Can anyone recommend a good pillow

keldi
keldi Member Posts: 53
edited 8. Aug 2011, 07:39 in Living with Arthritis archive
I am having trouble sleeping at the moment as I am getting tiny little stabbing pains in my neck and shoulders when I lie down at night. This usually comes and goes, but I have had it for about a week now with no relief. I have tried, hard pillows, soft ones, memory foam, V shaped pillows and a combination of them all. My bedroom looks as if it is inhabited by someone with a pillow fetish. I have even tried sleeping in a semi sitting position.
Can anyone suggest something else I could try? If I get a decent nights sleep I feel more able to cope with the challenges the OA brings the following day. Hubby says that I am working my way through the names of the 7 dwarfs. I have been, Sleepy and Grumpy already this week and I just want to be Happy.

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I sleep with one memory foam, wrapped in a towel, under me bonce, and another between my knees, running from ankle to - ahem - groin. That alleviates some of the strain on the lower joints and hips, and oddly enough, I think it helps the upper ones too. Pillows are not the wholoe answer though, pain dullers can help too. I take some of whichever variety are needed about half-an-hour before settling, and more during the night if required (and if the timing allows - if it dosen't then breathing and distraction techniques come into play.) I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,838
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Keldi

    l have a memory foam one which is shaped.....has a dip in it for your head so the spin stays in the correct position at night. This is the third l think l have had and l LOVE it!

    Initially l didnt get on with it, but persevered after a particularly bad bout of neck agony and it (apart from my meds (kids and hubby) is the ONLY thing l will not forget to pack :wink:

    Love

    Toni xx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have a pocket sprung pillow very good, but very expensive at £25 a pop!!
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Keldi

    Mine is a shaped memory foam one. Very expensive but the best option I have found to date. Did take a bit of getting used to but I take it everywhere with me now (well not literally everywhere but you know what I mean... :lol:) Sounds as if you have tried all sorts already without much luck - I wonder if a physio could recommend something appropriate for your particular neck issues?

    Good luck!

    Tilly xxx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Like Tilly, Toni & DD, I would not be without my shaped memory foam one because before I got it I used to regularly wake with really bad neck pain. However, if you've tried one, to no avail, what about your mattress? If it's not supporting you properly around the neck, a memory foam pillow won't correct what's under it especially if, like me, you have someone 6-7 stones heavier lying beside you. A good, supporting mattress is the first pre-requisite of a good night's sleep. Ours is deep sprung with a top layer of memory foam and heaven.

    Frogmorton - Could you advise me on the best way to pack kids and husband, please??? It would have saved on so many back-of-car arguments when our lads were young.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright