Sleeping: Sitting Upright

Verisure

Verisure

Senior Member
Oh gosh! I’ve got sleep apnoea, back problems (so I’m on the sofa rather than my bed), a pacemaker, frequent need for a bedtime “pee”, pnigophobia (panic attacks for fear of suffocating or choking), heartburn, and gastric discomfort. Yes, all of that! What it means is that I can no longer lie down to enjoy 8 hours of uninterpreted sleep and this has been going on for the last few years, getting increasingly worse. I’ve come to the point of getting maybe only 3 hours of sleep a night.

Two weeks ago, just after midnight, I was so frustrated that I put my fist down hard on my computer keyboard and smashed it. My wife didn’t understand what I was going through and she freaked out. I am always so tired, so much so that I fall asleep watching TV, eating my meals, riding the city bus, and even while contributing to this forum but it’s only for 5 or 10 minutes at best. Shit, I say! Shit! I can’t take it anymore.

Well, sometime last week I was sitting on a high-backed chair and I fell asleep, no surprise, but I woke some hours later feeling refreshed! Can it be?! Yes, and I've been going “to bed” on that chair ever since. What I want to know is if any of you have had the same experience and can give me some tips or warnings or whatever ….. Meanwhile, I am looking for a decent recliner to purchase. All comments from you will be very welcomed! :unsure:
 

Two words....Purple Mattress.

But really, I started napping in my recliner (bc I don't sleep well), and yeah, buddy, it is good sleep!

And it's not so much that this recliner is super-comfy, it's also that it has a massage feature. And it's really not so much the massage but the hum it makes.

So I say, forget social convention and sleep where you sleep well.
 
I have a recliner, which is very relaxing but I don't know if it will help with your problem. We are conditioned to having a room and a certain piece of furniture (a bed) set aside purely for the purpose of sleep. If sleeping in a normal bed doesn't suit you, why let it bother you? Do whatever helps you to sleep no matter how odd it seems. Many people have to sleep upright because of health problems, hiatus hernia for instance and acid reflux. You can buy specially shaped pillows which support you while sitting up.
 

When I had my accident, a tractor trailer ran over the top of my car, pretty much, I had I forget how many broken bones. The worse two was that both of my clavicles were broken. This forced me to sleep sitting in a huge chair they brought into my room. I wanted to buy it when I left the hospital, but it wasn't for sale. The nurse said they cost about $12,000. So what,. I can sleep in it. No way could I lie down without being in excruciating pain, even with the drugs they were putting into my body through an IV.

I was on pain killers for almost 7 months and then I ended up with an addiction, went to rehab and was detoxed and then sent to rehab, which I didn't need, but it was a nice 28 days vacation in Florida near my home. Other than having to sit in the most boring classes ever, I enjoyed it and met some good people trying to get off drugs. Some where even sent there by the court and the military.

If you can find one of those chairs, buy it. It also vibrates and heats. The bad part is that this chair is huge, so you need plenty of room for it.
 
My husband has A-Fib and sleep problems -- one which causes him to act out his dreams physically, I've been kicked and punched a few times in the middle of the night when the dog and I least expect it. After one of those events we look at twin beds and hospital beds online and never make a decision about it.

Meanwhile he sleeps about four hours in the recliner every night and then comes to bed for a few more.

Our recliner leans back a bit more than any of our others did and that makes it perfect for sleep.
 
I also have trouble sleeping - my blood sugar swings high & low during sleep & I often have to get up at 4:00am to either eat or take insulin. Plus, I'm always hungry. At least my back pain is mostly gone ever since I got a Tempur Pedic bed.
A recliner seems like it would help with your situation. At least you would be less likely to fall out of it; I'd be concerned with a chair.
 
Moon Rat said:
When I had my accident, a tractor trailer ran over the top of my car, pretty much, I had I forget how many broken bones. The worse two was that both of my clavicles were broken. This forced me to sleep sitting in a huge chair they brought into my room. I wanted to buy it when I left the hospital, but it wasn't for sale. The nurse said they cost about $12,000. So what,. I can sleep in it. No way could I lie down without being in excruciating pain, even with the drugs they were putting into my body through an IV.

