Pillow and neck pain. : I found this... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

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Pillow and neck pain.

Crattfibro profile image
27 Replies

I found this site by typing in "what is the best pillow for fibromyalgia and neck pain". This was a nice surprise so of course I joined. The info on neck pain and pillows was a couple years old though. With technology changing at such a fast pace I thought it would be a good idea to ask the question again.

I was diagnosed 5 years ago. It took me almost 2 years of worse sleep to learn to sleep on my side instead of my stomach and I still have not found a pillow or a position that comfortable. now I'm lucky to get 5 hrs one stretch.

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Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro
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27 Replies
goldilocks54 profile image
goldilocks54

i have the same problem that i dread going to my bed .im like a spinning top every nite and get exhausted . im worn out and depressed and all i want is a decent few hours restful sleep. gp wont give me sleeping pills .ive been on pregabalin tramadol gabapentin etc you name it ive had it .plus co-drydamol and anti -depressants . i try to be positive and pace myself but i feel like im being pulled into a black hole .

RubyLoves profile image
RubyLoves

Oh My, all that time you've been suffering and I've only been diagnosed 4 weeks ago by neuro!!

I sleep on my front but saw the physio last week and she said to try and sleep on my side as although the pain is widespread, mine is unbearable at times down the back of my head, neck and across shoulders. I've got a fairly soft-ish pillow at the moment with a thinner, firmer one underneath.

I do take medication at night for another condition and it completely knocks me out so I do get a solid 8/10hrs sleep. The neurologist I saw put me on pregabalin, terrible stuff, I stopped taking it last week. I do start hydrotherapy in 2 weeks at my local hospital, I'm really hoping that helps, also use a heated wheat-bag, and Tens machine.

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro in reply toRubyLoves

Before fibro I couldn't go to sleep without laying on my stomach. Fibro changed that.

Suzie1964 profile image
Suzie1964

I have been sleeping or should I say trying to sleep by firstly getting a new memory foam mattress definitely helps even if only feels better when you are lying there awake however also use a pillow which I use either to put behind my back when lying on my side or I put between my knees and ankles to prevent them touching as this I have discovered causes extra sensitivity pain that wakes me in the night , for those of you who have kids its a bit like when we were pregnant and used pillow for support under bump to ease pressure hope that makes sense just experiment to see what helps

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance, I have pasted you a link to our mother site, Fibromyalgia Action UK which hosts loads of useful Fibro information: fmauk.org/

I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro in reply toTheAuthor

Thanks so much!

Oldbones profile image
Oldbones

I too have a house full of different types, sizes and shapes of pillows in the search of the holy grail of comfortable sleep. I have been known to bring one on holidays with me :-) I don't know about you all but I dread going on holidays as regarrs sleep the beds and pillows are always too firm for me and I get so stiff and sore. I dont tell many people but we sleep in separate rooms as I'm such a bad "sleeper" and he was exhausted (not that there's much sleeping going on as I toss and turn). We have a great relationship and it works for us. Incidentally my husband used to travel to Amsterdam every week with work and the hotel had a choice of pillow types. Since he was such a regular there they had a new one wrapped up of his preference waiting for him each time, now that's good service !

Beatlesfan profile image
Beatlesfan

Whenever I read a post I always try to relate but although I did with the pillow I couldn't recall the holiday or even a holiday. There must be something wrong with me!

Seriously though you cannot stress enough how important pillows are. I bought a wedge pillow with a memory foam top and have that under my normal pillow which worked quite well for my neck. However after changing the pillowcase on the wedge I was struggling with it and it looked a bit worn so I removed the top 1 inch layer of memory foam that was stuck on. My nights have been terrible since doing this and I toss and turn the whole night. So I have to get myself another one which are expensive but just goes to prove you can't be like normal people or save money with this damned disease.

MariaT4 profile image
MariaT4

Maria4

I too have tried every pillow under the sun and stars. I haven't found one yet that I would recommend. I find most of them make me sweat so much I have to chuck them out of the bed after a couple of hours. I'll have a look at the link The Author sent earlier to see if there's anything I haven't tried. I appreciate reading these messages because at least I know other sufferers understand what you are talking about when you mention all these different pains. Family and friends try but just can't understand the pain. It's true what Beatlesfan says in previous post, you can't save money, it's spending out all the time in hope of some pain relief, one way or another. I'll try to be a bit more positive next time. Another one of those bad days we all have.

9661 profile image
9661

I was diagnosed about twenty years ago now, like you all I can not remember when I didn't toss and turn all night with pain. I would love to just sleep, I have had four children two normal births two sections so I know what pain is but never have I had a constant pain like I do now. my knees, hip, neck, shoulders and hands Are in constant pain I can't even pull the covers up with my hands the pain is so intense I am currently on the sick from work and can't see me going back there is no way I can stand the hours I have to in work. Struggling so much with pain, and debt, and worry there is no help out there I had all my benefits taken off me still fighting to get something back but it has got me in debt with my rent and they want to take my house of me how bad do you have to get before they help you. sorry for the moan just need some relief.

1TeiaMarie profile image
1TeiaMarie

Has any of you tried (I don't know the name but) it's square fluffy around the sides with a lower middle and a low part for the neck so when you are on your back your head rests in the middle like hole and the sides are a little higher so when you roll on your side your head and neck are still held in line with your body. I guess it just keeps you in line if you're on your back or side! I use that and it helps a lot with neck and shoulder pain don't get me wrong the pain never goes away but it helps!

