PurSleep Regenesis Buckwheat Pillow Trial

[plr66]

I think PurSleep needs a consolidated thread of its own for this special pillow trial. Those of you who have provided feedback already on a couple of other threads, may want to post a note here with a link to what you have already written--or copy & paste, or write a more detailed report here after a few more days.

I am one who feels fortunate to have been selected to trial this pillow. Like others who have posted today, I've used it for 3 nights. I am completely a side-sleeper due to the necessity for this for my most effective cpap therapy. Used to be a stomach sleeper or semi-so, and truly miss that, but there has been no way to even consider that with the mask.

As background, I have a closet full of 6 different pillows I have tried and used since I started cpap 9 months ago. There is no question that preferences in pillows, like mattresses, are so completely different for each individual. My own experience included primarily the following--the 3 which lasted for more than 2 weeks:

--Target Shapeable Pillow ($13--which I loved for its comfy-ness, but which kept me awake all night with needing to punch it up every time I rolled over, to keep my mask on the "edge" so as not to be blocked or pushed out of position). Tried to make it work, but only lasted a few weeks. Just too high-maintenance during the sleep time.

--BigLots $12 contour memory foam pillow (the one they sell in a box). I immediately had to get extra foam cut to add 2" to the thickness of this pillow in order to avoid neck pain in the mornings. Again, I am a side sleeper, and so this pillow just needed that added height to avoid my shoulder curling under when on my side, and my head tipping out of allignment with my spine. With this modification, I have really liked this pillow a lot. Allows "perching" my mask over the edge of the pillow with fairly good support to my neck. However, I've noticed that after about 5-6 months of use (alternating with the next pillow), I feel like I need more height again to avoid a stiff neck.

PaPillow DoubleEdge ($65)--This pillow is almost perfectly shaped for side-sleeping with little mask-interference, and it is the pillow I have used equally with the Target pillow. It is very firm, and thus provides lots of support to your neck for proper allignment of your spine, as well. Over time, it has not compacted down. My only complaints have been that the width of the two "wings" is a bit too wide for me, and I have to become sort of awake to nudge over to the edge with my mask. Also irritating has been that my ears physically hurt from the pressure of side-sleeping on this firm a pillow. That has never resolved, even after 7-8 months of use.

TaDah!! Enter the PurSleep Regenesis Buckwheat Pillow. I am actually amazed. I had to adjust a bit during the first night, taking awhile to realize that it is not necessary to try to shove the sides up (in fact, that's counter-productive) to make a ledge for your mask on the edge of this pillow. Simply takes a smoothing motion of your hand over the hulls from top edge toward your neck, to get the hulls into a solidly supportive position that's comfortable. And the vertical side panels give a great solid edge which prevents any interference to your mask's CO2 vent. I just can't say how surprised I was at how easy this has been to achieve with this pillow. I've also had no pressure-pain to my ears. And due to the quilted cover, there simply is no sound-problem. A very slight crunch can be heard when moving from one position to another, but certainly not even an issue. I don't notice any smell unless I bury my nose in it before putting on my mask, but actually love the smell of the buckwheat. Reminds me of playing in an oat bin when I was a kid living briefly on a farm. Sort of a comfort food smell like bread, to me.

Bret, the primary recommendation I would make is that an extra 1-2 quarts of buckwheat be supplied with the pillow as the standard. As a side-sleeper, I find that I am wishing for that extra little bit of height, and do not believe it would make the pillow too firm. As your instructions indicate, folks can remove what they don't need.....but if they need to go out and find those few additional hulls to add, they may just write off the pillow as too much trouble to "get right." That would be me, I'm afraid. I wonder also if you can order zippers that have a lock on them to prevent their opening. I'm a seamstress, so know they exist. I've had a few hulls leak out just in the past 3 nights. Not a big deal. Just a suggestion. Lastly, although prices vary wildly on cpap pillows--and absolute garbage is sold for $60-$90--I'm thinking you might do well to offer this pillow at a slight price-edge, such as $50-$55. Not because it is worth less, but just to give you that edge. This product is wonderful. There is no question that knife-edge buckwheat pillows cannot equal the squared edges for proper support. You've done a great job with this, Bret, and I wish you well.

[twokatmew]

My initial comments on the Regenesis pillow:

viewtopic/t43019/viewtopic.php?p=380706#p380706

[mindy]

Hi,

I purchased the Regensis pillow a couple of months ago (not on trial) and briefly commented at the link below.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41000&p=359898&hili ... is#p359898

I previously used the "CPAP-Multi_mask_sleep-Aid_Pillow" for over a year but it would knock my nasal pillows mask out of line when I rolled over.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/CPAP-M ... illow.html

The Regenesis is much better in that respect and it's also more comfortable for me. I've previously tried memory-foam pillows and others and didn't sleep well with them.

