mkoven Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 For those of you with head-neck pain issues, what kind of pillow do you sleep with? As I posted elsewhere, I've been diagnosed with cranial-cervical instability, and the base of my skull/top of my neck is extremely sensitive. I need support but not pressure. I can't count the number of pillows I"ve tried (I'm a back sleeper)--usually either too much pressure or not enough support. I still feel a big crack at the base of my skull along with a headache when I move in the morning--meaning I guess that whatever I'm doing isn't quite enough? I currently use a contoured memory foam pillow, but wonder if there's something better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 I have ongoing neck pain following a car accident in 2005. It is muscluar pain rather than an instability but I like to feel as though the whole of my head and neck are supported, I can't bear having a gap under my neck.A few months ago I found a pillow in Ikea Gosa Lilja which is soooo comfortable. It was really expensive but so good that I have bought a second one to keep in my room at my parent's house. It is designed for side sleepers (has a cut-out for your shoulder and a raised bit to fit against your neck) but I tend to roll over a lot at night and find this just as comfortable and supportive when sleeping on my back. I have previously tried Ikea's other shaped pillows but not found them comfy.Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
potsgirl Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 I've struggled for years trying to find a pillow that doesn't set off my head/neck pain. I got a Memory Foam pillow for back sleepers, so there's a larger swell at the bottom, a smooth area for your head, and then a smaller swell at the top. I love it, and the Macy's near me had it on sale recently for $15 down from $60. Best,Jana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broken_Shell Posted July 19, 2009 Report Share Posted July 19, 2009 Hi,I also use a contoured memory foam pillow. I had to try a few different companies through before I found a good one... they all seem to have a little different contour and firmness. Good luck!~ Broken_Shell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njfainter42 Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Hi,I also use a contoured memory foam pillow. I had to try a few different companies through before I found a good one... they all seem to have a little different contour and firmness. Good luck!~ Broken_Shell I really like my therapeutica pillow...can find this online. It has raised sides for the side sleeper and a lower middle for back sleeping. I went thru many pillows before finding this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoven Posted August 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 just to follow up. I"ve since bought a mackenzie cervical roll that I put at the bottom of my pillow to go between shoulders and head, and I think it helps. (I can't get over how much my neck plays a role in so many of my symptoms. Not sure if it's THE smoking gun, but definitely one of them. Since my neck doesn't really hurt, I didn't make the connection. Butpoor neck/head posture brings on so many ans symptoms for me.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted August 8, 2009 Report Share Posted August 8, 2009 Thanks for the link on the pillow Flop. Currently I sleep with my SOFT cervical spine collar because my cervical cranial area slips, and I wake up with a headache.With this pillow that you show in the link, it looks like my shoulders may do better too. I have slipping with my shoulders when I sleep on my side. It's really a struggle to sleep lately.Maxine :0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Maxine,I have shoulder problems from sleeping on my side too. My shoulder is often scrunched up underneath me and most uncomfortable. I have quite broad shoulders so I actually put a thin normal pillow under the Ikea one to keep my spine in a straight line horizontally and reduce the squishing of my shoulder.Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It'sMyLife Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 For those of you with head-neck pain issues, what kind of pillow do you sleep with? As I posted elsewhere, I've been diagnosed with cranial-cervical instability, and the base of my skull/top of my neck is extremely sensitive. I need support but not pressure. I can't count the number of pillows I"ve tried (I'm a back sleeper)--usually either too much pressure or not enough support. I still feel a big crack at the base of my skull along with a headache when I move in the morning--meaning I guess that whatever I'm doing isn't quite enough? I currently use a contoured memory foam pillow, but wonder if there's something better.Do you mind if I ask how you got your diagnosis of c-c instability? I've been seeing a chiro for years but never been told that I have this. I'm thinking maybe they've just never put it in that exact phrase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It'sMyLife Posted August 9, 2009 Report Share Posted August 9, 2009 Maxine,I have shoulder problems from sleeping on my side too. My shoulder is often scrunched up underneath me and most uncomfortable. I have quite broad shoulders so I actually put a thin normal pillow under the Ikea one to keep my spine in a straight line horizontally and reduce the squishing of my shoulder.FlopI've never met anyone else who has "the shoulder problem" before. I was told in high school, during a sports physical, that I had hyper-mobile joints and I've always thought this is why my shoulder bothers my while sleeping. I've read a little about EDS, but I don't have the skin symptoms that go along with the hyper-mobile type. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandymbme Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 I tried sleeping on a tempurpedic pillow last night and woke up with a screaming migraine! Never again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Darcy,if you have some hypermobility then it is worth getting evaluated for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, not everyone displays all the signs. In the UK the diagnosis is made by rheumatologists but I think in the USA people usually see a geneticist for the diagnosis. It is probably worth getting checked out.Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjb Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 I have the same problems and it is getting worse.Have you seen the chiari pillow?I plan on ordering one soon.here is a link:http://www.medpillow.com/Merchant2/merchan...tegory_Code=MSPI also plan on elevating the foot of my bed, though I wonder if that will cause more pooling.For those of you with head-neck pain issues, what kind of pillow do you sleep with? As I posted elsewhere, I've been diagnosed with cranial-cervical instability, and the base of my skull/top of my neck is extremely sensitive. I need support but not pressure. I can't count the number of pillows I"ve tried (I'm a back sleeper)--usually either too much pressure or not enough support. I still feel a big crack at the base of my skull along with a headache when I move in the morning--meaning I guess that whatever I'm doing isn't quite enough? I currently use a contoured memory foam pillow, but wonder if there's something better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 MEDIFLOW Pillow. Google it. My son has cervical instability, etc and this pillow has been a godsend. It's half water and half traditional pillow. It has just enough give to cradle your neck in any position, especially on the side. I slept so well my first night with it, I slept through the alarm. It's like returning to the womb. I repeatedly purchase these pillows for my son and I.You used to only be able to purchase these pillows with a prescription through a PT, but now they are available at retail stores like Bed bath & Beyond and maybe even J.C. Penney. Try it. You'll be hooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
It'sMyLife Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Thank, Flop!Darcy,if you have some hypermobility then it is worth getting evaluated for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, not everyone displays all the signs. In the UK the diagnosis is made by rheumatologists but I think in the USA people usually see a geneticist for the diagnosis. It is probably worth getting checked out.Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njfainter42 Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Thank, Flop!Darcy,if you have some hypermobility then it is worth getting evaluated for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, not everyone displays all the signs. In the UK the diagnosis is made by rheumatologists but I think in the USA people usually see a geneticist for the diagnosis. It is probably worth getting checked out.FlopCheck out the therapeutica endorsed by the Am. Chiro Society http://www.therapeuticainc.com/#...It really is comfy b/c of the raised sides for side sleepers and the indented middle in case you roll onto your back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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