Pillows

Has anyone tried those v shaped pillows for night time? If u have, do the make a difference trying to sleep when u have neck shoulder pain

[SnazzyD]

I’ve never been able to work out how they are supposed to be comfortable. I swear by a memory foam pillow so my neck is in a neutral position.

[Longtimer in reply to SnazzyD]

Me neither!....

[alvertta]

I have 3 pillows of various sizes and thickness. Mush them around as needed.

[Melodyvine in reply to alvertta]

Me too, the bed looks a bit messy when I make it, with excess pillows, but, who cares? Usually the top choice is the thinnest softest moulded round my head on top of a slightly firmer thicker pillow. The thickest is useful for support when sitting up in bed. Trial and error really!

[SheffieldJane]

Mine are horseshoe shaped, covered in fleece sheepskin. They do help. X

[jinasc]

The best pillow I have found in 2020 and I only wish I had known about it before is a GX Pillow. Take a look using your search engine. Designed by a British Engineer for his Daughter and made in the UK.

[123-go]

To be honest, none of the pillows I bought online were comfortable in spite of glowing reviews. I found lying on my back with a flattish pillow best (I couldn't sleep on my side as it hurt my shoulders). There should be no gap between head and the bed and this was achieved by a rolled tea towel strategically placed. It's trial and error really. Good luck!

[HappyDiamonds]

Another Vote here for memory foam pillow. I bought a Tempur pillow as recommended by my physio when I was told I had a trapped nerve in my neck (was GCA!!!!). So very comfortable and wouldn't ever swop it. Always thought the V shaped ones were for using when sitting up.

[Melti]

I find the v shape pillow useful for when I'm reading in bed (my addiction) but not so much for actually sleeping. Zzzzzzzs

[herdysheep]

I still prefer the down/feather pillows that you can mould as needed. Also have neck/shoulder issues.

[2penguins]

The best ever in my opinion were the flock pillows we had in the 60's and 70's. I've searched for them over the years but unable to find the real thing. There are wool pillows and others similar but none come close to what we used to use.

[Bobthebuilder3]

Karen, I think it depends on whether you are referring to PMR related neck and shoulder pain or some other medical cause. I have had problems with my neck, causing chronic sleep problems, for most of my adult life and have bought all types of pillows over the years in a search for a solution. Unfortunately, I don’t believe there is a simple answer, as we are all different, but offer the following based on my experience.

If it’s PMR related then the best you can achieve with a pillow is to be comfortable, as the pain and stiffness are not going to be affected by the pillow you sleep on. As others have said memory foam pillows are good and so are water pillows which I find really comfortable. With water pillows though you have to play around with the water level quite a bit to find what suits you but it’s well worth it for the sleep they give.

However, if it’s not PMR related then you need a pillow that gives you good neck support; which you are never going to get from ordinary pillows. The best I have found for this are the memory foam, cervical pillows. I have a Sleep Easy one that I purchased a couple of years ago and it has literally given me my life back. I still haven’t found the perfect solution (I don’t think there is one) but this is by far the best I have found.

Hope it helps.

[Daisymay]

I have just had my first nights sleep on yet another ergonomically designed pillow. Hasn't made any difference to how I slept and the pain in my shoulder, but I will persevere. I bought one a few months ago and gave up on it after a few weeks and thought perhaps that I needed a different design but I fear that it's not the answer. It's the one pain that is there in the morning. But keep trying as there may be a pillow that will work for you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daisymay]

I have had shoulder pain on waking recently. I mentioned it to the physio on Wednesday and she spent most of the session working on the bicep which was hard with knots of hardened muscle fibres. It's been a bit tender since but so much better in the mornings and the tenderness has worn off now.

[Suffererc in reply to PMRpro]

I find my neck muscles knot. A massage normals straightens them out

[Daisymay in reply to PMRpro]

I always assume all aches and pains are PMR related so thanks for the pointer. It may be that it needs some sort of physio assessment to see if there is another cause other than PMR. Would be good to improve it. I do use the CBD cream that was mentioned a while back on a thread and that can help but I will investigate further. Thank you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Daisymay]

She says it is part of the PMR in a way, but the normal dose of pred isn't enough to get rid of it, needs more targetted treatment. Like cleaning spots off the kitchen surfaces, they are clean enough, just clean marks so to speak.

[Daisymay in reply to PMRpro]

Makes sense. I didn't want to increase the dose just for that as it is quite manageable. I was going to increase previously as I has this and other niggles but most of the day I'm fine so I held off. I do find a heated wheat bag is a good soother of aches and pains and have been know to go to sleep with one wrapped around my neck. Love this site. So nice to talk to people with similar problems. As good as a dose of medicine!

[Maisiek]

I’ve found two pillows for my head plus a “boyfriend (!) pillow lengthways helps, or on my back with a pillow under my thighs. Surprisingly, a pillow mist from The Oil Hut seems to be helping my sleep but it may be that I’ve got my steroids down to 5 1/2mg. Good luck and Happy New Year all x

[borednow]

Wouldn't be without mine. Not, however, a V shaped one but the other sort i.e. strangely shaped normal pillow but with a bump/ridge!! Tempur do them but Dunelm have them too and a lot cheaper! Highly recommended. New Year Present??!!

[Dambusters]

I use 2 pillows - one reasonably firm and the other very soft so that I mould them.I also use leg pillow - small heart shaped one. I sleep very well.

[MrsNails]

I am The Pillow Queen! I have been through dozens in the past 9years pre PMR, shoulder surgery, PMR, Mastectomy.

I destroy them, l fold them up, l scrunch them, l sleep on three & it’s only the bottom one that survives.

A V Shaped or Tri Pillow is good for sitting up, supporting a limb post surgery or injury, feeding a baby 👶🏻

I wish l had the answer, I’m allergic to feathers so that’s not the answer for me unfortunately as they recover.

The best sleep l ever had was on the Queen Mary & believe me l was tempted to take a souvenir home with me but no space in the luggage 😂

I think l’ll have a look at the pillows jinsac has mentioned.....

[maria40]

I find mine invaluable. I used to use two feather pillows but the v-shaped is much better. Also great for sitting up and reading. One downside - changing the pillowcase is tricky!

[Cycles4fun]

I did but ended up with TMJ/jaw pain. Use just a flat pillow. Each of us is different.

[Kath567]

I use a half circle memory foam that supports my neck with any pillow and I can use it elsewhere if I am sitting and need neck support. I use 2 pillows on my side so my shoulder is supported.

[SandyBoots]

I have tried for 65 years to find a comfortable pillow. Not only do I have PMR but I also have osteoarthritis in my neck and have tried everything from down, feather, memory foam, natural fibers, etc. etc. Until... I found a pillow from Coop Home Goods that you adjust yourself to fit your neck and preferred sleep positions. I love it, Here is the website: coophomegoods.com/collectio.... They tell you how to adjust it. Might not work for others, but it has been really great for me.