Pillow for Chiari

[Bendaparty]

My sister is diagnosed with Chiari 1 Malformation and can't find a pillow that doesn't hurt her back of neck when sleeping. Does anyone have suggestions?  She currently has a temperpedic pillow and it hurts her. I have been reading all the discussions on this site and has helped me help my sister. Thank you all for giving your inputs here.  Brenda

[frankie_rush]

I feel for your sister, cause it took me over a year to find one that helps.  I had fusion surgery along with my Chiari.  I have 4 rods in my neck so no movement for me.  I was using a pillow of a couch that you lay back on like a throw one but alot bigger.  Then I tried several different ones contour to memory foam.  I am very picky when it comes to my pillows.like the little bear says not to hard not to soft just right.  I found one at Targets for $15 it was a memory foam but it was the right height and firmness.  So I hope your sister can find one.  You are adorable to help her.  I do uderstand, my sister lives in NC and me in TN.  I would buy her a truck full if it would help her.

[Fri3ndz]

My best pillow is the neck pillow for travel.  The open space is where my neck is so I feel no pressure.  The donut cradles my skull so I slept on my back.  I can reverse it to sleep prone for about 20 minutes.  When I sleep on my side the donut supports my forehead and jaw.  I spent extra for the memory foam.  Everyone is different:   Nothing touches my neck if I want to sleep.

[tanzvette]

Lord have mercy, I can truly understand what you are going through. My doctor placed me on depakote, it worked for a moment then I start getting the restless leg syndrome. He put me on a NSAID and it helped but now my back is hurting. No matter what I try no complete sleep. I can sleep for 12 hours straight and get up still tired as if I didnt sleep at all. If only I too can find a way to stay completely still while I sleep my days would be so much better.

[derek1983]

I found a memory foam pillow with neck contour at sears that has helped me good luck to your sister it took me a lot of searching to find one even going to the store and laying on them when nobody was looking lol

[girlinxile]

I too use a contour pillow with a soft pillow over it. It is the only thing I can tolerate. Sleeping is one of my biggest issues. Either I can't get any (I am starting to think it may be the Lyrica), or I sleep WAY TOO MUCH (which happened a lot before the Lyrica...lol) or I wake in pain almost every single day. Getting comfortable is such a challenge but if I go out of alignment while I sleep I wake up miserable... If only I could find a way to stay completely still while I sleep..lol And good luck :) It is so sweet of you to be looking out for her like this!!

[selmaS]

  Hi,....I feel this is a personal thing as not everyone likes the special Chiari pillow or the price....I tried a few and found a 9.99 one at Target which was called a refluffable pillow was perfect for me, plus for surgery and post op I used a Homedics pillow that was a lumbar pillow but it worked great for me.

Here is a like to older threads on this topic there may be links to pillows u may want to check out.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/search/257?utf8=%26%23x2713%3B&query=chiari+pillow

[FlowerGirl123]

My Grandma sent me a "My Pillow" and I love it. Before then I had tried so many different pillows, trying to find one where I could actually sleep without pain.

[RheaAnn]

I bought the Chiari pillow. It was about $70. It contains foam that is cut up into small pieces. It has a zipper so you can add or take out the filling to adjust. The pillow can be molded to how you want by moving the foam around. I like mine! Google Zipperhead or Chiari pillow.
I hope she finds relief! Your sister is lucky to have you!
Rhea

[desertstorm2009]

Hi Brenda....
I use a contour pillow with a very soft, light feather pillow on top. This is the ONLY thing that helps me. Good luck. What a great sister you are :-) Lisa