Do these items help get a decent nights sleep? My shoulders & neck are the biggest problem for myself along with breathing congestion. Does anyone find sleeping at an upright angle useful?
Memory Foam Pillows & Mattress. Any Good? - PMRGCAuk
Memory Foam Pillows & Mattress. Any Good?
66 Replies
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For me it’s a huge no as they make me hot and dripping sweat, any kind of foam stuff has the same effect. Some people find they are helpful . Maybe try a pillow first see if it helps. Good luck.
in reply to CT-5012
Presume your bedding is down /feather based then CT! Unless it was very densely packed it would be too soft for myself. It may be the Buffalo hump or possibly other neck & shoulder issues! Thanks for your experience.
CT-5012 in reply to
Pillow is some sort of fibre, the shop had a very knowledgeable salesman and the pillow came in three levels of support. Son who has asthma also has one and is ok with it.
I have the same effect as CT-5012 - memory foam is often too hot. I have a pillow that was fine pre-PMR but now I can get so hot is softens too much and is the wrong shape. I loved my daughter's memory foam bed though!
in reply to PMRpro
Thanks for your experience. Nobody has mentioned a waterbed yet! That's if they still make such things!
If you decide to investigate that make sure you have tried it in a money-back or limited expenditure situation (a hotel say)! Sea-sickness is a real risk...
I use a Coolmax pillow bought from QVC some years ago. I have a new Silentnight mattress medium comfort. Could not sleep with memory foam mattress, far too hot. My breathing is helped by a second quite shallow pillow under the Coolmax, so that my head and shoulders are slightly raised. I also found a full meal in the evenings was not helping my breathing, pushing my stomach against the diaphragm, so now I eat a very light supper by 6 p.m.
in reply to nevagivup
Thanks. I am a late night eater too so that doesn't help.
I bought two expensive support pillows ( Synthetic filling) when pain the base of my skull made sleeping difficult. Absolutely impossible for me, I simply could not get comfortable and felt I was being pushed. I now sleep comfortably on two (one on top of the other) feather and down pillows.
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer
Hi,
Plenty of Orthopaedic pillows for sale - just make sure you know what one you want - side sleeping or back sleeping
This is just one -
complete care shop.co.uk/orthopaedic-aids/orthopaedic-pillows/
Or usual beginning with Am...
But have a look for different types first, some a quite pricey!
This might help -
chirocentre.co.uk/how-choos...
in reply to DorsetLady
Thanks. Will have be having a look.
John Lewis do an excellent one which is for side sleeping on one side and neck sleeping on the other. Made of bamboo.
That’s interesting.
I only sleep on side, can’t do back!
I invested in Orthopaedic bed a few years ago when old one needed replacing. Already got the lounge sussed for “old age”!
It’s great when changing fitted sheets, the head and the foot end lift up - so no bending (GCA then, arthritis now!)
Never thought I’d be having this conversation in my 20s! 🤨😳
in reply to DorsetLady
Nor me! Didn't think I'd last this long!! Side sleeper myself. Can snore for England on my back as my ward mates in hospital were only too willing to share! An adjustable bed must be the best solution combined with pillow & body comfort. Another learning experience.
Ditto on the snoring front - better warn them, my op is due soon! 😳 family trait I’m afraid!
in reply to DorsetLady
Hope it goes well DL. Operations aint like chronic illness! The minute you wake up you will be up & running! Careful of that morphine though!! ATB
🌹
OH used to snore so loudly that in the summer with windows open our neighbors opposite could hear him. All that changed when OH fell off his bike and broke his nose. Wish I’d known about this solution earlier, I could have solved the problem with a brick. 😂
in reply to CT-5012
Ahh! Now the truth's emerging! Does he read the E Mails!!!!
Hello, what is the breathing congestion from? The posture or getting stuffed up?
in reply to SnazzyD
Who knows! Sinus's. Daily spray with Mometasone. Some shortness of breath when lying horizontal which wakes me. Trickle of mucus in my throat which is difficult to clear. Remember "The Fast Show" character! Better when sitting upright.
