To my fellow GenX side-sleepers...

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165averagebowler@reddit

I think it is a combination of my body pillow and big a$$ boobs

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Pleasant-Minute-1793@reddit

I have a hiatal hernia (thanks dad!) and therefore reflux. So I have to basically only sleep on my left side and my left shoulder is cooked. It’s difficult to take my left arm, then raise it straight up overhead as a result.

Basically I’ve learned to be a back sleeper with pillows propped up to elevate my head. Basically kinda like a hospital bed angle but not necessarily super high - if that makes sense.

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LYL_Homer@reddit

Yeah, I used to have to go to a chiropractoer a couple of times a year. Apparently I was rotating my pelvis until the knee pillow use.

I brought my pregnancy body pillow out of storage this year. Best perimenopause decision I’ve made 🫠

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RelativeSuch6959@reddit

Purple Pillow is what prevents my arthritis from flaring up in my right shoulder. I got it on an incredible sale (aka buy x get pillows free) and I dread the day I will need to replace, but damn it, it works. And 2 body pillow so if i roll over viola! Pillow!

Also i sleep with a stuffed animal. Keeps my shoulders from over rotating.... doctor recommended i sleep with a pillow held to my chest...I got a stuffed animal that is firm and holds its shape better than a pillow.

So go ahead and judge me, I'll take my stuffed flying bison over arthritis pain any day.

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Xx_SwordWords_xX@reddit

Side sleeper with a Build-A-Bear for the same purpose. The problem is that I can't stop buying her pajamas.

I know NOTHING about this, but it’s intriguing:

karmacorn@reddit

I tried this hack for restless legs that was going around and it actually works.

mix_trixi@reddit

I was having this problem too and decided to fix it myself through PT exercises I found online. My insurance does not cover PT so I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands. I've been doing shoulder, hip and knee PT at home at least 3 times a week if not more and it rarely hurts anymore. For me, it's only my left shoulder but when I sleep on my right side, my damn hip and knee hurts from IT band issues. I cannot sleep on my back or else my lower back hurts when I wake up so I decided to just do PT on my whole freaking body. I think some people call this "working out" but I wouldn't know anything about that. A girl's gotta sleep though, right? I do at least half an hour of yoga every morning too and have been since lockdown, but the PT exercises are what really helped me. Also, I've got a little muscle tone in my arms now so that's cool too.

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Artistic-Degree-4593@reddit

I just rotate like a rotisserie chicken all night because nothing I do helps with the pressure point pain in my hip and shoulder. I get a headache if I try to sleep on my back regardless of what type of pillow I use, so side sleeping it is.

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spookybatshoes@reddit

I do the gas station hot dog roll.

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DookieDanny@reddit

Me too.

NamakMirch_@reddit

Which brand

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13_Years_Then_Banned@reddit

I’m not sure if you have ever heard of squishmallow stuffed animals. We have been using them as pillows for a few years because they’re so comfortable.

They recently came out with actual pillows made with the same material. I like the soft one but they sell medium and firm. Target carries them and they are absolutely the bomb.

Is that why my arm/shoulder has been cursed for over a year now, and no one’s really sure why?

I only sleep on my left side (damn u acid reflux), and have for 40+ years.

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WhichAddition862@reddit

Random question. If you do a straight leg sit-up is it very painful? If so I would suggest a cervical spine MRI

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akpak@reddit

I’ve had MRI on the shoulder, and cervical spine x-ray.

I’m not sure I even could do a sit-up of any kind with how shitty this arm/shoulder is.

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WhichAddition862@reddit

I’m sure this was asked, but has frozen shoulder been brought up? My husband went through that and they thought it was his spine. He did about 2 months of PT and felt relief after about 2 weeks. Now it’s completely gone. He does still incorporate the PT training into his workouts

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AlpineVW@reddit

Came here for the acid reflux. I was accidentally on my right side a couple times and that shit woke me up at 4am.

