The smallest of things !: Hi all, Just... - Multiple System A...

Multiple System Atrophy Trust

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The smallest of things !

Boyyo profile image
6 Replies

Hi all,

Just thought I'd post a little observation, you never know it mighthelp.

I was browsing our local Dunelm, obviously out of necessity, and wandered down an isle of pillows. I didn't know there could be that many types of pillow in the world let alone this specific shop.....they just went on and on and on!

Something triggered a conversation with J a while back when the subject of pillows came up and I couldn't remember the specifics, because it's about pillows and I'm a bloke, but I decided to buy a couple.

After way to long man handling a multitude of different types, I settled on two cloud like, but not too soft....large but not huge...bags of fluff.

Wow, what a difference to J's sleeping.

She would only normally get 3 hrs of sleep followed by a multiple trips to the bathroom (3 or 4) meaning only a few minutes sleep at a time, thereafter. I'd obviously be helping her up and back into bed, so I notice the change.

We haven't changed any drugs or dosages, and I'm sure that its just a coincidental change, but we'll take it for as long as it lasts. The good news being that when things go back to 'normal' I've got another two old ones to change :-)

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Boyyo profile image
Boyyo
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6 Replies
Niknak74 profile image
Niknak74

I completely relate to the multitude of pillows as I've just done exactly this at our local Dunhelm! P used to sleep as J does only a few hours a night and very broken but that was pre-MSA. He doesn't have any issues sleeping now due to extreme fatigue and can sleep for 8 hours although broken with toilet trips as you described.

The pillows do make a big difference I think as P is more comfortable with less back and neck pain when we've bought new firm, but not too firm pillows.

I've also bought a chair cushion as he sits a lot at the dining room table and was feeling discomfort as he doesn't have a lot of padding on him! Little things like these make a difference to aches and pains experienced.

Great J's sleeping better! Better for both of you getting extra rest. The more comfortable the better :)

vis1 profile image
vis1

How lovely to hear good news.

My sister has to use a breathing machine at night, so has to be quite propped up and she's found that a full, body length pillow is good to stop her rolling over.

I made my sister laugh yesterday - that was a good day as well.

TK-67 profile image
TK-67

Mum uses one of the V pillows - they help to support her neck and shoulders which we think helps with the pain. Dunelm are one of the only places that does lots of choice on the pillow cases for them so yes I'm there too!

CanAmK profile image
CanAmK

What was the name of the pillows everyone is using? We have been overwhelmed trying to find a good pillow!

Boyyo profile image
Boyyo in reply to CanAmK

Hello CanAmK,

I know what you mean, it's another world and more complex than a mere mortal man can handle!

Sorry, but I can't remember what the ones I purchased were called, they were just cloud like and new and helped with J's sleep.....not helping am I ? :-)

CanAmK profile image
CanAmK

Hahahaha. That's fine. If I could get him somewhere to try them first that would help. I saw some pillows that has different layers available including "fluffy" layers and denser layers. I find it amazing what research gets pushed forward and what stays behind. It's almost unbelievable that there isn't a test or meds for this yet.

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