Pillow for sore shoulders/side sleeper

The Choker · Post by **The Choker** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:57 pm

After reading so much here about positional sleep apnea I know that my case requires avoidance of backsleeping. I can see in the software that I do much better on my sides.

I find it difficult to position my head comfortably on the pillow without driving the mask deep into my face and my shoulder hurts. What kind of pillows do you use to help this situation?

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:35 pm

--a softer pillow?
Not trying to be glib; but I use my pillow to help secure the down side of my full face masks.
I do use a scrap of fuzzy fleece on the 'down' side to eliminate the strap mark (I tacked it to the headgear)
Maybe if we knew what kind of mask. . . ?

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:34 pm

I use a standard contour pillow that I purchased from Kohls...About $25. I am a side sleeper with a FF mask.

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:43 pm

carbonman wrote:Here you go.

carbonman wrote:I'm a side sleeper and pillow slasher.
I use UM FFM, exclusively.
I've tried every pillow out there.....
this is the best, IMNSHO.
Memory foam pillow purchased wherever you can find it on sale,
modified to my specifications. Side cutouts fit the mask,
cutout in the middle fits onto your shoulder to hold it in place.
Works very well.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 6:51 pm

I carved a foam pillow into a nice butterfly shape, but it was too tall and stiff,
and gave me a sore neck when I slept on my back--but didn't prevent me from doing so.
Then I learned the trick with the soft pillow, so the rest of my pillow collection takes up space in the closet.
I had thought about buying a contoured pap pillow, but I can't justify yet another failure.
Besides, I need the room for my clothes.

RocketGirl · Post by **RocketGirl** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:25 pm

My neck is a mess, so I switch from side to side a couple times each night. I alternate two pillows. One will be comfortable for a week or two, then the pressure points will get to me and I'll need to switch to the other. But I've been switching the same two and their identical successors for several years and they both work with my mask.

They are both weird looking. The first is this "therapeutic pillow" which is memory foam with curves and cutouts and bumps in all the right places. It fits in a normal king-size pillow case.

The second one (please don't laugh, oh, ok, go ahead, laugh) is this dog toy, which is just the right size and shape to cradle my neck (and I peek my mask over the notch in the end). I tend to put this one on top of a thin down pillow. It is fleece and very comfy for the winter.

(So far, I have not set off the squeaker!)

retrodave15 · Post by **retrodave15** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:39 pm

RocketGirl wrote: The second one (please don't laugh, ok, go ahead, laugh) is this dog toy, which is just the right size and shape to cradle my neck (and I peek my mask over the notch in the end). I tend to put this one on top of a thin down pillow. It is fleece and very comfy for the winter.

My beagle who shares the middle of the bed would steal the dog toy, but a great re-purpose of a toy

On a more serious note - I have the sobakawa http://www.amazon.com/Sobakawa-Cloud-Pi ... d_sim_hg_3

I can move the beads around, make a place for the mask and sleep on my side no problem. Plus I only paid $20 at Bed Bath and Beyond.

RocketGirl · Post by **RocketGirl** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:58 pm

retrodave15 wrote: My beagle who shares the middle of the bed would steal the dog toy, but a great re-purpose of a toy

It would be a hoot to see the beagle try - this thing is about two feet long and 6 inches across at the narrowest part. I was concerned that my elkhound would claim it when I brought it home, but it didn't even register with him.

Chunkyfrog, I used to get Comforel pillows because they were so soft and moldable and stayed whatever shaped I punched them into. I haven't been able to find them for years, and I mourn their passing.

retrodave15 · Post by **retrodave15** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:07 pm

RocketGirl wrote:
retrodave15 wrote: My beagle who shares the middle of the bed would steal the dog toy, but a great re-purpose of a toy
It would be a hoot to see the beagle try - this thing is about two feet long and 6 inches across at the narrowest part. I was concerned that my elkhound would claim it when I brought it home, but it didn't even register with him.

Chunkyfrog, I used to get Comforel pillows because they were so soft and moldable and stayed whatever shaped I punched them into. I haven't been able to find them for years, and I mourn their passing.

My Beagle is devious She would find a way

Are these the Comforel pillows you are looking for? They are very popular in the hotel pillow lines.

http://www.pacificpillows.com/ducopi.html

RocketGirl · Post by **RocketGirl** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 9:16 pm

retrodave15 wrote: Are these the Comforel pillows you are looking for? They are very popular in the hotel pillow lines.

http://www.pacificpillows.com/ducopi.html

Whatwhatwhat what WHAT?!? They still exist?!?

They disappeared from department stores and big box stores years ago, and no one could even special order them for me. I cannot tell by looking, but if it's the same fiber was called Comforel in the 1990's, then these are the ones. I see they're a bit pricey (which fits if they're mainly for the hotel trade) but it is worth a try because they were comfortable like nothing else ever was, so I am placing an order in less than a New York Minute. THANK YOU!!!

Starlette · Post by **Starlette** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:53 pm

For a FFM, I'm using the UM FFM as the dominant mask. Randomly toggle between nasal and pillows. For a pillow, we use Temperpedic pillows that go along with our temperpedic bed. Hubby uses the side for back sleepers. I use the side for side sleepers. Really don't have issues with any of the masks. I normally sleep at the edge of pillow for the sake of the hose more than anything. As for leaks, just a tad for any of the 3 I use. Temperpedic pillows are not cheep, $99 x 2 I believe is what we spent.

I'll be bookmarking this thread in the event that I ever have to purchase another pillow, I may consider the one Rocketgirl was looking at.

Starlette

DoriC · Post by **DoriC** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 1:26 pm

RocketGirl wrote:
retrodave15 wrote: Are these the Comforel pillows you are looking for? They are very popular in the hotel pillow lines.

http://www.pacificpillows.com/ducopi.html
Whatwhatwhat what WHAT?!? They still exist?!?

They disappeared from department stores and big box stores years ago, and no one could even special order them for me. I cannot tell by looking, but if it's the same fiber was called Comforel in the 1990's, then these are the ones. I see they're a bit pricey (which fits if they're mainly for the hotel trade) but it is worth a try because they were comfortable like nothing else ever was, so I am placing an order in less than a New York Minute. THANK YOU!!!

http://www.pacificpillows.com/ducopi.html

Rocket, I remember them too! Would you order Medium/Soft or just Medium? I'm thinking the M/S may not give enough support? Thanks.

nobody · Post by **nobody** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:02 pm

I use a contour pillow, works well with the mask. I still get really sore arm muscles from lying on my side, though. I don't know why that is.

portiemom · Post by **portiemom** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:10 pm

I sleep on my stomach side, hard to describe, but toss from right to left all nite while on my stomach, I use a soft pillow I bought a bunch of them at Costco a few years ago they were recalled (who cares) they work for me. That said I would go to the fabric store, buy some material you love the feel of, flannel or something soft or sliky, then get some soft fiber fill and and make a pillow you can squish however you need. My hubby has sore shoulders (not a cpap user) so we got a fully LATEX mattress, not memory foam, the old type of latex used in the really old foam pillows of the 60's and 70's with my fibromylagia it is awsome, expenssive but worth it. Good Luck, but squishy pillows is the way to go IMHO.

Pillow for sore shoulders/side sleeper

Pillow for sore shoulders/side sleeper

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Re: Pillow for sore shoulders/side sleeper

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