Mindy

[FatiguedMe]

All I can say is I am in Heaven! Returned home from vacation to find my Pursleep Buckwheat Pillow had arrived. I slept with it last night, I kid you NOT it is very comfortable. You can move the pillow into position to account for mask. Last night was the first time my nasal pillows have not popped out of my nose! I also noticed they weren't being shoved up into my nose either.
I highly recommend this if you are looking for a Fantastic pillow. Will try it with my Quattro to see how it does, but I am not worried about it at all. Not too flat, not overly stuffed! I felt like my spine and neck were in line. Best of all, I felt like I actually was using my pillow all night! Thank you Pursleep!
My first pillow was the Cpap Pillow (foam) It is too low for me, and I had to sleep on the very edge to keep mask from hitting the sides. It comes with cutouts, supposedly to allow for mask!?! Being married, I hated that because I had to also sleep on the edge of bed just about (or so it felt like it) I can honestly say I am very disappointed with this pillow, which is also very pricey for something that didn't work for me. Guess I can cover it and let cat or dog use it as a pet bed now!

[Pugsy]

Copied from my comments in another thread.

I am trying one of SleepGuy's buckwheat pillows. 3 nights so far. Noise is not a factor for me. Between my fan and the machine, I don't hear the hulls moving. So far I will have to give it an A+. I had been using a wonder foam type of cervical pillow but the area for the neck support and dip for the head didn't quite conform to my neck and head size. With the buckwheat hulls I make my own cradle so I get just the right support for my cervical spine (lots of arthritis and a metal plate in it) and just the right hollowed out spot for my head. The ease in creating a hollowed out spot for the mask when I sleep on my side is just icing on the cake for me.

[SleepGuy]

plr, thanks for the detailed feedback! I honestly did not intend for this trial to turn into an infomercial of sorts because I'm really looking for as much criticism as possible so I can make adjustments before investing more in marketing, inventory, etc. It took me a year to develop this product and I'm pretty well sold on it and all of the feedback is extremely encouraging.

There's something very satisfying about finding something simple that really improves your actual quality of life and this is one of those things in my opinion. I see it as my best product yet because it works for everyone, including us apnea folk trying to manage the Mask.

Bret, the primary recommendation I would make is that an extra 1-2 quarts of buckwheat be supplied with the pillow as the standard. As a side-sleeper, I find that I am wishing for that extra little bit of height, and do not believe it would make the pillow too firm. As your instructions indicate, folks can remove what they don't need.....but if they need to go out and find those few additional hulls to add, they may just write off the pillow as too much trouble to "get right." That would be me, I'm afraid. I wonder also if you can order zippers that have a lock on them to prevent their opening. I'm a seamstress, so know they exist. I've had a few hulls leak out just in the past 3 nights. Not a big deal. Just a suggestion. Lastly, although prices vary wildly on cpap pillows--and absolute garbage is sold for $60-$90--I'm thinking you might do well to offer this pillow at a slight price-edge, such as $50-$55. Not because it is worth less, but just to give you that edge. This product is wonderful. There is no question that knife-edge buckwheat pillows cannot equal the squared edges for proper support. You've done a great job with this, Bret, and I wish you well.

In the planned format, the product will ship with 4 gallons of hulls packed in a separate bag. Your pillow shipped with about 3.25-ish gallons or 52 cups. Should it be more than 4 gallons total? The intent is to use the opportunity to provide the consumer with more than enough to use for other purposes, perhaps my neck pillow, or just to save to make up for compression.

I will check on the locking zipper and talk to the people who make it to see if there's something that can/should be done. I didn't know such a thing existed but the zippers are supplied directly from YKK so that shouldn't be a problem (at least the next time I order zipper material).

Thanks!

[Bert_Mathews]

Here are my Comments from yesterdays Holy buckwheat pillow..(Subject)
viewtopic/t43019/posting.php?mode=edit&f=1&p=380607

Note I have been using Bret's (Sleepguy) pillow for a few months and the design is BETTER than the two other buckwheat hull pillows I own... I wasn't convinced but willing to try his NEW item ..................... .............. IT IS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think he already has his CHALLENGE filled with volunteers -but- here is a link:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42825&hilit=pillow+challenge

Don't know what else to say JUST TRY Regenesis pillow from Pursleep................ You'll LOVE IT
BERT

HAVEN'T changed my mind & Think having ONE LINK / THREAD would be Real Handy for NEWBIES!

[DyannaK]

I have also used the Regenesis pillow for the last 4 nights and really like it alot. In the past I have used a contoured neck pillow, a memory foam pillow, a regular foam pillow and a cutout pillow. None of those work as well as the Regenesis pillow. The hulls are very easy to move around to conform to my head and mask and I dont feel like I am trying to force the mask to work with the pillow. The pillow is well made, I have had no leakage issues. My only suggestion is that a few extra pounds of hulls be included as I am also a side sleeper and feel that I need a small amount more support for my neck.

