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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on June 5, 2009, at 17:15:42
I've been having serious problems lately with pillows. I get migraines from waking up with my neck in an odd position. Even if the headache goes away once I get up and relax my neck, it invariably comes back sometime during the day.
Also, my upper back is so tense when I wake up that my first few words are yelps.
My latest pillow experiment was a water filled pillow that is supposed to be good for this problem. Instead it's become the standard by which to judge all future bad pillows. Not only did I wake up with a migraine, but I was hunched over, and had what I think is nerve pain from an old bathing injury.
After I got rid of my standard pillows, I've tried those shaped ones with a hole for the head, this water one, the husk filled one, and a wedge. The husk filled one worked for a while, but apparently I burrow my head and manage to bunch even that one in a way that forces my neck up. The wedge is pretty good except that my neck has no support. But at least my neck doesn't end up at an unnatural angle upwards.
It's funny, because I really don't move in my sleep. Except I apparently move my head.
Any ideas? Any pillows that work? For a head burrower?
Posted by Sigismund on June 5, 2009, at 17:42:42
In reply to Can we talk pillows?, posted by Dinah on June 5, 2009, at 17:15:42
The water pillow sounds dreadful (just like the water bed). Latex pillows are more trouble than they are worth: bloody uncomfortable things. Down pillows go mouldy. Wedge ones would give me a crick neck.
I like the ones with 2 compartments: a bigger bit for if you are on your side and a smaller side for if you are on your back, or vice versa.
Posted by garnet71 on June 5, 2009, at 18:32:56
In reply to Can we talk pillows?, posted by Dinah on June 5, 2009, at 17:15:42
I had problems with pillows for years. Mariott doesn't have the selection they used to, but I found their pillows to be the best. You might think pillow feathers are a bad idea, but these one's are firm; I use 2. You might want to try these and they are not that expensive:
An hour long massage from a good massuese is probably your best option. My masseuse said she could work on just my neck for over an hour it got so bad with anxiety.
Also, when I was on xxRIs, I had so much muscle pain in my back and neck. I don't get it anymore since I quit taking those drugs.
Lifting weights helps too, but you better get the massage first or it can make it worse when everything is all twisted up. Work your back, upper arms, shoulders, and do lifts for the lower neck area.
I understand how miserabe that can be. Hope you find a remedy.
Posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2009, at 19:42:09
In reply to Re: Can we talk pillows?, posted by garnet71 on June 5, 2009, at 18:32:56
I also use two pillows one is down, sleep on my side. Really don't move all night. Phillipa
Posted by MidnightBlue on June 5, 2009, at 23:16:05
In reply to Can we talk pillows?, posted by Dinah on June 5, 2009, at 17:15:42
Dinah,
I use the shaped ones that are memory foam. I have found even 1/2 an inch or less too much or too little can be a problem. I find the pillows only last about a year or two then they compress too much. A folded bath towel underneath can get me a little more time out of one.
Also if the room is a bit too cool or there is a fan I tend to crunch my neck up. So not too cool, no breeze and a nice soft sheet you can pull all the way up.
Posted by Dinah on June 6, 2009, at 10:03:18
In reply to Re: Can we talk pillows?, posted by Sigismund on June 5, 2009, at 17:42:42
If I'm understanding what you mean, I think I tried one of those. Don't they depend on you keeping your head on the same plane? I apparently move mine too much.
Posted by Dinah on June 6, 2009, at 10:06:16
In reply to Re: Can we talk pillows?, posted by garnet71 on June 5, 2009, at 18:32:56
Firm doesn't seem to be what my neck needs. Firm and flat maybe.
I agree with you about massages. I don't like to be touched by strangers, but my husband gives a fabulous massage. Unfortunately he rarely has time in the morning, even if I were awake at the same time he is. But he helps a lot in the evenings.
I'd have to start off with quarter pound weights, or I'd likely have a heart attack. :) I am in horrible shape.
Posted by Dinah on June 6, 2009, at 10:06:43
In reply to Re: Can we talk pillows?, posted by garnet71 on June 5, 2009, at 18:32:56
Posted by Dinah on June 6, 2009, at 10:07:59
In reply to Re: Can we talk pillows?, posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2009, at 19:42:09
I can barely tolerate one pillow. :)
My therapist suggested a travel neck pillow and the wedge. I might try to find one, or practice with a rolled up handtowel.
Posted by Dinah on June 6, 2009, at 10:13:11
In reply to Re: Can we talk pillows? » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on June 5, 2009, at 23:16:05
Hi Midnight! I've missed you.
I think you may be on to something with the fan. My husband had always opposed one, but gave in when I started getting so hot at night with perimenopause. My neck may have gotten worse since then.
As soon as my back gets back to normal and the nerve stops hurting, I'll see if not using the fan helps. I know the dogs would appreciate it. Both of the ones who sleep with us are cut down pretty short, and they both seem to mind the fan.
When I was a teen, I'd stay up most of the night in the summer, reading in the bathtub. I ended up with a problem with the nerve on that most prominent vertebrae where neck meets body. Usually it's no trouble, but every once in a while it flairs up again. My old bathing injury. :)
Posted by gardenergirl on June 6, 2009, at 17:29:54
In reply to Re: Can we talk pillows? » Dinah, posted by MidnightBlue on June 5, 2009, at 23:16:05
> Dinah,
>
> I use the shaped ones that are memory foam. I have found even 1/2 an inch or less too much or too little can be a problem. I find the pillows only last about a year or two then they compress too much. A folded bath towel underneath can get me a little more time out of one.I agree. I think my pillow, which is probably two years old now is about to give up the ghost. Wish they weren't so expensive. But I love it. It helps me with reducing snoring and supports me well. I'm usually a side sleeper, and this seems to keep me on my side.
gg
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