SnazzyD in reply to
Just a thought, but how old is your pillow? I was told by an asthma specialist once that house dust mites build up in pillows and mattresses after a year or two and can cause allergy symptoms at bedtime. Pillows are worst because one’s face is mashed into it all night.
I read many complaints about memory foam mattresses trapping heat, etc.; however, I decided to try for myself, and I absolutely LOVE my mattress. I live in the US and purchased mine at Costco, which has a generous return policy, in the event I didn’t like the mattress. Seven years ago, I purchased less expensive memory foam mattresses from Overstock.com for my two college aged kids, and they love them— as do any guests that stay over (when kids are away at school).
In regards to pillow(s), I have slept with a natural foam pillow for more years than I can count. In recent years, due mostly to vertigo and reflux, I sleep with two additional fiber-filled pillows as support under my foam pillow to prop up my head, neck, and shoulders. My husband dislikes the natural foam pillow— they’re not for everyone and very different from memory foam. You can also find a natural foam mattress, which I’ve read regulate temperature better (much more costly). My grandparents always had natural foam mattresses, and years later, I can still remember how wonderfully comfortable they were (the mattresses 😬).
I suggest trying a foam mattress—memory or natural—and buying through a company that would allow you to return if you are unhappy.
Best of luck!
(I really do love my mattress!)
in reply to Canygirl61
Thank you Canygirl61. No easy's to this one is there!. It's all getting complicated for me! Fiber, Natural foam,Memory foam,Down& feather!! Good sleep is so important for us though. I am a different person when had a good nights kip!
I use an orthopedic mattress with a thick memory foam mattress topper, and that is very comfortable!
I'm with you on the memory foam, Canygirl, We have a memory foam mattress and because the bed is a low one - inherited, long story, we have a 4 inch MF topper AS WELL! my pillows are pure goose down - I should say pillow as i only sleep on one. I'm a back sleeper and find anything higher gives me neck and back ache.
I have a memory foam mattress and love it. I bought it before the cool ones came out. I also have a pillow by the same company that has the bump to support the neck and then is rather flat. If it get congested I raise the mattress by putting something under my head. If I just raise my head with pillows, my neck hurts.
in reply to TooSore
Thanks." Raising my head with pillows"! Spot on for me too.
HeronNS in reply to
I tried the memory foam pillow with the bump to support the neck and found it really hard and uncomfortable. Hubby uses one and seems to like it. Only way to find out if something works for you is to try it, hence advice to buy from a place which accepts returns.
in reply to HeronNS
Thanks for that Heron.
I use the memory foam neck pillow too, but I have two feather pillows on top of it and that works well for me
Since I got some very effective physiotherapy a couple of years ago I don't need nearly as high a pillow, in fact find too much height very uncomfortable now and seems to affect blood flow to my head, so only one reasonably thick quite soft pillow now. 😴
Hi Pepperdoggie,having spent some very restless nights lately l think that l would feel better almost sitting up as the tinnitus in my head seems a lot worse when lying down.l also get a stiff neck although I do have a couple of soft pillows. I have been looking at mattresses as l need to buy a new one,there are so many to choose from it is quite confusing.l am sure that memory foam is comfortable but l would rather not have that,there are other more natural fibres used in mattresses,although many years ago l bought a latex pillow which was really comfortable,but it eventually began to fall apart. I wonder if memory foam does this eventually ? I expect a mattress to last about 8 to 10 years.
in reply to Grants148
Sorry to hear of your Tinnitus Grants! Another pain to deal with! Thanks for your experience on the sleeping comfort. Latex pillow going on the list too. Is this like Room 101!!
Canygirl61 in reply to
Btw; I meant to say that my “natural” foam pillow is latex foam. I’ve had it for seven years, and there’s no sign of falling apart. I even take it with me when I’m traveling on a road trip— too big for airplane.
Telian in reply to
Add bamboo to your list too, just bought a bamboo mattress for son, it's keeps you cool, expensive though but lovely - he took ages choosing went to a bed specialist otherwise how do you know what's right for you and look into their returns policy - good luck.
PS: what's the shrub - forgotten the name - or is it a hippy hedgehog!
in reply to Telian
Bamboo is a new one on me Telian. Certainly returns a policy seems a good idea if these items are pricey.
