Struggling to get comfortable when sleeping

[Derek1uk]

Hello all, my wife is exhausted and 1) She's scared to sleep in case she doesn't wake up and 2) The pain in her neck and shoulders from lying down.

Now we've got a V-shaped pillow which she puts (normal) pillows on top of the V-shaped pillow but TBH this isn't working. Is she doing right or wrong? I've suggested she just uses the V-shaped but that doesn't give her enough neck support, now currently she's only on Paracetamol as she has allergies to Co-Codamol and Nurofen/ibuprofen and similar pain killers. Hopefully she'll be able to source something else on Monday when she speaks to her G.p for the first time since the diagnosis was given last Sunday.

Can I ask, what do other people in the group use to help with Sleep issues? Pillow wise I mean? Any links to buying sites in the UK would help if allowed please.

Derek

[AnneandChris]

Dear Derek

I'm so sorry your wife has had this diagnosis.

Please speak to your wife's GP and ask for an OT and physio referral, so that you can get ahead of them game when it comes togetting equipment etc. They will come and assess what you need as and when the need arises. A referral to a SALT would be good to. Once you've had these appointments it is easier to contact these practitioners.

We had tremendous support from the various bits if the NHS who were either at the end of a phone or in person if we had any queries with aids being supplied quickly and efficiently.

If you haven't already done so please contact the PSPA who can advise too.

Keep on keeping on, it isn't an easy journey!

Anne

[LFG3]

Hello,

A prescription sleep aid called Trazadone works well for my husband with no daytime drowsiness afterwards. He uses the arthritis strength Tylenol and Icy Hot balm for neck stiffness and pain. He also uses a heating pad set on low on his neck during the day while he is in his recliner. He uses a thick memory foam pillow which gives a lot of support as he is a side sleeper.

Hope this helps.

[Amstel95]

My partner has also had neck problems, particularly at night. He now uses an ibuprofen gel which he rubs on his neck which helps. He has tried several pillows and eventually has found a shaped memory foam pillow that seems to improve things - I think you just have to experiment.