Slept in recliner chair for 3 years

Perhaps if you start in bed by propping yourself semi-prone with lots of pillows and gradually lower over time to a normal sleeping position?

Probably got weak back muscles. I would book an osteopath for consultation £55+ get their opinion on strengthening your muscles, if they think you need a scan they should tell you ( mine did). Good luck getting a good night’s sleep in your own bed.

Maybe speak to your doctor about this?
At least get your back checked out ...
I think you should really (gently) transfer back to bed.
I have arthritis and sometimes need pain relief in the night.

You know that sleeping in a chair has become a "habit" now. Be kind to yourself transitioning back - I think in time it will be a good idea.

Is your bed a "good" one?
Does it need a topper?

Is your bed upstairs ? If so can you rearrange your house so your bed is downstairs?

If it's downstairs you can try getting on to it , while you have the energy,so you lie on your side. This would be just to have a rest and try getting on to the bed.

It sounds to ne as if you need help from the occupational therapist for these practical matters. And of course you need to see GP about your sore back.

Two of my friends did what you do. They slept on chairs while their beds went unused.

My sister-in-law has a bed which has three sections (rather like a hospital type bed) The head section can be made more upright as can the third section, so it, possibly, will mimic the position of the recliner chair. You could then gradually lower the top third gradually until you either get to a level you are comfortable with or completely flat.

I know someone who sleeps in a recliner chair because it helps with his breathing. Also, many years ago, my grandfather had to sleep propped up because of breathing problems caused by emphysema.

If your back is supported properly in your chair I don't see why it should be a problem.

Thanks all for your comments which I’ve taken on board. I have just ordered a bed reclining frame that you can adjust from upright to lower down. Hoping that will allow my body to adjust.

As it’s just when I’m lying on my back it hurts, I have a lower back support cushion which has a band you can attach to a chair. I’m going to try and put the band round my waist so if while I’m asleep I stray on my back, the cushion will prevent it.

Cardashian123 - I do hope something helps and allows you to get a good night's sleep.

I've had terrible problems sleeping through the night in bed. I wake up, and come downstairs to read, and then fall asleep on the floor or in a chair.

I spoke to a GP, asking for help with getting more sleep, and he offered to prescribe a small number of sleeping tablets to help me sleep through. I was a bit dubious about this, I didn't want to rely on drugs to get to sleep.

Long story short - I used 5 out of the 7 tablets I was prescribed, did not become addicted, and I stopped waking up in the night. The insomnia hasn't settled down completely, but getting more sleep is definitely helping.

I would go and see a really good physiotherapist. Ask around for recommendations from friends and family. It's amazing what can be done. I'm proof of it.

I do empathise with you, I broke my arm a while back and tried every bedroom in the house but couldn't get comfortable and ended up propped up on the sofa with umpteen cushions, with my legs on a footrest, it was horrible, seemed like an eternity, in actual fact only a couple of weeks, but I was very glad to be able to go to bed properly again, although I don't particularly sleep well anywhere these days. I'm so sorry for your discomfort maybe as albertina suggests above, see if you could be referred to a physiotherapist. Good luck I hope things improve for you.

I’ve got into the habit of just falling asleep on the sofa watching tv and I’m sure it’s caused problems with my back as I have a bad posture anyway. Going to see an osteopath next week.If I was rich I’d see my osteopath every week.

I would suggest investing in an adjustable bed. Upright at first then gradually move to nearly flat.

Someone above suggested that you prop yourself to "semi prone". Totally wrong. Supine is on your back - prone is on your front.

I bought a recliner bed, after trying propping on pillows didn't work, I always seemed to end up sliding down pillows ending up in a heap at the bottom of the bed. The recliner bed is perfect, you could start of with it higher and then gradually reduce reduce the height to what is manageable for you.

love my recliner bed. Bought it just over 4 yrs ago as had breathing problems and couldn't sleep flat. So had a back sleeping pillow, and with both ends of the bed raised I was very comfortable. Now also have gastro problems so must sleep on my left side, but can do this upright enough it does not affect my breathing.
Well worth every penny, though I did buy second hand and removed the outer cover and washed it and aired the foam in the middle.
Lets you adjust to any angle and should suit everybody.

