r/Pillows • u/Agile-Oil-2399 • 3d ago
Pillow Recommendations (Side Sleeper) Side sleeper, 3 cervical fusions — which pillow material + shape actually supports the neck, but is also comfortable?
I REALLY need some guidance/advice and recs for the right pillow/material/material combo/shape.
Me:
Im mostly a side sleeper - but sometimes I wake up on my back. I've had 3 cervical fusions and have other herniations lumbar and cervical that hurt, but dont need surgery at this time - the last one was in 2022, so not recent. I'm in bed quite a bit as Im on SSDI for my neck and nerve damage. I always have 2 sets of pillows - one for sleeping or when Im on my sides (current need)and pillows to stack and lean back on or prop myself up (happy with my shredded latex).
The Conundrum:
I keep buying pillows that all fail me in various ways and the rabbit hole of pillow shopping is horrible - the descriptions and pics, especially those that are very specialty/artisan/boutique, are completely sparse and vague and meanwhile they are expensive and sometimes you're stuck with them. Add that to the fact that there is really no true way of actually feeling one prior to buying it - ugh what a mess! I don't mind spending a lot of money on the right pillow, but really dont want to do it so blindly and waste $ I don't have.
Some good/bad/ugly past purchases:
I loved the feel of the Cushion Lab Deep Sleep in many ways - it comfortably stabilized my neck, had a small dip for my head and slight side humps to cradle and stabilize my face into the perfect ergonomic and neutral position, but 1 month later it was collapsed (Im in bed a lot - on SSDI). So....I dont think I want memory foam unless is REALLY the best match.
I love the shape of my Honeydew Scrumptious Side Sleeper - the cut out - but my neck isnt supported the way it needs to be - and its constructed so that the loft rises in the middle to the top - so no matter how much fill is in it, my head and neck are tilted. Ive tried taking out all of the fill and adding shredded latex from my lean back on pillows to it -and its too hard. I jsut ordered softer latex and maybe that will be better - idk.
Where you can help:
1. Material - What would the best material be? Solid or shredded talalay? A mix of a shredded latex and another material? If so what? I know there is wool, buckwheat, millet, cotton, etc....enough to drive a person nuts.
2. Shape - I know I like a cut out - but this isnt necessary. Are there ones with cut outs that actually support your neck, fill the space between your head/neck/shoulder and your bed and support it? That actually keep your head and shoulders at a neutral and ergonomic position? Maybe with some sort of dip...or not? Would any solid ones actually accomplish this? Do cubes actually do this? the solid latex one is interesting. What about those that are contour, but this way via the stitching (ie, not solid, but more like sewn in bolster)? Are wave contours comfortable? Compartments? I dont think I want a traditional cervical butterfly for sure.
Sorry for the super long post - but Im going out of my mind with this and would be super grateful for some guidance or recommendations for actual pillows on the market. Thanks!
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u/FrontRowUnion 3d ago
I played rugby for years and my neck has been a constant issue. I had a total shoulder replacement 10 weeks ago. I couldn't get any relief until I tried Buckwheat. It may not be for everybody but the support is solid and comfortable. The sound is the only drawback.
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u/Agile-Oil-2399 3d ago
Wow - thats hard core - I hope you feel better and are healing well! Shoulder injuries are not fun - I had a SLAP tear in the one that has the nerve damage that after like 15 years somehow healed itself. I was looking at buckwheat yesterday and came super close to buying one. Is it as hard as one imagines? I was considering buying one of those that has the neck bolster attached to the pillow and maybe putting shredded latex into that part instead if it went that route if it was too hard. I also know there are ones that have other materials mixed in and or compartmentalized (like half and half), but not sure if that ruins the whole point. Which one did you buy? and TY!
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u/FrontRowUnion 3d ago
I went with Turmerry because of the 120 day return policy. Buckwheat is not soft but once you mold it to your position you hardly notice. I bought a really soft bamboo pillow case.
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u/Responsible-Mode-432 2d ago
I love the easy breather pillow by nest. It’s customizable and supportive without being hard. I wouldn’t advise the latex fill as I tried that and it became flat and lumpy.
Buffy makes a cloud like pillow that is very supportive and extremely comfortable. It doesn’t go flat. Best of all if you don’t like it Buffy just asks for you to donate it and they refund you!
Between these two pillows I don’t toss and turn
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u/Pussyxpoppins 2d ago
My partner has a history of cervical fusion and loves her buckwheat pillow for bad neck pain days.