I also suffered that years ago. I like very soft pillows and slot of them to me they help with the pain now. After many years of testing out every positions any way as long as my pillows r very soft I find comfort
I don't know if it would help or not, but I have to sleep with The Original Contour Pillow. It tips my head back and keeps my neck happy like no other pillow. This one:
http://www.contourliving.com/p-32-original-contour-pillow.aspx
I do not like the other brands at all. This one has two different heights. Turn the pillow one of two direction for the neck support you prefer.