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mediweevil@reddit

I have always been a side sleeper, but between age and sports related injuries my shoulders are being a serious problem.

LaVida2@reddit

I sleep w/ so many pillows: one between the knees to balance out the hip area, one firm pillow to sleep on, two pillows on either side of the sleep pillow that provide some support for my neck and shoulders, and finally and front and back pillow

When I was waking up I was also having issues w/ numb arms and hands. Since I added all of these pillows I sleep much better.

What helps me with the 3am wakeups: 10mg gummy of THC/CBD/CBN about an hour before bed. (Check if it’s legal where you live, talk to your doctor if you have any health issues, and start with a smaller dose.) I might still wake up, but I can get right back to sleep instead of having anxiety spikes.

Along with all of that is navigating my cpap hose in my sleep. It's better than the alternative, but getting old sucks!

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64green@reddit

I have the same problem, shoulder and hip opposite sides. 😭

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brains_and_tits@reddit

Omg - I need these hacks - my 55 year old shoulders thank you all

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AngelHeart-@reddit

I started using buckwheat hull pillows decades ago.

I tried something different but no other type of pillow can satisfy me.

If anyone is looking for buckwheat hull pillows I buy mine from L-OMA. I love their backstory. Purchases are tax deductible.

I’m also considering creating a pillow using layers; maybe towels or weighted blankets.

I switched from a mattress and boxspring to a shikibuton on tatami mats in a tatami frame. Morning body aches and pains done the first night sleeping on this bed.

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idealmelissa@reddit

Buckwheat pillows have made such a huge impact on my shoulder pain as well as my neck arthritis.

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AngelHeart-@reddit

I read buckwheat pillows have the highest amount of microtoxins which is why I tried to switch.

I googled this again before commenting; might actually be endotoxins.

It’s my hips that feel it now….. as well as the shoulders.

All memory foam pillows when I'm on my side (I've always been mostly a back sleeper). I usually wake up and turn every 2 hours. If not, I'm likely in pain for days. Even if I fall asleep and wake up on my back, I'm usually in pain anyway.

OMG I sort of did this too! Tried to cross and a car came speeding down the block. I was 6. It was the first day of summer break. 😒. I was in a half body cast for several months. My parents had to actually buy a window unit A/C since I couldn’t go outside and run in the hydrant!

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hypothetical_zombie@reddit

Summertime in a cast is miserable!

thatotterone@reddit

I started sleeping on my back after a shoulder surgery. I was completely used to it.
a year later, I was back to side sleeping

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skullydog@reddit

Oh my god, this happened to me when I broke my foot and had to sleep with my leg straight and foot elevated. I basically stacked a ton of pillows on each side of my head to try and lean on as if I were sleeping on my side. It SUCKED!

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SantaTony65@reddit

I trained myself to sleep on my back.

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AgateHuntress@reddit

I tried that, and because I have a connective tissue disorder and too large breasts, the weight of my breasts gives me costochondritis. It's enough pain to pull me right out of a deep sleep -- feels kind of like a heart attack.

I went back to side sleeping, but using Squishmallows stuffed all around me to keep me from moving too much.

I nap by sitting up the couch, criss-cross applesauce, with a small Squishmallow behind my neck. It's pretty much the least painful position for me to sleep in for shorter periods of time.

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Routine-Airport-8075@reddit

Try a U shaped pregnancy pillow. I never got rid of mine after my son was born and I cannot sleep without it!

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AgateHuntress@reddit

They don't really work for me. With the Squishmallows, I can change them around to both keep me in place and support parts that are acting up. The stuffies aren't perfect, but they work pretty well for me. I only buy holiday Squishes after the holiday, so I've gotten all of mine for 50-70% off. I have a set for the couch and a set for bed.

If you're female and in perimenopause or menopause, 'frozen shoulder" is a thing that happens to us as our hormones dwindle. 😖🫠

I saw you don't have health insurance (fuck that entire system here in the US). Google: at home PT exercises for frozen shoulder. You could get back results you can do at home without special equipment.

