How do you sleep? - Foot Problems Message Board

DaleZ · 08-16-2007, 10:19 AM

How do you sleep?

One month ago I fractured my left calcaneus. Had ORIF, plate and screws installed. Still swollen and still hurts 24 7 but I have learned to live with it.
Stopped the narcotic’s after the second week cause they made me sick as a dog! Tried some Ibuprophen then read where it is considered a Non-steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drug and it can inhibit new bone growth. So I just gave up on the drugs and just live with it.
But I am becoming exhausted. I haven’t sleep a full night since I got hurt and its beginning to take a toll on me.
I tried sleeping in the bed but can’t take the pain so I sleep in the recliner with my foot elevated as high as possible but the comfort level is not there for sleeping. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

dancergal19 · 08-16-2007, 10:38 AM

have you asked your Dr about trying another type of pain med? I was given percocet for my surgery and was fine but some people have to try 2 or 3 different types of pain meds before they find one that works for them. Also ask him about anti-nausea medication to go with the pain meds.

monster bunion · 08-16-2007, 11:58 AM

I am very familiar with the absolute misery it is to not be able to sleep for a long time. I had a cast on my foot for a long time, and my foot was uncomfortable because it would throb all the time and I had to keep it elevated. I don't like to take meds but I used a sleeping medication called Restoril and I used it sparingly when I was really desparate for sleep. It did help me get to sleep, but then the foot would wake me up because it would hurt in the middle of the night. You may want to ask your primary doctor if you could try a sleeping medication.

happyfoot7 · 08-16-2007, 12:07 PM

I can't remember the pain meds I used, but I sleep with about 6 pillows placed under my matress (not all on top of each other) which elevates my leg without me kickin them off in the middle of the night, I has helped make my sleeping more comfortable and reduces the swelling quicker.

Go back to the Doctor and ty other pain meds, if you aren't sleeping enough that may also inhibit the bone growth rate!

cosmic1 · 08-16-2007, 12:40 PM

I have worked as an RN on a rehab floor in the past.
DarvocetN worked very well on pain for patients.
It has Tylenol in it therefore it does not have any Advil type of chemicals.
It is a mild narcotic.
I found that Tylenol worked much better on my bone pain that Advil type products.
Really ask for the Darvocet.
My mother-in-law had a total shoulder replacement a year and one half ago.
She requested the Darvocet and felt that it gave her good relief.
My story is that I had two foot reconstructions and used the Percocet and Vicodin for the first two days and threw up.
The foot pain and then the throwing up made me want to do myself in.
It was more than I could handle.
Once I started the Darvocet, I had some nice relief.
I think it is a forgotten drug. I requested it for my foot reconstructions because of my history with it.