Hi all!
Sleep is important, especially for all of us dealing with this horrible pain. I’ve been struggling to get a comfortable good night sleep for 9 1/2 years, I cant due to left side ATN & GPN (glossopharyngeal neuralgia) and neck pain from a car accident.
I’ve tried about 30 pillows and haven’t found one that works well to support my neck and alleviate pressure off my shoulder/arm. I can’t sleep on my left side at all due to ATN & GPN, if I accidentally roll over to my left side during the night I wake up in excruciating pain. I also can’t sleep on my back. Sometimes I just end up on the recliner. My husband and I are in the market for a new bed, currently looking into adjustable memory foam and I’m still trying to find the right pillow.
Any bed or pillow suggestions? Or sleeping tips for that matter.
I really appreciate it!
Thanks!
Erica
HI,
I sleep in a recliner and have been for several years now.. I gave up sleeping in a bed because my face will swell and I get head pain and headaches when I wake up from it.....:((
I take ambien, although not everyone can.
How about trying a maternity pillow like this:
I use this for my neck and back. Love it.
Hi I use a chiro flow pillow, you fill it with water so you can have your preferred support. I find this helps support my neck, i can’t sleep anymore on my right side due to TN I also can’t sleep on my back so when I sleep on my left I put a light pillow between my knees this gives support and it also helps give your lower back support. Hope you are doing better and hoping you have pain free days.
Wow Min, I can’t believe your face swells if you sleep in a bed! That’s horrible!
Min said:
HI,
I sleep in a recliner and have been for several years now… I gave up sleeping in a bed because my face will swell and I get head pain and headaches when I wake up from it…:((
Thanks Lisa, I never thought about a maternity, that’s a great idea! I’ll be ordering one soon!
Lisa (iamrite) said:
How about trying a maternity pillow like this:
http://www.deluxecomfort.com/comfort-body-pillow-full-body-pillow-p…
I use this for my neck and back. Love it.
Thank you Sunshine! I’ll check out the Chiro pillow.
Sunshine said:
Hi I use a chiro flow pillow, you fill it with water so you can have your preferred support. I find this helps support my neck, i can’t sleep anymore on my right side due to TN I also can’t sleep on my back so when I sleep on my left I put a light pillow between my knees this gives support and it also helps give your lower back support. Hope you are doing better and hoping you have pain free days.
Erica. Look into Temperpedic pillows. They run about $150 Cdn they are a formed pillow giving you 4 sides to choose from. Also if you have a tendency to roll to one side you could place a body pillow so you will not roll in that direction
Good luck
Chippy
I have a dunlopillo latex pillow. Possibly the best i have ever had. They are approx £50 + in the UK,but probably get a cheaper latex elsewhere im sure.
Hello
Try a select comfort memory pillow . You can purchase online
Hi Erica,
I'm still trying different pillows and have the same problem except that I can only sleep on my left side. I bought a Sleep Number bed almost 20 years ago and I have been so happy with it. The great thing about it is that you can adjust the settings for firmness and therefore, if you need a little more support from time to time, you can easily make the adjustment. All in all, they really don't cost most than a high quality mattress and box spring set when you consider that they come with a 20 year warranty.
The newer models can have even more bells and whistles, so to speak. While they are admittedly much more expensive, my mother purchased her Sleep Number bed with an adjustable head and foot piece. It functions like a hospital bed in that she can raise parts of the bed to elevate her head or her legs at any given height. In the morning, she can press the buttons and the bed flattens out and looks like a regular bed.
You can always go into a Sleep Number store for a "fitting" basically they will work with you to find your ideal setting. The bed can also be purchased so that each side can have its own setting to fit the person sleeping on it. BTW - I don't work for Sleep Number or any of its affiliates!
I have been trying a cervical pillow that was very comfortable at first but then I felt like I needed more space so I have resumed using an older pillow for a while. I will try the cervical pillow again because I did read that it does take some getting used to.
Good Luck, I completely understand!
Cathy in MD
Thank you Cathy! Sleep Number is also on my list. I think having an adjustable bed would really make a difference especially for my neck and low back pain. I like the 20 year warranty too, didn’t know that. I appreciate the feedback. ~Erica
Good Luck Erica - I know a few people that have the TemPurdic beds but I personally found them to be rather hard. You should try things out though.
I like the idea of the deluxe body comfort pillows I have been reading about in this discussion. I'll be checking those out?
Thanks everyone and thanks Erica for a great discussion!
Cathy in MD said:
Hi Erica,
I'm still trying different pillows and have the same problem except that I can only sleep on my left side. I bought a Sleep Number bed almost 20 years ago and I have been so happy with it. The great thing about it is that you can adjust the settings for firmness and therefore, if you need a little more support from time to time, you can easily make the adjustment. All in all, they really don't cost most than a high quality mattress and box spring set when you consider that they come with a 20 year warranty.
The newer models can have even more bells and whistles, so to speak. While they are admittedly much more expensive, my mother purchased her Sleep Number bed with an adjustable head and foot piece. It functions like a hospital bed in that she can raise parts of the bed to elevate her head or her legs at any given height. In the morning, she can press the buttons and the bed flattens out and looks like a regular bed.
You can always go into a Sleep Number store for a "fitting" basically they will work with you to find your ideal setting. The bed can also be purchased so that each side can have its own setting to fit the person sleeping on it. BTW - I don't work for Sleep Number or any of its affiliates!
I have been trying a cervical pillow that was very comfortable at first but then I felt like I needed more space so I have resumed using an older pillow for a while. I will try the cervical pillow again because I did read that it does take some getting used to.
Good Luck, I completely understand!
Cathy in MD
Hi Erica,
I use a My Pillow. I have TN on my right side (of course the side I sleep on!). I the pillow online. It’s very comfortable, and the fill is easy to mold into the shape you need.
Metter said:
Hi Erica,
I use a My Pillow. I have TN on my right side (of course the side I sleep on!). I the pillow online. It's very comfortable, and the fill is easy to mold into the shape you need.
You may laugh....but the "Pillow Pets" pillows have saved my life both after surgery in the hospital and at home!! They are very soft on the head. I can't lay on my left side either, but every now and again it feels good to just lay the left side of my head on the pillow. LOL!
The adjustable bed we just purchased also helped.
I have a Tempurpedic topper on my bed, it's about 3" and allows me to sleep on my stomach. I've been looking at their "cloud" pillow for quite awhile, it is Tempurpedic pieces in a pillow, so it is bendable and shape-able. I've seen them at Bed Bath and Beyond for $99 and with 20% coupon makes it not too bad. Years ago, I bought one of their back supports at a estate sale up the street, two of them actually..not for my back, but for my face. I sleep with it with the concave side up if I'm on my side and the other side up if I'm on my back. Helps a lot, but still may get the "cloud".
I bought a memory foam pillow that has a cooling gel side. The pillow really supports my neck, and it feels so wonderful to lay down on the gel side of the pillow when my face is burning. I got the pillow at BJ's for less than $50.
Good luck with your quest!
Beth