Thank you for the opportunity to try this pillow

[plr66]

In the planned format, the product will ship with 4 gallons of hulls packed in a separate bag. Your pillow shipped with about 3.25-ish gallons or 52 cups. Should it be more than 4 gallons total?

Not sure how to gauge this in either gallons or pounds. I'm guessing another gallon or gallon and a half should be added to the amount that I received in the pillow sent to me--which would bring it to a total of 4 3/4 gal. I'll have to research the forum to remind myself of what hulls to find and where to source them. Then I'll be able to better judge the amount that works best.

[SleepGuy]

In the planned format, the product will ship with 4 gallons of hulls packed in a separate bag. Your pillow shipped with about 3.25-ish gallons or 52 cups. Should it be more than 4 gallons total?

Not sure how to gauge this in either gallons or pounds. I'm guessing another gallon or gallon and a half should be added to the amount that I received in the pillow sent to me--which would bring it to a total of 4 3/4 gal. I'll have to research the forum to remind myself of what hulls to find and where to source them. Then I'll be able to better judge the amount that works best.

I was just playing with this today and four gallons is the same as five pounds. I am planning on using the five pound platform--seems to be more than enough even for hard core side sleepers....but any additonal thoughts would be appreciated.

[plr66]

I was just playing with this today and four gallons is the same as five pounds. I am planning on using the five pound platform--seems to be more than enough even for hard core side sleepers....but any additonal thoughts would be appreciated.

Let me first apologize for being so long-winded in my initial response. Was definitely not meaning to sound like an infomercial by any means. I was thinking you wanted a comparison report with other pillows. And I really do like this pillow!

I can understand your wanting to keep the weight to a certain max for shipping reasons, Bret. But I'm curious how the pillow fills out with four gallons of hulls, and your conclusion that this will be "more than enough even for hard core side sleepers." Does it bring the pillow to be completely full? Puffed up at all? Or still sunken a bit from the squared side panels?

[twokatmew]

Bret, the sheet that came with my pillow says it has over five pounds of hulls. I haven't weighed it, but whatever it's got is just right for me. Re hulls escaping the zipper.... I always put my pillows into the case zipper side first, so I had to remove the pillow case to see if hulls had gotten loose. Despite the zipper having opened a tiny bit on the end, no hulls had escaped. Although the pillow case that comes with the Regenesis is really nice, I prefer to sleep on flannel. So my pillow is currently in a queen-size flannel case with the edges tucked under. I'm no seamstress by any means, so it would be nice if you offered a flannel pillow case that was made specifically for this pillow, i.e., with square corners.

The instructions also say I can wash the quilted pillow case after removing the hulls. It sure would be nice if the hulls were in a simple case within the quilted cover. That way I could wash the quilted cover without dealing with loose hulls.

Anyway, just a few thoughts.

[Hose_Head]

In the planned format, the product will ship with 4 gallons of hulls packed in a separate bag. Your pillow shipped with about 3.25-ish gallons or 52 cups. Should it be more than 4 gallons total?

Not sure how to gauge this in either gallons or pounds. I'm guessing another gallon or gallon and a half should be added to the amount that I received in the pillow sent to me--which would bring it to a total of 4 3/4 gal. I'll have to research the forum to remind myself of what hulls to find and where to source them. Then I'll be able to better judge the amount that works best.

I was just playing with this today and four gallons is the same as five pounds. I am planning on using the five pound platform--seems to be more than enough even for hard core side sleepers....but any additonal thoughts would be appreciated.

I'm not part of your comparision study, but I purchased a ReGenesis pillow last week. I really like it, but agree that about 1 more pound of buckwheat hulls would be nice.

I also concur with the thought about making additional pillow cases available. Ideally, I'd like the ReGenesis pillow to ship with two pillow cases, or at least allow purchase of a second one with the purchase of the pillow.

I'd also like to have a larger pillow. It's small size is probably my biggest beef with it.

Shipping costs due to weight of the pillow seems to be a problem. Have you considered making this excellent pillow available without the buckwheat hulls? The savings in shipping could be passed on to the buyer, making it much more affordable.

[SleepGuy]

Thanks to all.

Adding cases is not a problem, including a flanel case (hadn't thought of that--I'm gonna give that a try myself). I need to work on materials and supplier issues on this product in order to scale up production. This is getting a lot of interest from a variety of sources.

[FatiguedMe]

Thanks to all.

Adding cases is not a problem, including a flanel case (hadn't thought of that--I'm gonna give that a try myself). I need to work on materials and supplier issues on this product in order to scale up production. This is getting a lot of interest from a variety of sources.

Good Morning,
Day 3 for me with my new favorite pillow! I have also found the amount of hulls are just right. Bret this pillow is by far so much better than my Cpap pillow. No mask problems, great support, lines up neck and spine beautifully. Like I said above, the "foam" monster is very low. Thank you again for including me in this comparison.
By the way, could you perhaps make me a Purple pillow case <giggle> That is my favorite color! Would be happy to pay!