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro in reply to1TeiaMarie

That sounds like it would help me. If anyone can identify this pillow, I would really appreciate you letting me know what it is.

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro in reply to1TeiaMarie

I like the idea of this pillow a lot! Does anyone else know about it here?

1TeiaMarie profile image
1TeiaMarie

Found it it's the tri-core pillow! I just googled it and the picture came up with the name I would add a picture but I haven't figured out how to do that!

liz123 profile image
liz123

Hi,

I have big problems with my neck and bought a pillow from America from a site called Arc4life.com. It has worked for me but was a bit expensive. It has a hollowed out part for your head and a neck support too. It's the best I have found and have tried many many types of pillow.

Take a look

Lizzie xx

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro in reply toliz123

That looks like exactly like how it was described. Thanks so much! If it helps it's worth the price. Here's hoping you have a good nights rest.

1TeiaMarie profile image
1TeiaMarie in reply toliz123

That's the pillow! I love mine, hope it helps! Also I sleep with lots of pillows around me I'm thanking of getting one of those pregnancy pillows (the long one to wrap around me where I need the support) I already have a very expensive bed with a thick pillow top! Hope all this helps!!

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro in reply to1TeiaMarie

I have the expensive bed with the pillow top but it's 12 years old. I put a 3" memory foam pad on it last year. That with a dense but fairly flat (3-4") feather pillow between my legs works well unless it's a bad day with too many hours on the memory foam. I'm hopeful this will be the pillow to do the trick. Thanks!!

Starrie profile image
Starrie

dunelm.com/product/white-ba...

I have bad shoulders and neck from my fibro and it took 6 years for me to get diagnosed.. But even before I was diagnosed I started using one of these pillows. You can use either side, to give proper support to your neck when on your side or back!

I would also recommend a mattress with springs and a memory foam top. It gives all the support of a normal matters but the extra comfort of the memory foam :) especially if (like me) you have very sensitive skin and can feel springs in beds!

I hope this helps :)

Starrie x

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro

Thanks! I'll check it out.

Fibromepainless profile image
Fibromepainless

Hi Crattfibro, . Sounds hectic, but it really is, We are suppost go to bed and relax , everyone that has the pain in the neck probably screaming at this message, but I totally know where you are, I tried the tummy, I tried my side, I try the other side, im now sick off not getting comphy , I think I have had the Fibromyalga three or more year , diagnosed early this year, Honestly it is Murder, isn't it. ! The last week or so I bought myself a V shaped pillow and heh they are GOOD, ,Put a normal pillow first then that pillow on top, Heaven, My shoulders have eased a good bit. xx

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro in reply toFibromepainless

I wouldn't have thought of that. Sounds like good advice. I will definitely do that with my regular pillow on top. Thanks!

Guccigirl profile image
Guccigirl

Hi all

I would like to share the fact that it was not a pillow that helped me but a soft collar!

I bought it from complete care, it's soft filled with little beads( same as travel pillows)

It has helped me tremendously , I now still sleep with two pillows, orthopedic ones from Dunlop ! And my little collar...

What I will say is wear it back to front so beads are all around your neck, also get a bit of tubi grip to cover the fastening as its quite hard!!

Best sleep I had in a while guys. I have now realized if you can get a support for it , wear it! I have them for ankles, knees, wrists and neck! I was at point of doing anything and my hubby says..... Don't care if it's like return of the mummy when I go to bed if I can get some sleep.

Also noticed someone had commented on seperate beds!! I agree totally ! My poor husband was not getting any sleep as he moved as soon as I moaned! It's not fair and ver selfish if you have the use of a second room and you don't use it!!!

I'm disabled through all sorts of differentiated tissue diseases and can't work, therefore I have the luxury of sleeping during the day if I want, mu husband doesn't .

We have a very close loving relationship and have been married 32 years, if started to sleep in spare room to give him some peace as I require help we use a baby monitor and he can come help me!

We still have a relatioship in every way!!! I get to decorate a room as girly as I want with all my bits and pieces to help me, table over bed to do anything I want, arm with connection for my book( don't need to hold iPad or kindle...

I guess what I'm saying is... Your partner needs sleep too so if you have the room use it, don't listen to people who say something must be wrong! It is !!! You have fibro that's all.

Sorry such a rant guys , but it really annoys me when people judge out of their own small mindedness

Hope you all get a sleep

Gucci girl

xshazx66 profile image
xshazx66

dunelm do pillows for people who sleep on left/right or back think it cost me 9.99 but best pillow I've had in a long time, give one of them a go xx

Crattfibro profile image
Crattfibro in reply toxshazx66

Thanks!

HeatherJones profile image
HeatherJones

It is a similar kind of problem with one my sister also. But as she is pregnant so she has to spend much restless nights for this issue. Can you suggest best pregnancy pillow to get rid of this pain?

Dijon6 profile image
Dijon6

HI All, with regards to a good pillow, I can’t tell enough people about it, the online company is Mitre the pillow is called Comfort Ultraloft pillow, it is firm but soft.... it is amazing! Cheers

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