Ow my neck!

[Juliebove]

A few weeks ago, I replaced all of our bed pillows with some gel pillows from Target. I don't really know what the "gel" part is. They weren't expensive and if I have to replace them in 6 months, I won't be upset. But for now they are really comfortable.

I also sleep with a GERD wedge and put the bed pillow on top of that. I find that the GERD wedge just doesn't give me enough elevation for my head.

However, for the past two nights, I have had a problem. I find with my mask on, I have to lay flat on my back or sort of on my side with my hand under my head. Any other position causes the mask to leak. But when I have been laying in either position like this, my neck cramps up painfully.

The only thing I can figure is that I've been spending too much time in bed. For some reason I am just bone weary exhausted. Daughter is on quarantine from the school because of a cough so she has been home for the past two days. She had other symptoms the first day so stayed in bed and I went back to bed after breakfast. So that's my excuse there, but the day before that she was at school and I didn't awaken until nearly 3 in the afternoon. Even then I wasn't fully awake.

I don't know what the problem is. We might both have some sort of bug. We've both had a sore throat off and on and something does seem to be going around. I'm pretty sure it's not the dreaded swine flu (but school is not allowing anyone with a cough to go to school), and it might even just be allergies. Our eyes have been really itchy and we've been sneezing a lot.

So perhaps staying in bed for so long is making my neck stiff. I had whiplash due to a car accident many years ago and my neck has never been the same since. Mainly I just have limited movement in it. When my husband is driving he will often tell me to turn my head and look at something behind us. I literally can't. If I am driving and need to see behind me (aside from what I can see in the mirror), I have to sort of lift my body up a bit and turn from the body to look behind me. Then again my mom and best friend describe the same sort of neck problem and neither of them have had whiplash. I also have psoriatic arthritis and fibromyalia, so I don't know the exact cause. I guess for the most part I'm just used to it. But the pain the last couple of nights has been no fun.

Due to the GERD, I can't take any pain meds aside from Tylenol which I find for the most part is useless. And I can't use any pain relieving creams/gels because they all seem to give me a rash. Grrr... I guess I'm not really looking for answers here. Just venting. As my mom always says, "This too shall pass."

[dels]

I really do hope that you feel better soon. I find heat helps me the most for pain. I take a hot bath or shower and then I crawl into bed and place a heating bag on the sore areas, it helps alot for me. At least makes me feel better and comfy. I hope tonight goes better for you.

[Juliebove]

Oh duh! I didn't even think to use the heating pad. Thanks!

[LSAT]

Why not eliminate the wedge and just raise the head of the bed by putting blocks under the legs. I think you will find it much more comfortable. We have had our bed raised 5" for the past 7 years without problems. I use a contour foam pillow which I find very comfortable with my mask.

[Juliebove]

I can not raise the head of the bed because I also have to elevate my legs. I don't want my whole body to be on a slant. Feet have to be above the heart.

[Marietjie]

So perhaps staying in bed for so long is making my neck stiff

...... Oh, yes I think so too - even when I'm sick or after operation, I dare not stay in bed. My body gets so stiff and sore. Julie, when you lie on your side, I recommend you put a large pillow against your back. For me this takes away the pressure on the neck and you feel relaxed. Sincerely hope you guys feel better very soon. Have some chicken soup ! ! ! GoodDay

[Juliebove]

So perhaps staying in bed for so long is making my neck stiff

...... Oh, yes I think so too - even when I'm sick or after operation, I dare not stay in bed. My body gets so stiff and sore. Julie, when you lie on your side, I recommend you put a large pillow against your back. For me this takes away the pressure on the neck and you feel relaxed. Sincerely hope you guys feel better very soon. Have some chicken soup ! ! ! GoodDay

I do have a body pillow. I will try that.