Pillows

[GardeningDorset123]

What do you do about the number of pillows you use in bed .. I've managed to stop myself lying on my front..but any other advice gratefully received ..

[muddledme]

Hello GardeningDorset,

My neck always aches with two pillows, so I have put some old blankets and pillows under the matress at the bed head.

I have flattened out these blankets etc so they raise the bed head a nominal 45 degrees.

For me this seems to work well, luckily as my husband has asthma , he is quite happy sleeping like this.

It took me a while to get it right, and I think it has flattened out a bit, but far better for me than piles of pillows.

I expect you will find something that works for you.

Best wishes

[GardeningDorset123 in reply to muddledme]

Did your doctor tell you to raise your head?

[muddledme in reply to GardeningDorset123]

Yes, when my glaucoma was not responding to therapy, the consultant asked me:

1. Did I play a wind instrument ? (No)

2. Did I stand on my head regularly ? (No)

3. Did I sleep with two pillows ? ( which he recommended).

I had already put a pillow under the mattress, but I then added a bit more to increase the angle . Nothing seemed to make much difference , but I am sure everyone responds in a different way , and the extra head elevation may have helped prevent more damage ???

[GardeningDorset123 in reply to muddledme]

Thank you so much for your time.. I'm trying three pillows but I've got neck ache!!

[Hidden]

Hi I just use one firm Tempur memory foam pillow ,that raises my head and works for me. I tried 2 pillows but it was hurting my neck and giving me a headache. I think it's trial and error unfortunately.

[GardeningDorset123 in reply to Hidden]

Do you think it's lowered your pressures.. your very kind to answer me

[Hidden in reply to GardeningDorset123]

My pressures have been pretty stable since I've had trabs in both eyes so I can't really say if the pillow has made any difference that way. I always slept on my front prior to being diagnosed with Glaucoma and I struggled sleeping on my side until using a memory foam pillow.

[Nonswimmer in reply to Hidden]

I have recently placed two large cushions between the mattress and the base and purchased a memory foam pillow being asthmatic this has proved helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Nonswimmer]

That's great a memory foam pillow has worked for you too. I guess it's just finding what works for each of us individually. 2 large cushions under the mattress is a good idea as it's not impacting on your neck. I have tried sleeping on my back but I just can't do it but my consultant had no issues with me sleeping on my side. 🤞 everything we are doing to keep our eye pressure down works .

[Beecalmed]

Hi! My consultant doesn’t believe any of these things really make a huge difference to IOP but I do them anyway because frankly I’ll try anything to keep my eyesight! I tried the two pillows but got neck ache; I then bought a wedge pillow placed under mattress (but that made me slide down the bed so I was almost flat again) and few weeks ago I tried propping up the head end of the bed with books to about 35 degrees so the whole bed slopes gently and this option is my preferred option. Keeps back in line, not to much neck tension and less slipping down the bed in the night. I was a side to front sleeper on my right side (bad eye) and I now start off on my back but often find I’m slightly on my side by morning but I’m ok with that.

[GardeningDorset123]

I also slept on bad eye front... thank you so much.. I've cut down caffeine and do yoga more carefully. and I'm talking b3 .. anything else you do??