It's called arm uner Her Pillow.

**WARNING** Ass attack incoming!!!

Once she feel you secure that arm shes coming in hot!!

And ive learned to withdraw at that moment so my boys arent cooked..

\~Back on topic\~ Arm under there only works for about 90 minutes.

after 2 hours your toast...

Then it's to the other side. rinse repeat. REM Sleep never interrupted..

\~\~The Remix\~ And this one is very Oldschool like 1st GF/1st apartment 90s oldschool.

You lay flat her head on your shoulder/chest. this is the Uno Reverse cause she too

That’s what wakes me up in the morning… my shoulders.

I went through 2 solid years of severe pain and frozen shoulders. It hurt so badly to sleep on my side but I had to. I was seen multiple times at the ER, urgent care, primary care, orthopedic specialist, and diagnosed with rotator cuff syndrome, frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries. Ortho & PT treatments never helped the pain and immobility only got worse with time.

I started HRT (bioidentical hormone replacement) for other reasons and my shoulders completely stopped hurting within the first month and have never hurt since.

Hormone decline is one cause of frozen shoulder and rotator cuff pain thats worth looking into for those it could apply to. It was never even mentioned or considered by any of my doctors or specialists but turned out to be the complete problem.

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Redebo@reddit

Are you a biological female by chance? Frozen shoulder SUPER common in GenX aged females. Source: My wife and her friends are constantly dealing w/ frozen shoulder and they're all recently post-menopausal.

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Stadium_hairpin@reddit

It’s the trigger fingers for me. I have had three hand surgeries in the last three years.

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I used one for a few months last summer after I fucked up my shoulder somehow. That, and sleeping on the floor were the only way I could get any rest.

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SusiSunshine@reddit

Until they find a way for us to detach our arms at night, I sleep on a pillow that has a u shaped cut out, and toss and turn a lot. I also sleep alone and hug a pillow for support.

I have read a few posts by people who learned to sleep on their back. Ugh. I suppose I should try.

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ShadowBitch42@reddit

Same here, I have found that even if I can get comfortable enough to sleep on my back (pillow ramp under knees, upper body elevated) my mouth falls open. Sooner or later I wake
up choking on air with every bit of my mouth and throat dessicated.

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AuroraDF@reddit

I bought a new mattress and pillows this year (John Lewis medium firm mattress with 2 medium soft pillows) - not drastically expensive but not cheap cheap. It's made a world of difference. I spent a year waking up with aching shoulders and collar bone, and now I'm fine.

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wyldstrawberry@reddit

What was your previous mattress like? I’m trying to figure out if my mattress might be causing my pain…

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AuroraDF@reddit

My most recent one was memory foam. I hated it. I toss and turn a fair bit, and so, my body would make a dent in the mattress, then I would turn over, but the dent would stay, so I wouldn't be able to find a comfy position as I'd be half in half out the previous dent.

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AveryCrow@reddit

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pyrrhicchaos@reddit

I use a Squishables stuffed animal as a support for my shoulder. They are the right size and firmness for me. I believe it has bought me years on getting my shoulder replaced.

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kentuckywildcats1986@reddit

how do you manage sleeping on your side and not tearing up your shoulders?

I have two king size pillows that get positioned in a way that supports my head and neck while making a nice spot for my shoulder. It is super comfortable.

Have been a side sleeper for my entire life. Also helps with my terrible back. (seven spinal surgeries so far)

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FelineOphelia@reddit

Yes this is what helped my husband. A cube shaped very high/thick pillow

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-raymonte-@reddit

OMG. My shoulders started bothering me about a year ago, every morning when I wake up. Thank you for this post and for all the comments! I’m going to try some of this stuff starting tonight!

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FelineOphelia@reddit

Use a really really thick pillow. It aligns your body better/creates more room for your shoulder to go

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stuck_behind_a_truck@reddit

I found some awesome solutions for managing pressure points. First was a latex mattress pad on Amazon (this one)that lived up to its reviews. 2” as enough for me. totally affordable and dreamy.