PamQS

I've had terrible problems sleeping through the night in bed. I wake up, and come downstairs to read, and then fall asleep on the floor or in a chair.

I spoke to a GP, asking for help with getting more sleep, and he offered to prescribe a small number of sleeping tablets to help me sleep through. I was a bit dubious about this, I didn't want to rely on drugs to get to sleep.

Long story short - I used 5 out of the 7 tablets I was prescribed, did not become addicted, and I stopped waking up in the night. The insomnia hasn't settled down completely, but getting more sleep is definitely helping.

I always thought I had insomnia so tried not going to bed until I'm really tired. This was always after 1am. So now I don't go to bed until 1am and read until I'm sleepy which is about 2am. I now get a great night's sleep of 7 or 8 hours straight through getting up between 9 and 10. It's not ideal but is my natural pattern of sleep and I can't run it back to going to bed at 11pm or 12am. I've tried many times but then I'm awake until 4am or 5am. So I've just accepted it's the way it is. If I have to get up early, for an appointment or anything, I just nap in the afternoon. HTH someone.

Physio, physio,physio. Then Pilates classes

I agree with the comments made by Grans. Just wanted to suggest that you also take care of your skin integrity, especially when sleeping in chairs as your pressure points are not evened out as they would be when lying flat. Certainly compromised skin and subsequent pressure damage requires good monitoring and prevention where possible. Good look with your transition to sleep comfortably in your bed 😊

Yes, Sazz1, that is exactly what has happened to me. Now, I read until 1 or 2am, then sleep until I wake. Works perfectly for me.

How awful for you. Go along with someone to the doctors to explain your situation and tell them it’s intolerable. They should come up with some creative solutions to help your situation.

Works for me too- sleeping 2 to 10. The problem is that I find it hard to day-time nap so I have to ask for late morning onwards appointments or just go tired all day.

Back on adjustable chairs - my late husband was in a care home and insisted on sleeping on his and he ended up getting the most awful ulcer on his behind.

The adjustable beds are far better. I have one, with a mattress topper, and am trying with a good measure of success to lower the head end gradually now that my gastric issues are more or less under control, and my feet and legs are swelling up!
( It never ends, does it? 😉 )

Enjoy your bed Cardashian!

Is the mattress on your bed noticable softer or harder than your reclining chair?

If so, this may be the cause of the back ache if you lie on your back.

The old fashioned remedy for a mattress that is too soft is a board under it. A mattress tht is too hard is more difficult to adjust. You could try with a folded quilt on top of the mattress.

If either of these solutions work then a new mattress is indicated.

Can you accustom yourself to not turning onto your back during the night, but to sleep on whichever side is most comfortable?

Maybe getting a new mattress for your bed will help. I think Dreams have a number of different mattresses or get one which you can recline upwards

Cardashian123

After I broke my ankle 3 years ago and was laid up for months, rather than the faff of making my way to my bed, I slept on my recliner instead.

Unfortunately I got so used to it when I was mobile again, I carried on. I’ve tried my bed a few times but end up waking up when I land on my back as I have chronic lumbar pain (probably all the years in the chair didn’t help.)

I don’t know what to do as I’m starting to not sleep well in the recliner either. Any ideas please?

I have slept in mine now for 13 years ... The pain in my back got so bad and I became unable to turn over in bed, and then couldn't get out of it without help.

Social services didn't like it, and gave me a hospital bed, which frankly made things far worse as I slipped down it and could barely move in the mornings. SS then gave me 'their' riser recliner. It's called a Configura chair and obviously can be configured to you. It supports my back and I can 'almost' lie down in it, but need to sleep slightly upright due to gastric issues.

Regardless, I haven't slept well for years, made worse by the death of my daughter ... I take around 30 pills every night, but I now just accept it, and I rarely come round before 11am when my carers come and wake me up!

I wish you luck, but a visit from an OT may be in order if your bed recliner doesn't do the trick?