pillow survey for post-op sleep!

[pdxmomof3boys]

I know we had a few people make suggestions about pillows, but I haven't had any luck finding a good one to sleep on at night. The U shaped airplane pillow isn't comfy in bed, but is ok on the couch. I am waking up in the morning feeling really bad because of how poor my pillow is. Suggestions will be so HELPFUL! The type of pillow, where you found it, and approx how much it cost would be awesome! OR what you do in addition to the pillow to help you get comfy with the awful healing scar on the back of your zipperhead :)

[pdxmomof3boys]

Thanks you all! I have been waking up in terrible pain each morning all week, so I figured maybe it was my pillow? I don't know. kind of at my wit's end here! I'll let you all know how it works out ;)

Rosemarie

[northernstarmn]

this was a big issue for me
i have one pillow my head just sinks into and was perfect before chiari.
then chiari and i couldnt use the pillow for my head.  i use to be a belly sleeper so the pillow was good and moveable..lol... anyway
since surgery it was hard to find the right one.. i went to bed bath and beyond and bought the wedge 29.99 and 2 new pillows at target for $7.00 each
which worked wonders,the only problem i had was i kept sliding off the sucker.
so i got those things made for cabinets no slip grip things and put them on the wedge under my pillow and that worked pretty good.

i used memory foam pillows which were just awful for me and caused me more harm then good.  

while we can make suggestions as to what works for us we are all different and no 2 people will be alike i think you will have to find what is right for you,your head/neck, and sleeping positions

[Devin215]

I just got the memory foam pillow from overstock.com and since my incision is healed it is great i love it... it was $27 for 2 and maybe something to consider for neck support once your incision isnt sensitive anymore?

[redkim]

I like my temperpedic pillow it gives me the right amount of support.  After surgery it was a blessing!

[selmaS]

Rosemarie...I did not put my incision directly on the pillow and that is y  I liked mine so much...it is not the typical bed pillow shape and so when u lie on ur side and put ur head down...the incision is not against nething.....for added support I did have a pillow behind my back to keep me from rolling...and I must say the idea was the nurses in the hosp.

I hope u find something that works for u...I also got a new bed pillow and use it when ever I am going on a long drive...it is from target and it is  9.99 and called a re shapeable pillow...very fluffy works great at this stage of post op : )

[pdxmomof3boys]

Thanks you guys! I just didn't want to spend a fortune if there were more cost effective methods out there that are working :) I think I may check out Khols -- my aunt send a memory foam pillow to my house for me to try, but it was not pleasant with the incision where it is. Think I just personally need the softer touch of the filled pillows maybe? I used to sleep standing up from being exhausted before surgery, but now I find myself laying awake from discomfort and mymind's racing! That hasn't happened in forever! Lots of adjusting to my new self -- the most common thing I hear anymore is, "Girl, what did they DO to your BRAIN!" It's like a light turned on behind my eyes and burned the fog away :) My hubby just compared me to George Carlin...still trying to figure out if it was a compliment :)

Rosemarie

[*Stormy*]

I have been using a memory foam pillow, pretty much just a square piece of foam. I noticed quite a lot of difference at the beginning but now post-op I am thinking I may need to try something different too, I am interested in the chiari pillow so I am going to try to find that link..not sure if I can get it in Canada though..

As for the incision, I really didn't find much helped other than ice packs but I could only tolerate those a few minutes at a time..pretty much time was the only thing that worked..

[ChiariWolf]

I've not tried the chiari pillow. However, a few others have been intoxicated with my restless nights. The best pillow thus far for me has been the ones they sell at Kohl's department stores. It's a fiber fill pillow, 27 oz fill. The relief was instant in fact I 'normally' sleep through the night with this thing. They often have a 2 for one sale with these pillows.

On the down side, my first pillow was purchased around June 09 and is pretty much wore out now. Still a nice pillow but it has flattened out somewhat. To me that's a bit of a short lifespan. I must admit though it's seen a lot of use since the surgery in Sept. perhaps more than normal???
The Chiari pillow may outlast it enough to warrant the extra cost???

Wolf

[selmaS]

HI...there is a chiari pillow.....we have a link to the site in the health pages and the thread of the Health Page links.

I had the best pillow and still use it......it is made by Homedics and it looks like half a cylinder...flat on one side...round on another.....it is  memory foam....

My DD bought me the pillow for my Birthday...and it was purchased in a dept store.

"selma"