When I had to replace my mattresses, I found a reactive mattress (this one - super affordable compared to most current mattress prices. While it looks and is sized like a totally normal mattress, reactive mattresses are designed to work on regular or medical beds and thus to keep pressure points (and bed sores) to a minimum.

The only caveat is that, yes, the side does sink down when you sit in it. The edge isn’t firm. But the sleep quality for me makes up for this.

As someone who had a difficult rotator cuff injury (it took a really good sports surgeon to fix it) and who gets severe nerve pain on my left side, both of these solutions have been a godsend.

And to literally tip these off, I use a thick bamboo (for coolness) mattress cover.

As a kid I loved a really firm bed. I’ve definitely gone soft in my dotage!

My guests love my beds and sheets so I’m just going to share for grins. I swear I make no money off this and am not a shill. I’ve just worked really hard on making sure all my beds work for anyone. I don’t like the cheap “who cares” guest bed approach.

Mattress cover
Sheets - specifically the white. These are great for hot sleepers. My daughter says the colored sheets aren’t the same material. All of my guests raved about these sheets, and I’ve replaced all sheets in my household with them now.
Matresses for my TwinXL guest beds (but they have all sizes).

GoodRX (yeah, not the best source) has a summary article on it: https://www.goodrx.com/classes/statins/joint-pain

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Yes, my shoulders never hurt but I always put a pillow between my knees, supposed to be good for your lower back and my lower back rarely hurts, so I think there is something to it.

Never thought about it since it's never caused me any pain. Occasionally, I'll wake up with the needles feeling in my hand, but that goes away quickly.

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Psychological-Pay236@reddit

Perimenopausal & menopausal women have higher incidences of frozen shoulder than other groups. Who knew estrogen made such a difference?/s.

I always look forward to my hot morning shower, to loosen joints up.

sudrewem@reddit

2 works

Temper

Pedic

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everyoneisnuts@reddit

Which one do you have?

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cgram23@reddit

Couldn't tell you. I bought mine 20 years ago...still going strong. My guess is the base model. As long as you get the firm memory foam top, you should be good.

Bad news.....these give absolutely no bounce assist during naked time. Good news....you get more of a cardio workout.

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mps_1969@reddit

gif

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RadioactiveLily@reddit

I invested in an expensive memory foam pillow with a crescent shape for side sleeping. A GOOD pillow is worth every penny. Especially at our age. Lol

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fromamomof2@reddit

I am really trying to train myself to sleep on my back. Iv3 had a day or two of waking up and was useless for a few hours as my arms shoulder was asleep/hurt.

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Upbeat-Loss-1382@reddit

My son had gotten me a swan pillow a couple of years ago. It was amazing, and my pain went away. However, after about a year, I guess something broke down in it, and it started causing a rash and I had to throw it away. I now am having back and neck pain again. I am considering buying another one knowing that it will have to be replaced every year. It would probably be worth it.

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Temporary-Win4307@reddit

I alternate sides through out the night. Also I have a pillow that I hold in my arms and one between my legs.

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Whohead12@reddit

I just sleep like a toppled over t-Rex and it somehow works out.

What is this sleep you speak of?

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clauderbaugh@reddit

It's the thing we do between getting up and going to the bathroom.

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4l0N3D@reddit

You sleepwalk to the bathroom?

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Krytenmoto@reddit

I got an adjustable bed. Raise the legs a bit. Raise the head just a bit. I have a little dip for my hip and my spine is straight. I wake up with my back feeling fine. Now if I can find a place to put my arm where I won’t wake up with it numb.

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SaltyBlackBroad@reddit

Elevated back sleeper, here. Pain free

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hkusp45css@reddit

I sleep sitting up, these days.

