Pillows that allow sleep on side with arthritic shoulders

WishI'dReadSooner

I have SEVERE problems getting a decent nights sleep. I've never been able to sleep on my back or front.

I have shoulders that are arthritic - one of them I've had a complete rotator cuff repair 10m ago - the other needs same op. when the one that's had surgery recovers - if ever!

I just cannot sleep on front or back and find I'm waking up numerous times in the night (IF I get off to sleep at all) having to change position as my shoulders are hurting.

I've tried different types of memory foam pillows but often there is too much or too little memory foam filling in them so my neck suffers too.

At the moment I'm sleeping with 1 'normal' pillow each side with a memory foam only pillow resting on top across them (the type that has one thicker end to go under your neck). This gives me some sleep without my head turning too much upwards.

The trouble is that during the night the pillows move so I'm still waking up seems like every hour on the hour.

There have to be some people out there that are as badly affected as me - Have any of you any suggestions as to pillows that would allow me a decent nights sleep?

I'm getting tired of buying pillows that are of no use to me as they offer less comfort than my botch jobs. Pillows are something you can't return - unless someone knows differently?

Can anyone help?

Just to add the consultant gave me steroid shots in both shoulders a week ago. I SHOULD be feeling some relief with these IF I could just get comfortable and have decent nights sleep. The lack of decent sleep and the waking up in pain is really affecting me.

Nile

WishI'dReadSooner wrote: »

At the moment I'm sleeping with 1 'normal' pillow each side with a memory foam only pillow resting on top across them (the type that has one thicker end to go under your neck). This gives me some sleep without my head turning too much upwards.

The trouble is that during the night the pillows move so I'm still waking up seems like every hour on the hour.

The lack of decent sleep and the waking up in pain is really affecting me.

If I found a temporary solution as you have, I'd try to make it permanent.

I'd put the pillows in the correct positions and then attach strips of velcro onto them at the point where they join the adjacent pillow. The velcro should ensure that the pillows won't move during the night.;)

You could try the velcro suggestion with self adhesive velcro first to see if it works. If it does stop the pillows moving, make the velcro more permanent by sewing the velcro onto the pillow(s).

I hope it works for you and you get some restful sleep soon.

Regards

Nile

bcl999

Was going to suggest here (as I knew aboutt heir 60day return thingy)
http://uk.tempur.com/ but when I read the T&C small print, pillows only covered when bought with a mattress! Sorry!

Barneysmom

Oh I wish!
I bought 4 Dorma side-sleep pillows thinking that as they weren't cheap they would be ok. But a few months later I've had to put the 2 inside 1 pillow case, as they're crushed already.

Pillows these days are rubbish, they don't last 5 minutes, even the feather ones seem to be mean on stuffing and go all floppy.

It might be better to use your own design in a more permanent way?

The 2 memory foam ones I got from Dunelm a couple of weeks ago slide about so much, and are too high so I've put them on the spare bed

To find a pillow that works, and lasts more than 6 months seems to be impossible.

bcl999

Barneysmom wrote: »

Pillows these days are rubbish, they don't last 5 minutes, even the feather ones seem to be mean on stuffing and go all floppy.

Yes, you are right. The only ones I find last a while are the Dunlopillo Latex. Although they are expensive to buy in the first place, for me they work out cheapest as they last years & years.

jenniewb

I've not looked into this at all so apologies if I don't know what I'm going on about or its not possible- but just wondered if it was worth asking the charities involved with arthritis if they had any links or knew of anyone who could help.

I'd imagine if what you need exists, its likely that it would still be a problem to get just right for you and I'd wonder if you maybe need something made just for you with your specific measurements which is why I'd wonder if they may have links as to who if anyone could do this.

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information.aspxcould be one site worth asking.

I have a problem which is by far as bad as yours but I still adapt my pillows to help. I can't often sleep on my back because I have problems breathing, feels like my throat closes in and I wake up choking so I sleep on my side. I get neck ache if my head is unsupported and also don't like a face full of pillow so sleep on the outter edge of the pillow so I can breathe! (I hope that all makes sense).

What I do to remedy that is have two pillows and the top pillow I fold over the last 10 or so inches under so it forms a sort of firm ridge I can sleep on. Over time the pillow weakens and you end up needing a new pillow, for me thats fine but I guess it depends on what you need and want.

I would say try the memory foam pillows because they are firmer and less "fluffy". Many brands make memory foam pillows but there can be big differences between the brands so if possible try them out first, if you go to any of the big bed brands or even John Lewis/House of Fraiser and so on you can try some of the pillows out to see if they work for you.

