POLL: Recliner sleeping and calf pain/discomfort

I frequently sleep in my recliner, but I notice after a while I get an aching in my calves. Does any one else experience this. I have tried putting a pillow under my calves and it still is uncomfortable.

I would see my MD asap because you could be running into the 'airplane' syndrome, where people being forced to sit for long hours develop thrombotic leg clots (which can become dangerous if they head for your heart). It's not a natural way to sleep and while some people do it, it's very important that you check with your MD to make sure you're not causing (or aggravating) problems. If the upper edge of the footrest digs into your calves either get another recliner or raise the head of your bed on blocks or with a wedge (and also avoid GERD by doing it).

Hi newyorknative

I frequently nap on my recliner, with the back about 30 degrees from vertical. This allows my head to roll back. I also use my oximeter to wake me up if I desaturate.

I do not use the recliner foot rest. Using the recliner foot rest tends to force my head forwards, and guarantees that I will have apneas as soon as I fall asleep.

The sitting position (with back reclining) allows me about 45 minutes event free sleep, and no problem with my legs.

So a possibility would be to not use the foot rest, if that is possible, and see if you can sleep comfortably with your feet on the ground.

cheers

Mars

Mars - you're full of great ideas most of the time, but this is not one of them (for the reasons I mentioned in my other post). It might work on occasion in a young, otherwise active person, but is not something to 'prescribe' as a rule.

A recliner is mandatory for me for normal sitting. The very slight recline takes the pressure off my back and the raised feet help with swelling. But all recliners were not created equal. I had one that did more harm than good to my legs due to pressure points. I've become a real recliner snob. Last time I bought one I must have sat in 50 before making a decision. Ironically, the lift chairs I've sat in were the absolute worst for my legs. Can you describe what you feel in your legs more explicitly? That could be helpful to your doctor in figuring out if there's a problem that needs further evaluation. As a side note, could your sensations be restless leg syndrome?

Julie wrote:Mars - you're full of great ideas most of the time, but this is not one of them (for the reasons I mentioned in my other post). It might work on occasion in a young, otherwise active person, but is not something to 'prescribe' as a rule.

Hi Julie

Thats why I said -

So a possibility would be to not use the foot rest, if that is possible, and see if you can sleep comfortably with your feet on the ground.

This does not minimise or invalidate in any way what you posted.

I should perhaps have acknowledged that I was talking about napping, and newyorknative was talking about sleeping, so what I posted may not be appropriate for sleeping.

By the way, I am thrilled to be equated with a "young, otherwise active person" given that I am nearly 70 and have more things wrong with me than I ever thought even existed. Oh to be young and active again

cheers

Mars

I am fairly sure that the problem with my calves is muscular, tendon or ligiment related. I don't thing a clot is the problem. I don't have PAD as I can walk all I want and not have pain in my legs.

kteague wrote:A recliner is mandatory for me for normal sitting. The very slight recline takes the pressure off my back and the raised feet help with swelling. But all recliners were not created equal. I had one that did more harm than good to my legs due to pressure points. I've become a real recliner snob. Last time I bought one I must have sat in 50 before making a decision. Ironically, the lift chairs I've sat in were the absolute worst for my legs. Can you describe what you feel in your legs more explicitly? That could be helpful to your doctor in figuring out if there's a problem that needs further evaluation. As a side note, could your sensations be restless leg syndrome?

...Have to agree w/ K...also do you take any statins for cholesterol ?...i kept having leg spasms & cramps from time to time. Doc said try CO Q 10 to conteract the simvastatin (zocor) . i was skeptical but tried. dagum if it didn't work for me... no more legs seizing up when climbing off the scoot .. ask your dr. first & good luck !

Blood clots are not always 'felt' at all. But I was talking about overnights, every night, not an occasional nap or sit down.

The simple answer is don't sleep in your recliner. Your bedroom should be ONLY for sleeping and one other private activity. When you head in there, your body should think sleep. Nap with your CPAP.

I go down stairs to the recliner because of nasal congestion.

If you are congested, have you tried turning down your humidifier? It's often responsible!

Yes, I have tried lowering the humidity but it doesn't help very much. But I can sometimes breathe better in the recliner.

I don't use a recliner at all.
I have yet to see one that fits my 4'10" frame.
I just feel like Lily Tomlin's 'Ruth-Anne' in a recliner.

I also had this problem and would get really bad shin splints in the right side only. It seems the problem was that i was sinking into the couch making my body lean to that side putting pressure on my hip. I simply switched to the other end of the couch taking pressure off that right hip ( I have a recliner at both ends of my couch.) After that the pain went away. I have also folded a towel and put it on my chair at the computer so that i would not roll to that right side as well. So far so good. I had been to doctor many times and also physical therapy for this but nothing seemed to work. Good luck in finding relief.