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SaltyBlackBroad@reddit

I started out that way, then eventually bought a wedge pillow and then a "pyramid" pillow for under my knees so that all pressure points are alleviated. I totally get why some people sleep in recliners. There's no substitute for waking up pain free. I was a side sleeper my whole life until sports injuries made it impossible. It took my body just a few nights to accept back sleeping because there was no longer any discomfort. It's not a difficult transition. Sometimes my body will roll to one side *musclememory, maybe), but it doesn't last longer than a few minutes and then the brain remembers the pain. I seriously do not miss side sleeping because it's associated with pain, and my brain recalls and adjusts.

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hkusp45css@reddit

Yeah, sometimes I'll wake up rolled on my side, still weirdly sitting up, bt on my side.

I frequently wake up to pee with my shoulders screaming in pain. I tend to cross my arms in the side position so that doesnt help my wrists either.

BBennett40@reddit

Agree. Sleeping on my back is not an option.

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Original-Affect-4560@reddit

Side sleeper pillows for life!

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clutterdcollector@reddit

Shoulder is presently blown out....

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DistractedPoesy@reddit

I sleep in my back and only recently able to sleep on my side. I can’t tolerate stomach sleeping at all.

My husband has a body pillow he’s being using for years. He had to travel for 3 weeks and while he was away, I decided to try his pillow. It was better than I ever expected.

For me, the hardest of side sleeping was what to do with my limbs. I don’t like my knees or feeling touching the other. I’m a 5’8” woman and the body pillow is long enough for me to tuck between my feet and knees. In addition, the most important piece is my arms have a place to rest comfortably instead of just hanging awkwardly. Now I have my own pillow.

The one I have is https://a.co/d/0dONAAYX

It’s long, supportive and also pliable. Also, cooling material and filler.

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kimemore123@reddit

It’s my hips that are the issue

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BBennett40@reddit

Same

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straylight_2022@reddit

MedCline pillow.

Huge and awkward till you get used to it but for me at least totally eliminated chronic shoulder pain a couple of cortisone shots didn't do anything for and was having me head towards surgery.

Was told it wouldn't last long as a solution by my Dr. That was a little over five years ago.

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l1798657@reddit

Same. Worked great.

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deeoh01@reddit

I got one after my rotator cuff surgery and it was a lifesaver

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ditchdiggergirl@reddit

Rule of thumb: back hurts, mattress is too soft; shoulder hurts/fingers go numb, mattress is too hard; neck hurts, change your pillow.

ZootTootRiot@reddit

Make sure your arm doesn't hang off the side of the bed. I did that for the longest time until a Dr made me realize I did and told me to stop. That took care of a lot of pain.
A thick pillow or body pillow to prop up the arm.

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KindaKrayz222@reddit

Me, all night long. But usually on my stomach.

gif

Hah jokes on you, already wrecked my shoulder.

Big pillow on side .. heck go get yourself a $15 custom made Batman body pillow from Amazon.

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jpow33@reddit

I've never felt more seen.

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ImpossiblePut6387@reddit

I have some expensive contoured pillows. Nearly £100 each, but well worth it.

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spitfish@reddit

Pillow for the knees
Pillow to hug
Pillow to cry into.

/s

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disqeau@reddit

Right? We’re gonna need a bigger bed just for all the support pillows.

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Brooklet007@reddit

Yes! My nightly routine now involves wedging myself into a pillow cocoon and hope I don't need to go to the bathroom which inevitably I will have to as soon as I am settled in.

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DirectionFair5583@reddit

😂

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CK_CoffeeCat@reddit

Arm out rather than arm up. I used to sleep with the bottom arm straight up, so my shoulder was all mashed into my neck and ear. Totally fucked up my shoulder, (especially since I’d had a fall years back and landed straight arm on that hand, supporting all my considerable weight).

Holy hell, am adjustable pillow!?!?! What'll they come up with next?

