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Can anyone suggest best sleeping position?

Latte profile image
32 Replies

I am having difficulty sleeping, usually wake up every hour to hour and a half. Bought v-pillow. Still same. Any suggestions?

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Latte profile image
Latte
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32 Replies
Nik37 profile image
Nik37

Hi I've propped my head of the bed up with wood and I'm sleeping much better :) was same as you .

It might help if you could describe the circumstances - ie, are you breathless, or coughing....

I find sleeping in an upright position helps when I've a chest infection .... other than than, I'm okay - that's when I can get over to sleep.

phillips1 profile image
phillips1

I always sleep in a reclining chair and it seems to be ok 'cos I can get to the right angle for me. Bob

chellshock profile image
chellshock

I have to sleep with a wedge pillow and a v pillow, can no longer lay flat

cuddles64 profile image
cuddles64

Hi, well, it depends on how many pillows you have, type of pillows you have and the condition of your illness, breathing. With me, I find I have two medium plump pillows and a bolster pillow that runs the width of the bed, (double) and I find the recovery position with my left arm under top pillow and my right arm across my chest and my right leg brought up and across my left straight(ish) leg helps for me, although I do have a slight RLS in my right leg. I suggest just trial and error of all things really, also in case you're not aware, don't drink any hot drinks an hour before going to bed. Good luck......Oh I usually find I can sleep for about 3 to 4 hours before I awake.

Latte profile image
Latte in reply to cuddles64

I Will try no Hot drink an hour before sleep. thanks

Latte profile image
Latte

I have emphesema and respiritory bronchilitis interstitial lung disease. i wake up unable to breathe. nose completely dry and blocked.

cofdrop-UK profile image
cofdrop-UK in reply to Latte

Have you tried using Neilmed or Sterimar to clear out your nose at all Latte?

cx

in reply to Latte

If you are waking because nose is dry and blocked I would suggest same as cofdrop. But if you are waking unable to breath even with mouth breathing I think you need to speak with your doc about your symptoms.

maruth profile image
maruth in reply to Latte

Latte,i use oxygen,so i,too, get a dry nose,but i was advised to use a small amount of KY jelly.it works well.....

Latte profile image
Latte in reply to maruth

i dont use oxygen. has never been suggested. should i be on as standard or is this something that they will doc or hosp advise me i need at some stage?

coughcough profile image
coughcough in reply to maruth

Thanks for this tip, maruth. I have moderate emphysema and I don't use oxygen, but my nostrils are alway dry, and I wake up (when I can sleep) with closed nostrils where they have stuck together, if you know what I mean.

I was thinking of trying vaseline, but KY sounds brilliant.

Thanks for that . . .

maruth profile image
maruth in reply to coughcough

just smear a small amount just inside each nostril ,it gives wonderful relief.

happy wakening ,coughcough, x

jandan profile image
jandan

Latte try using an Olbas oil inhaler or something similar just before you go to sleep since using one I have had some good nose clear sleeps :)

Latte profile image
Latte

I use both oil On pillows and noSe inhaler. I have foam pillows medium i think. 3 and then v pillow. tried all combinations.

in reply to Latte

Try to determine what causes you to wake every hour or so. Is the back of your throat collapsing? Is your breathing impaired? are you having trouble with mucus etc.

Some have found a wedge pillow helps.

If your throat is collapsing (could indicate sleep apnoea) or you have to clear mucus too often during the night, I would check in with your doc for either situation.