WishI'dReadSooner

Nile - I've tried velcro but I think I possibly move about too much as pillows ended up apart even with Velcro - which isn't easy to sew onto pillow itself so had to be put onto pillowcases BUT if you've got larger cases they move about so defeating the carefully constructed design . I also seem to end up on the bristly side which ain't to pleasant. I've even sewn pillow cases and material into odd shapes to stuff pillows/parts of pillows into in the hopes they stay in place. You'd just not believe how many pillow cases and sheeting material I've used trying to get something that works.

I STILL can't find a decent solution.

Memory foam at the moment (in the middle - one solid curved lump which was the first memory foam one I ever bought & I have NO idea where I got that as I'd like to get another) is what I keep going back to BUT there is SUCH difference in the brands and the grades of foam - none of the pillows I've bought tell you what grade foam they use. Often the packaging doesn't even let you get at the pillow to try and feel what it's like - too firm or too soft.

I've been trying to find some memory foam pillows that use granules of memory foam in them BUT have had no success. I believe there are some out there, SOMEWHERE, but I'm damned if I can find them.

I thought IF I could find these then I could make my own pillow cases and fill them to a density that suits in a shape that suits me.

If anyone could help me find these OR the loose decent quality memory foam granules I'd be eternally grateful.

Jenniewb - I've got through so many pillows in the last few years you'd not believe it. I have a stack of assorted pillows by the side of the bed as some nights even my botched up ones just don't seem comfortable so I change the side ones over.

I'm just thankful I didn't throw out the first memory foam one I bought MANY years ago as this is what I'm using to get some sleep now. I initially used it years ago, under my back when I shattered my elbow to stop me turning over in bed. I never thought that years later it'd be my salvation as when I bought it I thought it was worse than dreadful to use as a pillow.

jenniewb

WishI'dReadSooner wrote: »

I've been trying to find some memory foam pillows that use granules of memory foam in them BUT have had no success. I believe there are some out there, SOMEWHERE, but I'm damned if I can find them.

I thought IF I could find these then I could make my own pillow cases and fill them to a density that suits in a shape that suits me.

If anyone could help me find these OR the loose decent quality memory foam granules I'd be eternally grateful.

Jenniewb - I've got through so many pillows in the last few years you'd not believe it. I have a stack of assorted pillows by the side of the bed as some nights even my botched up ones just don't seem comfortable so I change the side ones over.

I'm just thankful I didn't throw out the first memory foam one I bought MANY years ago as this is what I'm using to get some sleep now. I initially used it years ago, under my back when I shattered my elbow to stop me turning over in bed. I never thought that years later it'd be my salvation as when I bought it I thought it was worse than dreadful to use as a pillow.

Not sure if this was the memory foam pillow you mentioned?: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silentnight-Memory-foam-core-pillow/dp/B006DDG90S/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1337564342&sr=1-1

I have one similar if not the same, got mine from Sainsburys I think some time last year.

In terms of memory foam granuals, I don't know if this would exist, I doubt the pillow would 'work' and so they wouldn't make it, if it were available I'd expect someone like Tempur or John Lewis to sell them and they don't. It is worth knowing though that a pillow with a memory foam core will be different to that which is memory foam entirely, try John Lewis or bed shop sellers as I've mentioned in my post above, they will let you try them first. Also try the link I suggested above, if there is anything which can be hand made to your specifications I'd expect the charity to know about them if not the forums on the site would.

WishI'dReadSooner

I've bought a few core ones - they are pretty uncomfortable. I think I have bought the Silentnight one. I've got quite a few solid memory foam ones BUT the grades of the memory foam are so utterly different - some are like sleeping on concrete, some are too soft to support anything.

I can remember I think it was Tim - a bed seller who was raving about memory foam granule ones BUT I'm damned if I can find them anywhere.

Guess a trip around bed shops is my next port of call - in the hopes they have loads I can try. Maybe I should just butcher the useless ones I've bought and try and make up my own frankenstein pillow? LOL

wensday

http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/comfort-zone-hollowfibre-firm-support-pillow-91917

I love this one, comfort zone hollow fibre firm from dunelm, really supportive. Have converted half my family onto them!

ismeval

I also have arthritis in neck and also at the moment rotator cuff problems - so sleeping is not too good at the moment ... I prefer the shaped memory foam ones, but found it is better to buy an expensive one than a cheap one as they seem to be too hard ... also I alwaysmake sure it is the proper pillow size as some places are selling smaller ones which are no good for sleeping don't like the ones with memory foam just in the middle - very uncomfortable ... I have also used box edged pillows as they fit under your neck and support it - the best one I bought a few years ago at a stitchiing show was a sprung box edged pillow with metal springs - sounds horrendous - but the best pillow I every had - worn out now and have tried all over to get another with no success - so if anyone sees one please let me know ..
Valerie