WickedCoolMasshole@reddit

Three things I do but have had nefarious results with:

I have to exercise at least twice a week, otherwise my neck and hips kill me. I do Classical Pilates (am working on my teacher's certification!), but you do whatever feels good when you do it. Exercise at this stage should feel like a reward, not a punishment.
I bought a very, very good mattress (Sleep Number 360 for us).
Purple brand pillows - including one to "hug" and something betwen the knees.

Lots of pillows that are strategically placed. I personally have a pillow system.

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rowantree67@reddit

This is the way.

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freedomfromthepast@reddit

I sleep on a pillow like this, with another almost flat pillow underneath, to lift everything up just enough to spare my shoulders.

I got one of those when I was 50 months pregnant since I could only sleep on my side by then. It was too much trouble to untangle myself from that thing to switch sides. I ended up giving it to my dog. She loved it!😄

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shesrunswithscissors@reddit

IKEA sell this. Not quite horseshoe, but not far off. I've found I can flex it around to suit the shape I need it

I rotate through the night like a spit roast. 😅 I must switch sides 8 to 10 times a night, sometimes sleep on my back too. But mostly I have trouble sleeping in general, so my main issue is getting enough sleep in the first place.

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KennyFulgencio@reddit

I must switch sides 8 to 10 times a night

hmph

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Dubs9448@reddit

Same!

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GoatBnB@reddit

A pillow you hug and a pillow for between your knees.

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killslikeaninja@reddit

I can sleep on my back and left side only.

But this requires a nice pillow for my head, a pillow to hug with my arm, a special pillow to fit between my legs, a CPAP machine and sleeping mask.

gif

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JulesSherlock@reddit

I do not have any shoulder pain. I use a pancake pillow that lifts/supports my head high enough that I am not scrunching my shoulder though. But there is still some weight on it.

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Harold_Spoomanndorf@reddit

I've been sleeping on one side or the other since I was in my late teens- early twenties, I guess my body's just adapted to it

the_mighty_tongue@reddit

If you don't have problem with kidney stones, 2 tums helps with the restless leg

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Gfilter@reddit

Huh? Calcium helps?

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the_mighty_tongue@reddit

I don't know if it's the calcium or some other ingredient but they do relieve restless legs. My dad told me about it and it worked for me.

Left knee has a Baker’s Cyst and Torn Meniscus. Right knee is ok.

Left ankle has frequent Achilles Tendonitis.

Add a CPap and 2-3 dogs and three cats, sleep is interesting.

This morning I woke up on my right side in pain, two of the large dogs wedged on either side of me, the small dog on my sore ankle and a cat head butting me for attention.

A shallow pillow under the shoulder plus another to sleep on, plus more supporting my hips, legs, and back as needed.

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PageBroad3731@reddit

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_letter_carrier_@reddit

I woke up one morning with shoulder pinch a cpl years ago. After that I couldn’t raise my arm above my head for 4 months.

What I learned is that my shoulder ligaments were thin and weak, and tore easily. The answer is regular resistance training for the arms and rotator cuff. Dead hang from a bar to open up the shoulders. That works- happy to sleep on my side again now.

3 pillows.

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AbsintheRedux@reddit

Rotate like a rotisserie chicken at Costco!

Sure. Just tie them up first so they don't squirm around too much. /s

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nucl3ar0ne@reddit

gif

I spent almost $200 on a goddamn TempurPedic pillow.

It was worth every penny. I’ve had it probably 15 years now. I tried every pillow I could find and finally my massage therapist recommended them. Satin pillowcases keep my hair from getting all tangled so I do t wake up with a dreadloc.

But you might also play around with the angle of your bottom arm.

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Several_Bass2436@reddit

My $200 TempurPedic pillow is 25 years old and still going strong. Unfortunately I am not, and am having right shoulder issues from sleeping mostly on my right side. Time for a second pillow I guess.

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awwc@reddit

Jesus christ my sleeping is just shot to shit.

I don't. Currently on day 3 with every movement of head or right arm being excruciating. Hurts when pouring a glass of water. Hurts when lifting a spoon to my mouth. Hurts when reaching for remote control. And of course restful sleep is non-existent.