Puffthemagicdragon profile image
Puffthemagicdragon

I have very severe emphysema and guess what ? I'm the odd one again. I sleep as normal. Laying down flat with two pillows

in reply to Puffthemagicdragon

My husband too! When he is well he is fine with two pillows laid down - if he is ill then that's a different ball game. I know when he is not well or starting with something - he can't get comfortable with the pillows! xx

You could try a mattress tilter, it goes under the head of your mattress and raises it by about 5". Available from spinalproducts.co.uk

Alternatively the same company make a "bed relaxer" which is a wedge which you put under your normal pillows

I've tried various items from this company and they're very good. You can buy them "ex VAT" if you tell them what your health problem is - they'll send you a form which you complete and return.

ff x

Latte profile image
Latte in reply to

iill look into thanks

I sleep poorly forever waking - then needing loo, and my nose is always stuffy and blocked, but i bought an air purifier a little while ago and i have it on low all night and since using it I am getting an extra hour or so before waking. Not sure if it is the air quality or the gentle whirring sound that is making me sleep better. I too have pillows propping me up and one for my between knees and also down each side of be for my arms. (but they are for my RA)

Anna

Latte profile image
Latte in reply to

was it recommended to you? i wondered about them but so many and not cheap.

in reply to Latte

No not by any one medical, but a friend with asthma has one and said it helps, i have emphysema and asthma so my mum bought me one. And i would not be without it now. It draws dust etc in and pushes cleaner air out, I think it is brilliant (mine is a homedics one from argos £99. ) I move it around the house - like if i am hoovering . there was a post on this site about them and i have copy pasted what Jo from BLF helpline says :

(Jo_BLFHelpline BLF 23 Apr 2013Report

Hi nutella

Unfortunately there is no research on the benefits of using products like air purifiers, so buying a product like this can be difficult as there are so many different ones out there. Certainly having pets in the home can cause problems if the person has an allergy to pet hair and it triggers breathing problems.

Cheers )

The only thing I would say is do not clean filter indoors, as it will let all the particles back in your house. hope this helps in your decission - Anna

Latte profile image
Latte in reply to

as i thought not cheap... :-(

Lizzyblue profile image
Lizzyblue in reply to

I have one upstairs and down

I've only got relatively mild asthma so clearly much less of a problem than what you're coping with, but for me, I sleep best using an orthopaedic pillow and making sure I keep my chest wide open, so I mean avoiding hunching my shoulders round when I lie on my side.

I also like to keep a window open, otherwise I wake up in the night feeling hot and bothered.

koala

moneal profile image
moneal

I used to suffer with lack of sleep, but when I changed the mattress for a foam one, the problem eased, now I have a pile of pillows and start off propped up, and wake up in the morning still lying on my back but further down the bed.

Sleeping on my side normally makes me feel like I am about to drown.

Some nights I do have to sit up and cough to clear the lump that just sits there just to annoy you. The mattress made the big difference, it also seems to have stopped the back ache I used to have.. I suppose the question is whether it is the type of mattress or the fact the old one had something in it that made me react.

Now the only one that suffers is my wife, she says I snore very loudly but I have laid awake for ages and I never hear it.

I think you should just ask the Doctor - if you are just waking up, then maybe try new mattress? But if you are waking up short of breath, then maybe you need to see Doctor - it might be the COPD, it might be a sleep disorder. Either way you must be exhausted. Maybe the helpline could offer some practical advise? Take good care. TAD xxx

Latte profile image
Latte in reply to

thanks. i am tired. i have mentioned to doc. he mentioned tablets but am not keen as got chest infection and managing to go into work..just...so dont want risk of not waking up.

Bumley profile image
Bumley

Hi Latte,

Like you, I wake several times during the night. I have also bought a V Pillow and in addition I recently invested in a electrically adjustable bed (just spoiling myself). None of this works and so I went to see my new GP and she first of all asked do I snore, to which the answer was yes (I am famous for it).

She is referring me to a Sleep Apnoea clinic and this weekend I am going for an endoscopy at a private hospital! Boy she is good, I cant believe how lucky I am to pick this new practice.

It might be worth talking to your GP.

regards

David

Latte profile image
Latte in reply to Bumley

I don't know if i snore.

Good luck with clinic.

Latte profile image
Latte

ahve a spring and memory foam king size mattress. will try a few of suggested positions and will speak to doc about it too.

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