What pillow do you use?
 

Hi all!

I was just wondering what kind of pillow you guys sleep with?
I find it hard to find a good pillow that supports my neck during sleep..
I often wake up with a sore neck :confused:

Thanks

For me - the generic contour memory foam ones work well.

i have to use a towel

my neck is really messed up, using a pillow "turns it on"

When I'm on my back, I use towels too. Two small ones folded in half stacked on each other. Then a third folded in four, placed under the neck.

The neat thing about towels is that you can configure the thickness and shape til you find what you need.

On my side, I use a really tall foam memory pillow on top of the towels. All that space between the shoulder and head has to be filled in so your head can be in a neutral position.

I also found that I was unconsciously tensing my neck while laying down. Not sure what that's all about, but I monitor for it and release it.

HTH

Hi marks
 

I sleep with a wedge after two spinal fusions. I also keep a contour memory foam one beside it, when I just can't stand being on my back any more. Both work really good for me. ginnie

thanks for your replies everybody :)

I've just ordered a tall large memory pillow. I hope that will help.

I tried the wedge and memory foams to no avail, then my Dr. recommended a water pillow it is wonderful and very comfy on the neck, I ordered thur my PT for around $60.00 plus tax.
Bunz

As well as A/VTOS I have issues with C3-C4, facet joint sclerosis.
If you're saying that a water pillow is good than I have an idea......... Gonna try to place a water bottle under my neck/base of skull as well as my usual pillows.
Watch this space.... I'll let you know how I do with it.:winky:

Hello bunz
 

Are you herinated in your spine? The wedge is a bit stiff, but it keeps my neck straight. I think the water pillow soundslike a good idea to try. There is also memory foam with various shapes, to contour your neck to it. Hollows in the middle and so forth. There are some speciality magazinesout there who sell these specialized pillows.I have never seen those pillows like in BedBath and Beyond. Only in the magazines. I sure hope those who have pillow trouble can find some comfort. There is nothing worse than your neck and head hurting while you are trying to sleep. I hope you find something for that good nights sleep. ginnie I am fused C3-7

Hi ginnie, I am fused from C4-C7, since my fusion C3-4 herniated and have osteophytes on multi levels, TOS, as well I suffer with L2-L5 disc bulging. I do not sleep well at all, pain and bi-laterial radiculopathy all nite long. I find the wedge too firm and uncomfortable for me, and the memory foam does not hold its shape well, where with the water pillow you fill it too your desired amt, whether you like a softer or firmer pillow, I had to order a 2nd one for the hubby he loves it as well. Good luck, Bunz

Hi bunz
 

You and me just about have the same thing. I am sorry you had to go through such pain too. I still have NP on my left arm, but I take pain meds. I can't expect to be perfect after all the fusions. My first didn't work at all. I reversed the curve of my neck. This last one gave my neck back to what it was suppose to be. C1-2 isn't so good and neithor is T1-2. I won't have any more fusions, I won't go through that again. what about you?. Are you going to do any more? Those disks of yours sound like they are in trouble. Did you injure yourself? I was an artist and worked under a magnafier for 30 years. Looking down all those years is what did it to me. All of a sudden I couldn't look down or up for that matter, hense these last years of misery.
I am glad you are trying the water pillow. I may have to do that too. I am not comfortable on the wedge or really with the memory foam eithor. It was just the best I could figure out to do. I am sorry we both suffer though this stuff. Glad I found neuro talk, and the support and friends here. I am not sure I would have endured without these people. ginnie:hug:

Hi ginnie, I am not sure about more surgery, but there are some days that I think about calling my Neuro to set a date lol. My Neuro told me old age on my cervical issues(I was 50), but I worked in a nursing home for 6yrs lots of wear and tear with lifting residents that's how I hurt my lower back. Oh by the way doll I am not trying the water pillows, I have been using them for over a year now.
Well enjoy your day hopefully in comfort, here in Ontario it gonna be a beautiful fall day, lots of sunshine and warm, good day to finish up the gardens and have a camp fire to burn the brush, tasting the hot chocolate already lol!
Bunz

Hi bunz
 

Your girls are beautiful. It sounds like you have happiness in your home, and great beauty where you live.
I will get a water pillow. I will try something different, that may help. I sure hope you don't have to make that call to your neruo. Those things are hard to go through. I know people who work in nursing homes too, my son. He is an OPT, and lifts people with a back brace all day long. I think about his future, and pray he is careful. sorry for what it did to your back. It seems our occupations sure had some risk.
It is cold here today for us down in the 50's. We do freeze. I live off the west coast of Florida. Very near to tampa bay. Nobody thinks it gets cold here, but the last few years have changed dramitacally, much colder winters. Later today it will warm up, and I'll go outside and play in the garden. Hope you have a good day too. ginnie

Good Morning ginnie, thanks my grand babies are beautiful girls course I am partial to them lol, I have a wonderful family and live in the country, friends and visitors say our backyard is very peaceful and serene, and my now hubbys gardens are very pretty, (I help the best I can)I must admit he doing a good job, he loves big plants elephant ears/castor beans/canna lilies. Even tho working with the elderly has its risks it was a very rewarding job. I'm sure your son feels good assisting and helping the residents at the end of the day, some I remember had no family come visit and I would spoil them on B-days and Christmas. I am sorry to hear Florida is not so warm anymore, I guess we think heat when thinking going south. I have to say we have been around 50-55 here and we find that warm for this time of year, but it won't last winter is just around the corner. Let me know how you make out getting the water pillow.
Enjoy ginnie, bunz