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Back pain due to cancer weight loss: Hard to get comfortable

Posted by barb2252 @barb2252, Apr 9 8:18am

My cancer has caused a weight loss of 30 lbs.. I now weight around 100 lbs. and am 5 foot tall. Needless to say, I do not have much “padding” on my body. I am having problems with my tailbone area, and back sitting and laying in bed at night. Numbness and pain that cause me to wake up. I have a U-shaped memory foam seat cushion recommended for people with tailbone pain but it doesn’t seem to work that well. It’s hard to get a good night’s rest if your waking up every few hours. Has anyone tired any other type of cushion or full bed pad to relieve this problem? I don’t want to keep buying cushions and pads that don’t work. Thanks for any input or advice.

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markymarkfl | @markymarkfl | Apr 9 9:04am

Sleeping in a hammock, at least for some catch-up naps, tends to reduce the pressure at any one point on my back

In a bed, sleep apnea is my worst enemy, and absolute worst when sleeping on my back. A T-shirt with a tennis ball or pool noodle sewn into the spine area might help you sleep more on your side, in case that relieves pain on other parts of your back. When sleeping on your side, a thin pillow between the knees may reduce pain in the lower back.

Another aspect to consider is whether the pain (in bed) is actually at the tailbone itself, or in muscles and disc tissue nearby. A topical anti-inflammatory cream like Voltaren might be useful.

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1 reply
barb2252 | @barb2252 | Apr 9 9:29am
In reply to @markymarkfl "Sleeping in a hammock, at least for some catch-up naps, tends to reduce the pressure at..." + (show)
@markymarkfl

Sleeping in a hammock, at least for some catch-up naps, tends to reduce the pressure at any one point on my back

In a bed, sleep apnea is my worst enemy, and absolute worst when sleeping on my back. A T-shirt with a tennis ball or pool noodle sewn into the spine area might help you sleep more on your side, in case that relieves pain on other parts of your back. When sleeping on your side, a thin pillow between the knees may reduce pain in the lower back.

Another aspect to consider is whether the pain (in bed) is actually at the tailbone itself, or in muscles and disc tissue nearby. A topical anti-inflammatory cream like Voltaren might be useful.

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Thanks for your reply, you have some great suggestions. I had never considered my pain could be the surrounding muscles. The topical anti-inflammatory is a good idea.

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ashley2235 | @ashley2235 | Apr 10 6:46am

I also experience the same. Use the u shaped pillow in the car. And also find relief with a small heating pad while sleeping.

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ashley2235 | @ashley2235 | Apr 10 11:04pm

I do also want to add that sometimes what I thought was just back pain due to being super boney, is actually gas pains. If I experience the tailbone pain after eating certain foods I take gas-x and get a lot of relief. Just something to consider.

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