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Will_Munny_7@reddit

Roll back on the low shoulder as much as I can so I'm not just straight on top of it.

I keep an extra pillow to prop up my free arm

I sleep on my stomach and side. Having a Purple pillow helps for on the stomach, and a square pillow that's the same thickness as my shoulder-to-head. I also spent a shit-ton of money on my bed and mattress topper.

Fulghn@reddit

Decades ago I bought a 14" thick memory foam mattress. (At the time because it was compressed into a box that fit in my convertible with the top down so I could avoid delivery charges!) I even have a couple inch foam topper over that (again more out of convenience of more regularly cleaning that vs the mattress)

That mattress, solid memory foam pillows(I hate those ripped up foam pieces pillows!) and a full body pillow that I can wrap my legs around helps me sleep longer continuous periods. (For me that about 3 to 4 hours at a time)

I bought a ultalightweight cot for when I go backpacking so I can sleep on my side. I use the sleeping bag more as a body pillow and just use a light sheet over me. So much better and less painful in the morning than sleeping on a ground sleep system.

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PunkDoubt@reddit

I just deal with it. I fall asleep the easiest destroying my left shoulder

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GeekDad732@reddit

Right shoulder here, but I’m left handed.

Special_Cranberry679@reddit

Which one do you have, pillow wise? I have a sleep number for the mattress… it is getting there in age though. I’ve done PT for my shoulder but it still hurts. Guess I will have exercises for the remainder!

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pmramirezjr@reddit

bougie sleep is the best sleep! LOL! Seriously, invest in your rest!

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sirlost33@reddit

I went and got in shape.

Seriously, get your body together before it falls apart more.

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DataWeaver47@reddit

Yes, exactly this. Now is the time to take very good care of your body, so the elder years aren’t a morass of inability and disability that could have been mitigated or prevented.

Physically, my mother is my guide to what not to do, and her sister - my aunt - is my guide on what to do.

Emotionally and intellectually it’s exactly the opposite: my mom has kept her intellect intact and continues to expand her knowledge and keep her social and emotional connections despite her physical limitations. My aunt stopped reading years ago, watches tv for information, has almost no social interaction and is slipping into dementia and depressed.

Originally when I slept on my side I had no issues. Once I hit my 40’s the bending of my elbow caused cubital tunnel (like carpel tunnel in your wrist, but your elbow instead). I still lay on my side, but now I keep my arm straight and above my head when I sleep. That was disrupted when I got frozen shoulder from perimenopause and I ended up being forced to learn how to sleep on my back. All is better now and I am back to sleeping on my side.

I started heavy club training when I got frozen shoulder a few years back. I’m an educator and the better part of two decades writing and erasing on white boards had started to cause problems. A few months into heavy club training, and now almost four years on, and I have full mobility and no pain there either.

I went through this, with incredible shoulder pain from side sleeping, about a year ago. Here's what I figured out and I'm pretty much okay now:

DO NOT SLEEP WITH YOUR LOWER ARM TUCKED UNDER YOUR PILLOW! This puts a lot of strain on your shoulder because it's impinged at a weird angle. Now I just have my arms kinda loosely crossed/folded in front of me when I lie to sleep. IMO, this one change fixed most of my problem.
Instead of sleeping on the point of your shoulder, I roll my torso so I'm sleeping more on my shoulder blade.

Yep, that's about it and with those two I've been much better lately. A little hard to explain but I hope I was clear enough.

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Whole-Zucchini-5635@reddit

Dosaze pillow. From the first time using it I woke up with no arm pain.

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thats0Ktoo@reddit

The trick is to have a pillow that is more vertical behind the pillow your head is on. Instead of having your arm and hand bent under your head in a forced external rotation, let your hand rest on the vertical pillow behind your head.

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EveryMemory41@reddit

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I got back into shape partially to stabilize my shoulders. Each had a dislocation in my youth and now they're pain free.

