Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips Pillow-talk

Hi all. I have to sleep on my side, no sleeping on my back as I'm too curved I guess.

On another note, I have been waking up soo many times during the night for what I thought was having to go to the bathroom. So...I decided yesterday to limit my fluid intake for the day to next to nothing to see what happened.
I found I kept waking up (4-5 times as usual) but it wasn't due to the bathroom urge but due to pain. Hips were sore, back was acting up and even my wrists were into the act. I guess I should have figured that out before but being in pain 24/7 sort of nullifies the realization that that's the problem. It was a process of elimination, heh, to find that out.

I've tried the pillows between the legs and it didn't work for me. Perhaps a body pillow might work, I know that Pete mentioned that he really likes his. Anyone else have one?
I just bought a foam underlay and think that's great and it mitigates some of the pain. Better than sleeping on a futon for sure!

Good sleep to you all,

Timo

The knee-pillow thing didn't suit me either so that is when i slid the top knee over to the bed which took the stress off the hip and tilted the neck back into extension (out of flexion) - as in Loz' picture.

Waking at nite from pain was the wake-up call for me to do more - initially it was to stop skimping on the meds, take away pain so i could exercise more and also not disturb my then partner's sleep. Being able to sleep on a futon is my measure of low inflammation.
Later when the pills started losing effectiveness and i was waking at nite i realized i had to change tack and went strict NSD and increased my exercise regime manyfold.
I still require optimal mattress firmness and depth and find that difficult on my boat bunks although 1" of hard foam topped with 2" of softer foam comes quite close to restful for six hours or so.
My bed has a wool fleece underlay (baa)

Ted

NSAIDs = biochemical warfare where our tactical decisions are hostile to our strategic interests.

Forgot to mention here that i ended up throwing away my modified pillow and find that the recovery position favours (for me) going back to a down and feather pillow.
When i inadvertantally roll onto my back in my sleep, then the down is so soft that my head sinks in and it is almost like no pillow at all which is the preferable state for my neck. My neck has improved since it's use, but so has my diet...

Ted

I've got Crohn’s disease...
...and he's got mine...
Spike Milligan

Does anyone get completely dehydrated at night ? I do, and its been a problem for years..

"So long and thanks for all the fish" - Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy

Yes, the first thing I have to do in the morning is have a big drink of water.

Plant a seed of friendship; reap a bouquet of happiness.

how bad does it get? Mine is pretty bad, after a few hours of sleep my whole body is dry. My eyes, mouth,hands .. everything is very very dry. Like you, I have to drink plenty of water when I wake up. But for some strange reason drinking water in the middle of the night wont help..

"So long and thanks for all the fish" - Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy

I went with a real thin pillow on my rheumys advice when my neck started fuzing at age 36.Now going on age 51 my neck is rigid.I use pilows when lying on my side or else my head would be hanging in the air.I think it helped me fuse with a minimum of kyphosis .
I stand and can somewhat effect a decent Marines posture although i tend to slump forward.
Kev

When I started reading this, I thought..... no way can I sleep on my back, so glad to hear that some of you are the same. I too can only sleep in the recovery position, I also put a slim pillow under my lower tum and thigh, Ive dropped to one head pillow which I curve myself. This little lot together with some gym excersises for my neck, gives me the 'best' sleep Ive had in nearly two decades.
Starting off a very groovy dream before I nod off also helps....mine tends to involve Vin Diesel as my back support!!!!!!(AS therapy only of course). :-)zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hey Crippen:

I, too, sleep in the recovery position - if I turn on my back, I usually wake up in a state of panic cuz I can't move. I hate that. I've tried all sorts of different pillows. I use a down pillow which I mash up until it's comfortable around my neck. When my neck is reallly bothering me, I've been known to raid my son's ancient stuffed animal collection. His well-loved platypus works great. He thinks I'm crazy!!

Catherine

Hi Catherine
I sleep on my front (prone?). I have always slept like that, but although my neck is not fused I wake up with a stiff neck sometimes. If I wake in the night and needing the loo, I go back to sleep in the recovery position. By morning I find I am back on my tummy, but it does make it easier to just slide off the bed in that position.
The only problem then is, How do you stand up? With great difficulty!!.
Take care
Love Sue