Hah! Ordinary hedgehogs are rare enough thesedays! The plant is Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens'. Commonly called 'Black Grass'. Grows & spreads really well in our clay based soil. Has tiny pink/white flowers which form into black beads. Great contrast with Snowdrops.
Telian in reply to
It was for me, think Rose54 mentioned it too. My son went to the store three times to try the beds before he decided, think he was on for breakfast if he went back again! It was half price but still paid over £600 just for the mattress!
I love grasses but haven't got the black one - and would love to be able to reel the names of like you so it will be plain black grass - will try it as we've got clay based soil
Hi
My advice would be go to a good bed specialist store and try the beds
thier the experts and will look at your alignment on the beds to see if thier correct for you.
Even try different mattresses on different bases
For me it was a deep sprung divan the more springs the better .
My son swears by memory foam but both him and wife say thay have a better night sleep on my bed when thay stay.
Pillows try bamboo ones but make sure thay have the side seams not just two pieces of material sown with filling .
OH and I had bamboo pillows in a hotel last year and yes they were very comfortable.
in reply to Rose54
Thanks. Great information on another options.
Hi - I am fortunate to have an adjustable bed, which helps my stuffy nose and swollen feet. Also have a memory foam mattress, which in this weather does get a bit hot and sweaty, but I have a ceiling fan to counteract that, and the mattress is very comfortable. As you can tell, I take my sleep problems very seriously and decided it was worth the investment!
"Haven't you got it sorted"venezia1. Bloody good for you. ATB
Before diagnosis I sat upright at my worst. Much better obviously now on pred. I have a tempura (sorry if this is the spelling for prawns etc cooked in batter) pillow from john Lewis. Not cheap but best pillow I've found for my neck so far. Can recommend highly.
in reply to Pongo13
Thanks. Looking all the products up now.
Hi read your post with great interest thanks, which tempur pillow did you buy please? Was it the shaped one they list as"tempura original support" just want to be sure before I order one as I agree they are very expensive but worth investing in if they provide a good nights sleep
Do you use it on its own or with another pillow?
Thank you for going to the trouble of letting the forum know about these pillows, it's much appreciated
Not shaped and cost about £80 but honestly much better than a handbag...Mmmm pre PMR would never have said that! In fact there's quite a lot of things I never dreamed I'd be saying. (Like oh goody, let's spend £100 on getting my deaf ear hoovered).
Hiya, I have had a Tempur mattress topper for a few years now. It is not the complete mattress just consists of approx. 2" to put on my main mattress worked out a lot cheaper than the main Tempur one. I find it blissful when I get into bed, would hate to be without it to be honest, maybe go into a bedding shop and try one. I find hotel mattresses very uncomfortable to sleep in with PMR aches and pains.
in reply to Reethebeat
Thanks. Looking all the options up now & test them out.
I think l might try a latex pillow again,perhaps they have improved since l had one,it was about 45 years ago. I have to have soft pillows because of my neck,it causes stiffness if pillows are too firm. I always take my pillow with me when l go away,except when l go abroad,the tinnitus is worse when my neck is affected,just one of the joys of PMR l guess.
in reply to Grants148
We are opposite on that one Grants. My neck & head feels as though it needs supporting. Soft pillows don't work for me. Guess we are all different in our sleeping zones. ATB
Hi Pepperdoggie. Poor you. There’s nothing worse than be uncomfortable at night and not being able to breathe. Having suffered both for years putting the back pain down to previous prolapsed disc and the congestion down to allergy I solved both. The back and painful hips ( I already had an expensive orthopaedic mattress), was solved by getting a good latex topped one - sheer bliss!! The congestion went away after a trip to the GP who diagnosed a “post nasal drip” and prescribed a Rhinatec nasal spray. Miracle! Cleared up after a couple of weeks. I have one Dunlapillow latex pillow which is quite thick, but very comfortable. Used to need 2 now just need 1. Acupuncture has helped to release the muscle tension and relax me for a good night sleep. Night sweats, even in current heat, much better since reduced caffeine, alcohol, chilli and I try not to eat after 8 pm. I have a cup of herbal “sleepy tea” before bed and no ordinary tea or coffee after 5 pm. Latex and memory foam are both very warm, so I sleep with very little on top, all cotton bedding & night clothes and windows open. I also regularly vacuum my mattress. Have you sprayed around the edges of your bedroom with house dust mite spray? Everybody has them, so no reflection on your housekeeping skills 😜
Sorry, very long reply but hope something of help.
