Have you tried ice or the cool gel packs ? I know they can cause more problems for those who also have RSD (maybe what caused my RSD ?) but I could not live without ice packs.

I can't sleep on my back............embarrassed to say, but I'm a snorer. I sleep on my non affected side with pillows to support my affected arm from leaning forward. I have a good memory foam pillow that is higher than some of the cheaper models that I have seen. It cradles my head/neck just perfect sleeping on my side, but I don't find it comfortable if I lay on my back (to read)

sleeping on my back used to be difficult for me, too. I generally go to sleep on my heating pad, it has a timer to turn off after an hour. In the warmer months i just put it on a really low heat setting, however i am in CA where it is very rarely very hot.

I have found the use of a pillow under my knees really takes the pressure off my low back- you know how at the PT you lay on the table and they have the wedge thing that they put under you legs that is so comfy....well i try to mimic that feeling with a pillow. It also helps me be comfy enough not to want to roll over.

I also really like my buckwheat pillow. You can mold it exactly to your head, and then it doesn't move, you just stay supported in exactly the comfy place. I learned in feldenkrais how to do it correctly, to make sure your head is supported at a flat level instead of at an incline. I have found that i can mimic this with the buckwheat pillow. It can be sort of hard, though, so if i have any amount of headache (like 50% of the time), I have a really soft and fluffy goose down pillow which serves a very similar fun tion but is super soft.

Actually, the fluffy soft goose down pillow has been a favorite for years....especially when i have a bad headache, it just feels like my head is on a cloud.

i also find that my needs and preferences change over time, so no solution is one size fits all :)

i do like the rice sock, i have been meaning to make on of those but haven't gotten around to it.

thanks finz!

I hate sleeping on my back too - before TOS i used to sleep on either side or my stomach and would love to be able to just drop off to sleep like i used to....now sleep has become a mission and just getting in the right position takes forever- its such a pain!. I havent tried ice packs yet - i have always found heat to be so soothing - i am going to get some asap to give it a try though....

thanks johannakat!

i also use my heating pad on a very low heat at night time to fall asleep on....it does switch off after 90 mins - but more often than not i have switched it off when i feel im on the brink of nodding off!.

i have just found something called a mediflow pillow - soft and fluffy on the top and waterfilled underneath (which can be part filled or fully filled depending on your comfort!) sounds really good to me - it does cost £40 (approx $70?) I think im going to invest in the most expensive pillow ever!!....im going to look into a buckweat pillow too now.

back sleeping
 

I had to learn to sleep on my back as well so as to avoid my arms going numb. I used a memory foam pillow under my neck and something rolled up between my shoulder blades. But it wasn't until I experimented with pillows that go under the knees and ended up with a 6 inch memory foam knee pillow that I was finally able to successfully sleep on my back.

Hi i have a water pillow it is great i don't know what i would do with out it. It is heavy there for you can't get your arms under it like if you were to sleep on your side so now i have had to sleep on my back. I am glad that comp got it for me they are a little expensive. I just wish i could get comp to bye me a bed lo lo

since Biofreeze was mentioned as something to try I would also recommend Chinagel. chinagel.com I use lidoderm patches too but the OverTheCounter topicals are a lot less expensive.

Hiya,

Thanks for all the advice- think im going to give the water pillow a try seeing you've had sucess with it....think i'd pay anything at the moment for a good nights rest!

Also have ordered some cool pads to give that a go too!
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