But now, they are they are jacked, enormous and I can't sleep on them. Yay?

Large_Panic2894@reddit

Mine is my hip not my shoulder, but I bought an expensive Purple mattress.

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ConstructionOdd7318@reddit

Does it help? Our mattress is 84634143 years old and I feel like a new one could change life.

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Large_Panic2894@reddit

I personally love it. I also still use a pillow between my knees.

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SuchDogeHodler@reddit

Body pillow is a must.

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WitchSparkles@reddit

This is the way. Really good head pillow. I spend $100 for mine. I was sceptical, but my neck is a huge issue. Absolutely worth it.

GaimOfThrowns@reddit

I worked out my shoulders a lot when I was younger. I think that's the root of the problem!

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seasleeplessttle@reddit

9 pillows. And a full body pillow.

My ultimate shoulder back rest is on a center pile so my arms hang a bit.

We buy the right mattress, number one rule. I am a side sleeper with broad shoulders, but I’m not very heavy, especially on top. My mattress was too firm so when I would sleep on my side, my shoulder would curl under me because I wasn’t heavy enough to sink into the mattress. No pillow is going to fix that problem.

Pillows - lots of pillow. I "hug" two pillow to keep the top arm elevated a bit and prevent rolling pressure onto it. The pillow where a partner would sleep is extra thick and used to keep the forearm of the bottom arm, mostly perpendicular to the ground.

Sleeping on the left side is fine. When right-side sleeping, the right shoulder and arm often fall asleep.

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Square_Candle_4644@reddit

I have been using a contour pillow for many years. One side has a low bump and the other has a larger bump. If I am on my back, I use the low bump. On my side, I use the large bump. Works really well. I change them out when they get too squishy.

I just had my shoulder replaced, so no pain here!

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Infinite-Lychee-182@reddit

I just got mine through my Humana Medicare plan. Every quarter i get $45 to spend at their pharmacy otc store. The label says jdmi, I think.

ExtraAd7611@reddit

Pillows under my left armpit, and an ultra firm neck pillow between my shoulder and head.

I have lots of issues getting comfortable while sleeping, but shoulder pain isn't one of them.

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browneyedgirl79@reddit

I have an amazing pregnancy pillow.

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Inevitable_Phase_276@reddit

I wish I kept my pregnancy pillow. That thing would be pretty great now.

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browneyedgirl79@reddit

I never had one when I was pregnant. Fibromyalgia changes you...

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JoshNipples@reddit

Pillow arrangement is key. Tween the knees. Supporting the head to keep the spine straight. Arms wrapped around another one.

I got an ultra-firm high-density foam slab as my mattress in my 30s, and it's still going strong. (Other people have commented that it's one of the more comfortable beds they've been in.) That helps my back, but over time it's been a little too firm for my shoulder.

Just like most everyone else, pillows, pillows, and more pillows. I've been putting rotor cuff surgery off for a while now (stubborn Gen-Xer), and have figured out the perfect way for my sleep position. I make a U shape out of 2 body pillows and my 2 regular pillows go under my head. It puts my head in alignment with my shoulder but also allows me to prop one knee up in hopes of combating the hip pains I get.

Now, if someone could tell me how to avoid the sciatic pain after 2 hour road trips I would be forever in your debt!

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icedyoga@reddit

Yoga helped me with back pain immensely. Haven’t had any in years.

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Friends-friend@reddit

They come apart every night

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Soulshiner402@reddit

Stretching. And I have the firmest memory foam pillow for my head, the between the knees pillow and the side hug pillow on either side of me for when I roll over in the night.

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Kbern4444@reddit

Shoulders are fine, its my knees.

I put compression pillow between my knees when laying on my side.

Pillow to maintain the space between my shoulder and head is the bare minimum. I try not to sleep with my lower arm over my head. Best set up for me was a body pillow (or doubled up pillow) between my knees up to my head, so the spine is neutral and there’s space for my shoulder. Sounds more involved than it is lol.

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