Really hope you get some relief. Disturbed sleep is so debilitating. Xx
in reply to Nerak12
Thanks for that Nerak12. Lots of good tips there. Never tried the mite spray. As you say repeatedly disturbed sleep is so debilitating. I am indeed a miserable grumpy old bugger afterwards! ATB
About 5 years ago I gave in and bought a (fairly expensive) memory foam pillow- some friends had bought them from The Ideal Home Show and raved about them, but I had always thought they would make me too hot...and I have suffered with night sweats for too many years! I love it, and it doesn't make me any hotter than any other pillow.
I stay a few nights a week at my daughters house and was really struggling to sleep at hers without my pillow, due to my ongoing neck and shoulder pain. I went to Dunelm Mill and bought one of the shaped pillows, sort of uneven S shaped in profile, with a big bump and a smaller bump. I had some misgivings that I would not like the shape of it but chose this one as it was advertised as having 'Staycool' technology or some such thing and it was middle of the range cost-wise. To my surprise I find It really helps me get comfortable and despite the hot weather we have had recently I haven't woken in a muck sweat! So as others have said I think you have to try them....there are loads to choose from so probably better to buy in person rather than online. Good Luck x
in reply to angiek
Thanks for that angiek. I like the sound of 'Staycool' technology! I really have got to try these things out. ATB
Hi Pepperdoggie, guess I will throw my hat into the ring to say we have sleep number mattresses. We tried the memory foam which made us very hot, so we went back to the sleep numbers. They are light and make it easier for me to move the bed to clean around.
Love my down pillow because when I feel a PMR ache, I can move and flatten it or bunch it up as needed , When I have vertigo, I use a pillow wedge so that I am raised.
Sleep is so important and I hope you find a solution soon!
Hello. I have an Ikea mattress ,Sultan Hjartdal , which has an integral memory foam top. I love it. It's a firm mattress but the memory foam top means it moulds to my body shape for total support and relief of pressure on shoulders and hips. I have not found it hot. I'm convinced that the best pillow is Dunlopillo,PE297EF, as it is springy and soft and totally supportive of my poor neck.Costs around £50,but well worth it as it keeps its shape. Had mine for my birthday! Beware waterbeds! If it's a double you disturb each other just by turning over and can feel sea sick.Plus the potential damage to ceilings if it gets punctured, as my parents one did.
I purchased a Sleep Number bed this past January. .I have the adjustable head and feet. Since I got this bed, I must say the pressure points on hips and back are relieved. .I find my number is between 25 and 35 depending on how I feel. I have bought 2 other mattresses and sent them back and that's when I decided on this bed. My shoulders still bother me but not as bad, i also purchased the memory foam topper for sleep number. I comes with a cooling zippered cover. I am hot once in a while, so maybe it's just me. I adjust the head and don't need to worry about the pillows. I also tried so many, I think the height of the head of the bed makes a difference and adjusting the softness/firmness of the mattress to relieve pressure points. If you sleep on 2 pillows, you get a kink in the neck, my neck is much better now. Still some issues with shoulders, but much better.
Bert that's great information thank you. Such a big difference when we can sleep well.ATB
I have a 12” memory foam bed. I love how comfy I feel but find I perspire too much. The other drawback is getting out of it. It is not at my most graceful getting out of it. I also use a memory foam pillow which is really comfy but I also wake up sweating 😓. Then I bought a gel foam pad which is supposed to be cooling and is not. The thing is it is so comfy I don’t want to get rid of it.
What I do now is if I feel hot I hit my remote to turn on my fan. With air circulation I don’t seem to perspire as much.
Linda 🦋
Thanks Lin. Not sure if it would help me with these type of mattresses. Seems like I just have to test them out. Mainly for myself it's neck/shoulder alignment & breathing comfortably at the moment, ATB
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