Best pillows for my aching neck?

[delta-dawn]

Hello, just been diagnosed with GCA. Any suggestions as to most comfy pillows for back of neck pain? I can't get on with those hard ones in two horizontal sections! Thanks.

[Rimmy]

Tucking a soft pillow around your neck to 'cradle' it can help BUT I assume these aches & pains are diminishing if you are taking a high enough dose of Pred for the GCA - which presumably is related to these said pains. You really shouldn't have these continuing pains if you are on a sufficient dose to control what can be dangerous levels of inflammation possibly for your eyes and vascular health generally.

[delta-dawn in reply to Rimmy]

Thanks for replying, Rimmy. I am not in pain at present, it's just that my pillows need renewing anyway and I was covering my options if the pain was to worsen again. I had been previously told by another doctor that I had neck arthritis. As to dose, I am on 40mg pred daily, having been put on it two weeks ago by my doc while tests for GCA were done. Was diagnosed by consultant at Peterborough City Hospital on Thursday, who wants me t o reduce to 35mg in a few days time.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How long? What dose? Has the pain improved at all? Rimmy has said the rest.

[SheffieldJane]

Mine is a firm horseshoe shape with a wool fleece cover. I drag it with me on bad days, like a teddy bear. From bed to sofa. I expect that I got it at Amazon from one of their partners. I attributed this pain to Cervical Spondylosis, now I wonder. Please ensure with your doctors that your Pred dose is high enough.

[delta-dawn in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you, SheffieldJane. I'll take a look at that shape. As I explained elsewhere, I'm fine at present, but can't believe that that neck pain won't be back some time!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to delta-dawn]

If it is, it will be a sign you have reduced too far!!!

[delta-dawn in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your reply.

[Blearyeyed]

At the beginning of GCA I still got a lot of headaches and cross shoulder and neck pain.

I found I got relief using those microbead neck pillows on top of my normal pillows .

The opening was around the sides of my neck and my head was cradled and supported through the night in the circle .

I also had graduating pillows ,they created another of a wedge, so one cushioned my shoulders the other two made the slant with the microbead pillow on top.

I now use one of those Ubend pillows to help with arm and shoulder pain , but I don't pay it flat , the top I raise slightly by putting a normal pillow underneath and then I still use the microbead pillow on top of I need to.

[yogabonnie]

"my pillow" pillow. I love it. I hate the CEOs politics and STILL I buy it. HUGE endorsement that is how good it is. I can smoosh it around so it is perfect for my neck. They say with pillows never have your shoulders on them.

[Blearyeyed in reply to yogabonnie]

That does depend on if you need to cushion your shoulders as well as your neck because of pain , you just have a pillow that graduates or separate pillows for head/ neck and the shoulders to do it though.

[yogabonnie]

it's the my pillow that says not to put under shoulder.s sorry!

[journey2019]

i bought a chipped memory foam pillow from Amazon. It zips up to hold in the chips and after a few nights of taking out a few handfuls to get the correct support for my frame. Used it over a year now and no longer have neck pain.

4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon

Bamboo Pillow With Shredded Memory Foam (Martian Dreams) - Adjustable Loft - Orthopedic Pillow for Neck Pain - Hypoallergenic - made with 280gsm fabric for a Superior FeelBamboo

Hope this helps