I was on pain killers for almost 7 months and then I ended up with an addiction, went to rehab and was detoxed and then sent to rehab, which I didn't need, but it was a nice 28 days vacation in Florida near my home. Other than having to sit in the most boring classes ever, I enjoyed it and met some good people trying to get off drugs. Some where even sent there by the court and the military.

If you can find one of those chairs, buy it. It also vibrates and heats. The bad part is that this chair is huge, so you need plenty of room for it.
Click to expand...
I told you wrong. I looked it up and the chair is selling for about $6000. That's like half off of what I thought it was. I also forgot the chair has a built-in radio with headphone jack besides a vibrator and heater.
 
So sorry!
Can you check into non-evasive back surgery? Instead of opening up your back, they cut a 1/2 inch into
your back to insert the surgery tool.
Also, The number of sleep hours isn't important. What is needed is "deep restful alertness".
You might want to check into TM (transcendental deep meditation) to get the deep rest and
profound relaxation your body needs, plus so many other attributes if you must sit up straight.
Your pain is just as hard on your wife. Blessings to both of you.
 
Murrmurr said:
Two words....Purple Mattress.
Click to expand...
How many years have I been a member of this forum ... I don't remember ... but this is long-term Déjà vu. I remember you singing songs of praise for your Purple Mattress for many moons now. I have no doubt that you are right but that's an expensive ticket considering I've not been able to sleep in a prone position for such a long time. Yes, I realize that sleeping prone and badly is not the same as sleeping prone and well but I need some proof that it'll work for me before I shell out the clams.
Murrmurr said:
But really, I started napping in my recliner (bc I don't sleep well), and yeah, buddy, it is good sleep!

And it's not so much that this recliner is super-comfy, it's also that it has a massage feature. And it's really not so much the massage but the hum it makes.

So I say, forget social convention and sleep where you sleep well.
Click to expand...
I'm going to try that in order of importance: (1) a recliner (2) a recliner with a vibrator (3) a recliner and a Greek woman with a supply of grapes, and an alternative (3b) a woman from Bangkok without grapes.
 
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Lavinia said:
I have a recliner, which is very relaxing but I don't know if it will help with your problem. We are conditioned to having a room and a certain piece of furniture (a bed) set aside purely for the purpose of sleep.
Click to expand...
Yes, we have a large one but alas I haven't slept on it for nigh on two years. Lying on the bed for 15 or 20 minutes and you can ring an ambulance.
Lavinia said:
If sleeping in a normal bed doesn't suit you, why let it bother you? Do whatever helps you to sleep no matter how odd it seems. Many people have to sleep upright because of health problems, hiatus hernia for instance and acid reflux. You can buy specially shaped pillows which support you while sitting up.
Click to expand...
I guess I have no choice until further notice.
 
Pinky said:
We have a leather La-Z-Boy chair with a padded footrest that swings up when you recline in it. When I
had a really bad cold, I couldn't sleep lying down in bed. I was able to sleep in the recliner, comfortably.
Click to expand...
It seems to me that a recliner is the way forward for me until I get the root of "the problem" sorted out.
 
Moon Rat said:
When I had my accident, a tractor trailer ran over the top of my car, pretty much, I had I forget how many broken bones. The worse two was that both of my clavicles were broken. This forced me to sleep sitting in a huge chair they brought into my room. I wanted to buy it when I left the hospital, but it wasn't for sale. The nurse said they cost about $12,000. So what,. I can sleep in it. No way could I lie down without being in excruciating pain, even with the drugs they were putting into my body through an IV.

I was on pain killers for almost 7 months and then I ended up with an addiction, went to rehab and was detoxed and then sent to rehab, which I didn't need, but it was a nice 28 days vacation in Florida near my home. Other than having to sit in the most boring classes ever, I enjoyed it and met some good people trying to get off drugs. Some where even sent there by the court and the military.

