Sleeping on AN Side

[wcrimi]

I sleep on my side to avoid/reduce snoring.  When I first came out of surgery, I felt reluctant to sleep on my AN side. I guess I was afraid I'd open up the stitches or damage whatever they did inside there.  As the months passed, I started sleeping on that side without major issue. 

However, every once in awhile I feel a very slight discomfort when I roll that side of my head over the pillow. It's sort of a pinching feeling like either a muscle or my skin is getting pinched by the titanium mesh or any other acrylic things they used to substitute for my original skull. It's not a sharp pain or anything. It's more like a quick pinch. Very rarely, I also feel the same thing if I rub my hand over the area, but then is disappears. It's not a major issue because it's so mild. I've sort of learned that if I roll over to that side to do it gently.

I was just wondering if anyone else has that experience.   

   

[CHD63]

Wayne .....

I don't remember whether you had translab, MF, or retro approach surgery ...... not that it necessarily matters with this issue.  I have had two retro surgeries (one on each side) and both times I experienced what you are describing for several months afterwards.  Usually it happened when I rolled over, but not when I lifted my head and placed it straight down on the surgery side.  For a long time after my first surgery 15 years ago I could not lie on my back without getting a headache, but that is no longer the case ..... thank goodness.  Now I usually sleep on my non-AN surgery side because that puts my deaf ear up and it is much quieter to sleep.

Clarice

[wcrimi]

Clarice,

I had retro about 10 1/2 months ago. 

It's funny because I do the same thing.  When I'm going to roll over to the AN side, I sort of lift my head and place it down now instead of actually rolling the head too.  Then I don't feel it.

It's not a major issue, but naturally I'd rather it went away.

Wayne

[Jim Scott]

Wayne ~

Although my incision healed perfectly, without complications, the side of my head that was operated on (my left) felt slightly 'sore' (to the touch) for months afterward and I was unable to sleep on that side.  The 'soreness' went away at about 9 months post-op.  I assumed this was the bone healing.  It's fine, now.  Since the 'soreness' disappeared, I've been able to sleep on it with no problem.   I think this is another instance of each AN surgery patent healing slightly differently.   

Jim 

[leapyrtwins]

Wayne -

my guess is your head is still recovering from the surgery.  In my case, I experienced numbness for at least the first 9 or 10 months post op, then soreness.  Some time close to the 2 year mark my head started to feel normal again.

Give it time; it should get better.

Best,

Jan

[wcrimi]

I'd love to know what it looks like in there...then again maybe not. 

[alicia]

I also have discomfort when laying on my AN side.  Not sure if it is muscle or other things in there like you said.  I can lay for a few moments on that side, but then end up rolling over and putting my good ear down...then I'm out!

[ilsemor]

Hello - I have a friend who suggested sleeping on a water pillow or a doughnut pillow so the incision is not rubbing on anything, has anyone tried any of these two?

[CHD63]

I have not tried a water pillow or doughnut pillow but with my wonkyheadedness issues, the thought of something moving under my head does not sound very relaxing to me.  A stable surface is much better for me.  ..... just a thought.

Clarice

[mellowrama]

I can barely lay my head down on the an surgery side....its sensitive and uncomfortable.  Glad to hear that it will likely go away over time.
m

[JerseyGirl2]

I didn't think I would ever be able to sleep on that side again for the rest of my life! I would try it very tentatively every so often, but it just felt uncomfortable. A little more than a year-and-a-half past my surgery, I can easily sleep on that side and I don't even give it a second thought. I'm sure that I've been doing it for some months now, but just haven't thought about it.

Catherine (JerseyGirl2)