Pillows

[Libertarian666]

I have a very serious problem that is affecting my sleep. I just CANNOT find a pillow that starts soft but supportive and stays that way all night. I have been using a down pillow, which is excellent at first but eventually packs down into something way too hard, so I wake up and toss and turn. This is affecting both myself and my wife.

Some details:
I sleep on my side, and it is my ear that hurts me. If I could sleep on my back, obviously this would not be a problem.

What I have tried:
All kinds of foam pillows, including memory foam
Down pillows
Water-filled pillows
Something like the "as seen on TV My Pillow", but from Costco

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Bean]

They have those pillows with the ear hole that look interesting for side sleepers.

I am a face down or free fall sleeper (think that is what they call it). So I could have two rocks and sleep just fine as long as they are the right size.

[Austen Heller]

I too am a side sleeper, and I can't use those down pillows since they compress too much and give me neck pain.  About 7-8 years ago, I found these Sealy pillows that work great.  They compress a little, but still give plenty of support.  I use the "Medium" ones; I tried the "Firm" one but it was just too firm.  I used to get them from K-Mart but now I can only find them at JC Penney.  Here's a link:

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/for-the- ... rchResults

[gizmo_rat]

Two others that might be worth considering;

Latex foam pillow, which is like the seat cushioning of an armchair. Heavy, expensive, bit of a strange feel to start with but doesn't wear or change over time.

Foam cored pillow, 2 inch thick closed cell foam with a large hole in the middle within a normal polyester wadded pillow. Stays soft under your ear and is cheap.

If it's a recently occurring problem don't discount some underlying physiological cause. I went on a pillow buying spree last year to relieve upper neck pain... the pillow wasn't the issue.

[Benko]

I've sleep on my side and have used tempurpedic bed and pillow for over 10 years and love them.

There are two shapes:  I've used their classic neck pillow to sleep on my side and love it(make sure you get right size).  :
http://www.tempurpedic.com/Contoured-Pi ... Pillow.asp

They now make a side sleeping pillow which I don't like, but you might:

http://www.tempurpedic.com/Contoured-Pi ... Pillow.asp

I have no idea if imitation memory foam are really as good or not.

[Benko]

PS may take a few days to a week to get used to it, so if you try, give it a chance.

[Mountaineer]

A am a back and side sleeper.  I really like the memory foam pillow I got from Costco a couple of years ago.  I tried a name brand memory foam and did not like it.  ??  I sleep with the large bump side toward my body and the small bump sise toward the head of the bed.  For whatever that was worth ......  Good luck.

[MediumTex]

How about getting a thin memory foam pillow and placing soft microfiber towels on top of it inside the pillow case?

This would provide a pillow with a very soft top layer, with great support underneath.

It would be sort of like a "pillow top pillow."

[Libertarian666]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll report back on what I try and how it works... assuming anyone is interested. 

[Reub]

Also consider buckwheat pillows. They work for me. And if they don't you can always use them for food.

[notsheigetz]

Not sure if this would be what you are looking for but I have been using a cervical pillow due to some neck issues. It's shaped like a donut and has an air pump you can use to set the firmness that is most comfortable for you. I can report that it feels great when you are lying on your back - seems to set your spine in a very relaxing position. Unfortunately, I have never been able to sleep on my back. I always end up either on my side or my stomach and I usually end up tossing it for a regular pillow before morning.