If you can find one of those chairs, buy it. It also vibrates and heats. The bad part is that this chair is huge, so you need plenty of room for it.
Click to expand...
Jesus, Moon Rat! If I ever get into some really serious trouble I'm going to think about you just so I don't give up hope.
 
CallMeKate said:
I think you're definitely onto something there, @Verisure . I believe sleeping in a chair like that would help with the pnigophobia, heartburn/gastic issues, and apnea. If it helps you to sleep, I say go for it and I hope you'll be able to find a really great comfy chair.
Click to expand...
Thank you very much, Miss, Mrs, Ms. ..... aw, I'll just call you Kate!
 
Many people have insomnia issues because of medicines, rec drugs, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, irregular hours, and psychological habits. Unless one must take medicines for medical reasons, a wise course is to ween oneself from any drugs in order to achieve a normalized balanced homeostasis.

Due to medical internal viscera issues, I for decades have often slept semi sitting up. Also keeping one's head raised up more at night will reduce arterial pressures making brain strokes less likely.
 
win231 said:
I also have trouble sleeping - my blood sugar swings high & low during sleep & I often have to get up at 4:00am to either eat or take insulin. Plus, I'm always hungry. At least my back pain is mostly gone ever since I got a Tempur Pedic bed.
Click to expand...
That's me alright.
win231 said:
A recliner seems like it would help with your situation. At least you would be less likely to fall out of it; I'd be concerned with a chair.
Click to expand...
I agree with all of that.
 
Moon Rat said:
I told you wrong. I looked it up and the chair is selling for about $6000. That's like half off of what I thought it was. I also forgot the chair has a built-in radio with headphone jack besides a vibrator and heater.
Click to expand...
Hell, in that case, I'll buy two of them!
 
Gaer said:
So sorry!
Can you check into non-evasive back surgery? Instead of opening up your back, they cut a 1/2 inch into
your back to insert the surgery tool.
Click to expand...
I'm waiting for a magnetic whats-it-called scan before the doctors will be talking about surgery.
Gaer said:
Also, The number of sleep hours isn't important. What is needed is "deep restful alertness".
Click to expand...
THAT I am sure of.
Gaer said:
You might want to check into TM (transcendental deep meditation) to get the deep rest and
profound relaxation your body needs, plus so many other attributes if you must sit up straight.
Click to expand...
I'm not ready for that yet. I'm an agnostic.
Gaer said:
Your pain is just as hard on your wife. Blessings to both of you.
Click to expand...
Lol! :)
 
I have COPD/allergies and sleep apnea so I sleep in a recliner with the head set at about 45 degrees. The recliner reverts to a very comfortable chair in the daytime. Ever since my first cancer surgery, I have slept in the living room. Decided at that time that I did not want to be isolated to the back bedroom. Weird, I know, but I just accepted and went along with it. Fortunately I was and am still single, so so problems related to it. I am usually the last to go to bed, so it poses no problem for anyone else.
I have recently discovered that drinking a cup of fairly warm milk just before bedtime helps me get to and stay asleep. I was having a lot of trouble falling asleep before - also If I go to bed before midnight it helps. If I stay awake until after midnight, I get a second wind and have a real problem - takes up to 2 hours to fall asleep.
 
Alligatorob said:
That would be my choice, can I order from Amazon?
Click to expand...
Amazon is having grave difficulties with exports from the region The best grapes are from the northern part of Greece and there is some confusion about goods labeled "Macedonia". The problem stems from the fact that grapes from Thessaloniki are superior but the women from Skopje nag less and are preferred for that reason.
 
David777 said:
Many people have insomnia issues because of medicines, rec drugs, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, irregular hours, and psychological habits. Unless one must take medicines for medical reasons, a wise course is to ween oneself from any drugs in order to achieve a normalized balanced homeostasis.
Click to expand...
I don't even take aspirin unless I absolutely must.
David777 said:
Due to medical internal viscera issues, I for decades have often slept semi sitting up. Also keeping one's head raised up more at night will reduce arterial pressures making brain strokes less likely.
Click to expand...
Yes, I realize now that there is a definite advantage to sleeping with my head elevated ... the higher the better.
 

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