I wish there was the perfect pillow out there, one that would mold to me each night and adjust to fit perfectly for that particular night's sleep. Alas, I haven't found it yet. Each night I seem to need something just a little different. The tempurpedic pillow was much too big (queen size and stretched my neck out too much and virtually lifted my shoulders off the bed; got a smaller one and it just didn't work well either). My miscellaneous regular pillows (all in various medium ratings) work okay, but I usually use a down pillow along with them, so I can tuck and fold it in to support my neck. Incidentally I sleep on my side almost exclusively with a small percentage of the time spent on my back.

Most down pillows aren't really meant to provide enough support for your head all night. The Europeans use their pillows, the square ones, folded in half, to provide added support (they really do use them; not just to look pretty on the bed with shams the way we do). What I like about the down is you can mold and fold it to fit a particular position, or add it to your medium pillow to support your neck (or in my case to support my neck while wearing my wraparound icepack; otherwise my neck would be at a very strange angle on the pillow). In some cases I make a down/regular pillow tempurpedic pillow configuration (the one with the neck support on it), but it's gentler on my neck because the support is the down.

You may want to try one or two different pillows together, especially when working with down. Try putting the down under or on top of your regular pillow (I find it most helpful on top of my regular pillow so I can adjust it at night for comfort, usually unconsciously). That may help provide your neck and head some added support and keep your spine aligned.

Of course this all assumes you sleep on your side or back. If you're a stomach sleeper, all bets are off and the down pillow is about all you should be using (and need to adjust your sleep habits because it's a dreadful position to lie in for hours, stressing your head, neck and back).

Happy experimenting!

When I am in pain, there is NO pillow or position that is comfortable or right. It has to pass or be medicated with my arsenal of narcotic meds.

I will never forget the first migraine I had. I thought my brain was trying to squeeze its way out. I eventually passed out with meds. I woke up a few hours later and I called my doctor. That was when I really began to research my injury ( a concussion ) and the symptoms that remain called Post Concussive Syndrome. The headaches or pain mirrors migraines. I have been told that my neurological system is out of wack now.

ggrrr, pillows are terrible, if you find a good one it wont last long before it wears out or your husband steals it. hahahha.. I have to use a variety at night as well, a good quality fiber one for the bottom, to cushion my shoulders, then a good feather one the I throw into the drier once in a while to fluff up and get rid of any down dust. I have it arched down the back of my neck for support and I use a fat pillow to cuddle in front so I dont roll out of my comfort zone. when my neck is really bad I ice it and then use a soft cervical collar to sleep in, it fills in the curve of my neck for when the pillow keeps flattening out. It does help lots to ice my neck before bed when it is bad though, it numbs it long enough to at least fall asleep.
I have to replace my feather pillow at least every other year.. or it gets too flat.

These comments have been very helpful. Folding the pillow is a good idea for me as well as adding ice when things are really bad.

I was away the past 10 days and flew on Southwest Airlines. They no longer give you a pillow and a blanket (but you get to check two free suitcases). Those seats are not comfortable at all for my neck.I bought a pillow for the flight home which helped.

I sleep on ONE regular hypoallergenic pillow, or two VERY flat ones. Too much "puff" causes my neck to get out of wack and I get a headaches. I also sleep on my side sometimes, so I spend most of the night moving the pillow under my head when I am on my side, and throwing it to the bottom of the bed, when I am on my back. I cannot sleep on my belly. INSTANT headache.

Down is a no no for me, due to allergies, and it is just too soft. I used to like "QuallowFill" pillows, but haven't been able to get them for years.

I also have a lot of small "pretty" throw pillows on the bed, for looks. But, I often use them for extra support for my knees or other parts of my body when I need them. I wash them frequently.

I have been using a waterfilled pillow for the last 5 years (I have replaced it once). My physiotherapist first suggested it and also they sell them at my chiropractors' office. The brand of my pillow is called "Chiroflow" and they cost about $50-60. It is definately worth it because it supports my neck better than any other pillow I have tried. It is like a regular pillow but it has a plastic interior "bag" that you fill with water. This way you can adjust the support and height of the pillow to fit you by adding or removing water. This has not completely elimnated morning headaches but it helps.

I also find it tough to get comfortable at night and find my upper back and shoulders ache once I lie down so I also have a 3" memory foam on my mattress and it is great.

I like the subject like. Talking for a few minutes at night to your honey is always a nice thing when you can.

Back to the real subject at hand. I have a tempurpedic matress and two of their pillows (cheaper costso version) . I like them so much that it is hard to get sleep on any other. I always sleep on my back as if I sleep on my back I will be doing the sleep apnea thing and the dream / halucinations that come with it bother me too much. My migraine frequency went up a lot again the past few weeks but without my pillows, which my daughter is always trying to steal lol, it would be worse.

I only have a hard time locating the taller side as these are the shaped kind where one side is meant for sleeping on your back (shorter bump) and the opposite side is for leeping on your side (taller side for neck support).

Wishing you all a pain free day / night

Jag

Wow - I actually thought I was the only one who had pillow problems lol. What a nightmare they are! I have fibromyalgia and M.E. as well so getting comfortable is pretty hard anyway, and always have trouble with my neck and getting support there.

I have many pillows. I have a V-shape pillow, and various others. I have a wheat pillow which can be heated, and a neck pillow filled with tiny foam beads like you'd use for travel.

But I find too many of these things put too much pressure on my neck, and lead to pain.

I've had neck X-rays and apparently because of the tension in my neck the curve has reduced. I do use cold packs too, and can only lay on my side. I'm desperate for relief.