Covid sleeping tips (upright)

[Scottishskifun]

Hey wondering if anyone had any tips on how to get to sleep upright?

Tested positive yesterday and not been good today got progressively worse as the day went on. Already spoken to NHS 24 and had a consult now on steroids (also usually have well controlled asthma). My blood oxygen levels drop when lying down to 93/94 (I have a oximeter) so I need to sleep upright.
Pillows aren't working! I'm already so wiped and fatigued and have no idea how I'm going to sleep!

Any tips? I want to avoid lying down and oxygen levels dropping to not a good state.

Do pillows at the sides not work? As in, behind you but also a couple under your arms both sides to prop you up. Sounds awful, hope you feel better soon

Just an idea, but what about sleeping on your stomach - do your oxygen stats drop if you do that?

I thought sleeping on stomach was good for treating covid?

Stats still drop if I'm on my stomach but not as badly. I also don't trust that I won't roll over in the night.

I think my pillows are too soft @busface999 but you reminded me that I still have my old pregnancy pillow which might help

Could you get comfortable on your sofa or an armchair? Do you have a recliner?

I've found a v shaped pillow over other pillows is the easiest way to stay more upright.

As others have said, try lying on your front. It takes pressure off your lungs. When I had Covid I found this comfortable as long as I was also surrounded by pillows.

If that doesn't work do you have a comfortable arm chair or something similar that you could sleep in whilst sitting up? Wrap yourself in blankets and sleep in a sitting position.

I hope you feel better soon. If you are worried about your oxygen levels please don't hesitate to seek further help.

Can you make a ramp of cushions / pillows / even a beanbag if you have one? Then put two pillows in a V shape on top of it. You want the V shape to be holding you in position. I do that for bad asthma nights, though I have a special wedge cushion that makes it easier - Amazon will deliver you one to more, if you can afford one it’s well worth the money.

Well that was a rubbish nights sleep!
Tried sofa and lying on my front but struggled.
I have a combo now of pregnancy pillow and my toddlers bean bag! 😂 Imso got a few hours in.

Yes I'm monitoring every few hours it's just when lying down that my oxygen levels dip but then I'm so tired and fatigued that all I want to do is lie down so it becomes a bit of a battle.

Trying to avoid hospital if possible (I'm 34 and have a young toddler). The oximeter is helping and hopefully the steroids will kick in soon as well

My DH propped himself up with my pregnancy pillow in bed or tried to nap in the armchair. He also was told to sleep on his stomach if he really needed to lie down

I have to sleep in a semi upright position .I use lots of pillows and find D roll ( half a circle) micro fleece covered rolls v helpful for behind my head and at me sides .

A firm pillow or another D roll ( I buy from Lidls when available ,but lots on line ) under your thighs /just above the back of your knees helps to prevent you slipping down .

Basically you need to create a nest ,in the absence of pillows a folded duvet helps .

I do hope you feel better soon

It's all about the mix of softness and firmness . I find the foam filled ones best but the Dunelm bolster cushion might be worth a look as well .

www.dunelm.com/product/duck-feather-bolster-cushion-pad-1000000591?defaultSkuId=20129644&gclid=CjwKCAjwr_uCBhAFEiwAX8YJgd_zDMOKWDJyOnBwlw_WTcgBUA1FJwxR5qgv5LNGi2l3oIvqIxn4HBoCPEAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07639QQ9Y/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?pf_rd_p=f388d75d-7ab7-4c34-b7db-4c9f2e822f57&th=1&pd_rd_wg=dXnHm&pf_rd_r=Y4KAX8MEY4NNA36HJ9HA&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTUxWQ0tSVDQ0Qk00JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjYwODYzMlFJU1FTUDVUOEYwRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODkxMjA4MkdJOVdZUEg0MFVDVyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&pd_rd_i=B07639QQ9Y&pd_rd_w=w5y9j&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&pd_rd_r=48914c25-b58b-406c-8337-22001dbcf139

66fit.co.uk/products/66fit-d-roll-cushion

I have cough variant asthma and quite often have to sleep upright because of uncontrollable coughing.

Do you have an armchair? I sleep upright in an armchair with pillows and tucked in with a duvet. Because of the coughing I can get 2-3 hours sleep (on a good night) rather than 0 in bed. The key is making sure your neck doesn't get stiff.

Not covid but a few years ago I had a really nasty chest infection and I had to sleep sitting up. I found the best way was to sit on the sofa lengthways, so my legs were up and then I would practically hug the rear cushions (it was kind of a half sitting up half being on my front position). It was literally the only way I could sleep for weeks, I also put something on the TV so i didn't constantly think about how I was in so much pain/how I couldn't sleep. The sleep wasn't great but it got me through!

Hope you feel better soon and get some rest!