I am having difficulty sleeping through the night and wake up in the morning with bad breathing problems (I have COPD).

[Evans1953]

Can anyone recommend a good hard pillow so that I can get some height without sinking into the ones I usually buy which seem too soft, even if I use two or three (which is uncomfortable). I am new to this, so any info. would be helpful.

[happyfeet59]

If I need to sleep higher for my breathing I follow what the nurses do in hospital and use 4 pillows. 1 x flat on the bottom, 2 x on top of this, making a shape like a triangle with a point at the top and the last one across the middle. I kinda snuggle in the hollow middle. Not sure if this will make sense!

A hard pillow gives me a crick in my neck.

[huggs]

Hi Evans, I have the same problem which started 18 months ago now , and I never ever though I would manage to sleep upright all night, but I have with a few exceptions when I have rebelled. What I have managed through trial and error is to use those memory foam pillows at the bottom. They are hard and provide a firm base on which to build up with a less harder pillow and then a couple of soft ones at the top. You can adapt this to your taste but for me the hard memory foam pillows at the bottom are the key. You could even use them in the manner that Happyfeet has suggested. I personally hate a hard pillow under my head. Another thing to do if this doesn't work out properly is to get either a body pillow or a couple of pillows or some cushions and put them under your duvet at the bottom of the bed to help stop you sliding down. It can be done, but as I said its a case of trial and error. Sometimes I awaken during the night and decide to see if I can sleep on my side for a while, just for a little change. Sometimes I can and sometimes I can. Good luck and I hope this helps. hugs xx

[skinnylizzy59]

Hi Evans 1953, I bought a good quality 'Memory Foam' pillow. Although it seems a bit hard at first I soon became accustomed to it and wouldn't be without it now. I know what you mean about soft pillows, it doesn't matter how many you have they don't solve the problem. Good Luck. Take Care Lizzy.

[Hidden]

hi Evans 1953, I have similar problems sleeping and was advised to raise my pillows. My answer was to buy a folding backrest frame which sits under my usual 2 pillows and gives really firm support. I use it at the lowest angle but can raise it if I am having a bad time. It cost about £20 with VAT exemption and has been really good value as I can now sleep up to 4 hours without coughing. Hope you find your answer. Darthveda

[happyfeet59 in reply to Hidden]

another suggestion on this theme - you could buy a 'wedge'. It's triangular foam advertised as a leg raiser. I used one to help with physio years ago but it could be used under a pillow or two, or even under your mattress to give you a smoothe slope like a raised hospital bed.

[Offcut]

You could try memory foam pillow they are firmer but stink for a bit! I have not had an unbroken nights sleep for 6 years. My breathing drops a further 12.2% when flat.

[dwitt]

You sound like me - Do you use a saline kettle or pump numerous times a day to remove post nasal drips at night? A 45-degree angle is best at night. I have central sleep apnea. Best to loose excess pounds and get your BMI right on target. Excercise at a cardivascular level is helpful and do not eat after super. Avoid all caffine drinks. The above has help me but it is not a cure.

[helingmic]

Hi Evans,

When I was in hospital for pneumonia and pseudomonas, the nurse saw me crouching in bed. Straight away, she said, "Come on, sit up to get better and breathe better! you cannot stay crouched like this if you want to improve." And she pushed the button,so my headrest would be pushed high. so I was sitting almost at right angle! It did me good; and I slept like this too, but my head kept falling sideways.

When I was about to leave, I said to one of the nurses that I didn't have a bed like this at home. They contacted the physiotherapist and she produced a frame. I put two cushions lengthwise side by side and I'm fine, my head doesn't slip sideways any more..

What I needed was a protective cream for my bottom which had not so far have to bear my weight in this manner. I got it from the district nurse who said to call her if I needed more of this.

I suggest you ask for a frame from the pulmonary nurse. she should get in touch with the physiotherapist,so you don't have to spend a penny for this.

To get to sleep, I stare in the distance (not very far, because my cupboard is at the other end!) and I count my breaths up to 5 and start again. This has a powerful force on my eyes which feel like closing!

Yes, I do wake up during the night for a pee call. I keep a bottle of sparkling Caledonian water by the bedside, so when my mouth gets dry, I can take a few sips. I had to find the water that doesn't "scratch" my throat. Ordinary water makes me cough.

Sometimes I'm fed up waking at 4 am; I get up and have a hot chocolate! I then go back to bed and stare in the distance, counting my breaths up to 5 and start again. That seems to do the trick! Hope you get more comfortable.