my own socks was the big accomplishment today  :-) )  However, sleep is still a problem.  I've pretty much resigned myself to getting sleep 'whenever it happens', but I'm still ony averaging about 4 hours of sleep every day.  I've weaned myself off the prescribed Vicodin, since it wasn't really helping with the pain, and making the sleep problems worse.  I've tried Ambien CR, various OTC and herbal sleep aids, warm milk, chamomile tea, heavy blows to the head with a frying pan (joking), but all I seem to do is just lie in bed and wait for *something* to happen.  Pre-op, I was a noon-midnight person, but I was still sleeping much better than I am now. 

I'm wondering if anyone else is/was in a similar situation, and what worked best.  Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated; I'm growing weary of being tired and grumbly around the wife due to the lack of sleep.

Thanks in advance to anyone that may have some insight...

Craig (Sleepless in SD)

Congratulations on having the tumor removed successfully.  I too had a partial nephrectomy (right side as well) on 6/2.  This past Friday was the first night I actually climbed into bed and slept through the night.  Prior to Friday and after surgery, I was lucky to catch 2 hours tops all day.  I know what you mean by just laying there waiting for something to happen.  I was exhausted but couldnt find restful sleep.  The only way I was even somewhat comfortable was by sitting straight up on the couch and putting my feet on a pillow on the coffee table.  I couldnt lay on either side as I have a 12" incision on my right and sleeping on the left made it feel as if I was stretching out the incision.   All I can say is when you feel tired, go relax.  Don't worry about the time of day, just get relaxation when you can.  I think half of my problem was that I was so emotional after the surgery I couldn't relax well enough no matter how tired I felt.  I'm still very emotional (cry at the drop of a hat) and my family doc says that it's perfectly normal (easy for him to say...I cried watching Judge Judy this morning) and it will pass.  I hope this helps you, God Bless and Good Luck in your recovery.

I'm a bit ahead of both of you (open right partial on 5/21).  I still have trouble sleeping on my nice firm mattress but I can sleep quite comfortably on my soft cushiony couch.  It seems to put almost no stress on the incision on the right nor on the pinched nerve on the left thigh.

I started walking on day six (just 1/2 mile, but it was a start) and I find the more I walk the more everything eases up.  I sleep better and just seem to be more streched out.  I'm doing 2 miles on most days and I feel better for the rest of the day.  

 

I am eight weeks out and just started sleeping more than three to four hours at night. The difference happened when I switched pain meds. Can't go without them. Family asks "did you take your pain pill?" so I know I still need them. Doc said sleep probs are normal for quite a while post op and that it is normal to need pain meds to sleep. Kind of felt like he gave me permission to hurt and to heal at my own pace. Take it easy, don't push too much so that you don't prolong your healing. Take care.

Hi there,

Congratulations on a successful surgery.  My husband had a radical right neph. 7 years ago.  The first few nights he slept in his recliner as it allowed him to position himself up.  Then, we rigged up some pillows at the head of the bed so he could sleep in a more upright position.  He was more comfortable sleeping in his own bed, even if it was in an awkward position.  As he got better, we reduced the number of pillows so that eventually, he was lying in a more normal position.  He was off of pain meds in a matter of days except for Tylenol.  He does have, however, an incredible pain threshhold.  

 

Wynette

Wow When i read this i thought i was reading about myself.  The sleeping that is.  I had SSC large tumor of larynx but like yourself it was the primary and had not spread anywhere.  I went through radiation and erbitux and so far so good been almost two years on that one.  Then following year had paillary cancer of the throid and had surgery on that and removed total had one lymph removed also and took the RAI treament.  but the sleep thing know exactly what you mean.  You try and try to go to sleep and it is so bad i talk to myself all the time so i sleep better i notice from about 5am to 11am sometimes i will sleep alot longer but it is horrible.  i have taken lunesta amiben and nothing.  and then i have to be careful because of the synthroid from the throid i have to take.  i feel like the frying pan to sometimes.  lol.  i still have some pain in my throat.  and face all on side that the tumor was on.  Take care and i will send you some sheep to count.  lol.  If you find out anything that works please let me know.  johelen

Hi, I am 54 and we caught my tumor by surprise and had a partial on my left side back on Feb 10th. I had difficulty sleeping in my bed after I came home. I was always uncomfortable and would only get a few hours of sleep at a time. Your body is going to need some time to recover. I found it easier to sleep in a recliner with a foam cover added on top of it. Eventually I got to the point where I slept for 4 hours in the recllner and than went to bed for the next 3 hours. For the last two months I have slept in my bed. I used to be a night owl. Now I am in bed by 11. Things will get better. Ken

I am 10 weeks post op and sleeping much better now, although I wake myself up if I have rolled onto my operation side. I have an electric bed due to back problems and this was an absolute God-send post op. It meant that I could sleep upright (similar to the recliners so many people seem to use) but in my own bed. I still adjust it now according to how much pain I am in. Worth every penny!!