I'm curious what you do at night to take advantage of gravity. Have any of you found posture helps? Proping pillows? Even sleeping in a recliner?
Yes all of the above. For those of us with one-sided chiari, its best to sleep on the opposite side to prevent more pressure. That helps me. Sometimes ice packs help me relax. God bless!
I have to sleep in a recliner. Laying flat, I wale up worth a horrific headache.
My surgery failed and i have nerve damage from the trauma of the surgery, which was 4 years ago.
I sleep in the couch a lot with my pillow propped in the arm. Seems to help. I agree with the others. Laying flat has not been hood!
Not been good!! (Oops)
My father in law made me adjustable blocks to put under the head of my be to elevate it. Helped a lot with the pressure and pain.
we invested in sidesleeping pillows and adjustable beds. (twin) his neuropathy is different than mineLOL) i also elevate my feet for at least 30 minutes on bad days. my syrinx is from c2 to L1.
when the headaches get ferocious, i have to lay flat. period. i have a recliner but i cant work it my arms are too weak, and my legs ditto. so if my hubby wants me to rest, he pops up the footrest and glares at me.
beware, too muck book,phone or TV time can be a BIG trigger...
That TV thing is a big trigger for sure. How many have paid attention to the height and angle of mounting their TV? I have a different issue (sponylitis) but i hired a guy to come in redo all my screens and it mad a huge difference. The ergo guys redid my office and wow.............
Sleeping flat often triggers a headache (migraine)… I wake up sometimes 3-4 days a week with a headache. Had decompression surgery Jan 2013 and a second emergency surgery 2 months later due to complications from 1st surgery (hydrocephalus and aseptic meningitis, almost checked out I got so bad). Surgery…I wouldn’t do it again as it didn’t really help all that much.
So I sometimes try to sleep propped up, but doing so makes my back end up in excruciating pain so it’s a trade-off. Not fair waking up with a blinding headache and not having gotten any refreshing sleep. I can certainly relate!
I finally broke down and got one of those temperpedic beds so I can adjust my head and back. It has made a world of difference. I also sleep with a neck pillow and ice pack. I, unfortunately, still have headaches every day but do sleep better.
Migraine Ice or Be Kool gel pads are great. I have one stuck to my forehead more times then not.
I can only sleep on my left side, I use a fully body pillow between my knees and I sort of lean on it so it supports some of my upper body weight. I'm picky about my pillow, I'll get one that's perfect for about 6 months then it starts getting less firm so I rotate them. Sleeping on my left side only can cause discomfort just from stiffness but I cannot even lie down on my right side for any amount of time without it triggering extreme nerve pain in my shoulder and neck and sometimes down my arm as well as a severe headache all of which can last up to 2 days. I am trying to train myself to sleep on my back as well but only for shorter amounts of time as often I have pain in my upper back between my shoulder blades if I sleep the whole night on my back.
This has been the most difficult area for me to deal with having chiari.
Lying completely flat works. I find that extra pillows only aggrevate my Chiari after or during a headache. When I was first diagnosed…I tired numerous positions until my body decided that flat was the option. You just hafta experiment and see what works for you!! I hope tjis helps!
I use two pillows to elevate my head'
My physical therapist showed me the best way to sleep…I have to have a pillow under each arm to support your shoulders. I sleep upright using 4 pillows with a soft cervical pillow to keep the incision area up off the pillows. Relieves any pressure.
I am curious if anyone has tried a total body pillow? They are kind of pricey but look really comfortable. I am considering getting one for Fibro. Has anyone tried it and if so do you like it? Pros / Cons? Thanks. Here is a link to one http://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Total-Body-Support-Pillow/dp/B0010BBN7M/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1424808831&sr=8-3&keywords=total+body+pillow
My new pillow helps. I just got it yesterday so haven't slept all night with it. But when I am resting, I use it. It supports my chin and the side of my head without putting added pressure. (I posted a blog about it if you want the link.) I mainly have to sleep on my left side. If I wake up on my right side, I find my hair hurts even more and my head feels like it is "asleep" on that side.
One sided Chiari?! I was beginning to think I was alone here with that. The neurosurgeon I saw stated he didn't think my Chiari was the cause of my headaches because they are mainly on one side.
Jozy said:
Yes all of the above. For those of us with one-sided chiari, its best to sleep on the opposite side to prevent more pressure. That helps me. Sometimes ice packs help me relax. God bless!
It varies for me. If I lay on my back most night my legs go numb, if I lay on one side for too long that bottom leg goes numb. I can’t seem to get comfortable in a recliner. What does help most is sleeping with a heating pad under my neck. With that I’m able to sleep any way and it’s comfy and with minimal side effects.
I have a water pillow that I can actually fill or decrease the water inside. It cradles my head...I can only sleep on my back and this pillow allows me to do it. I actually bid on this pillow in a silent auction, it was donated by a local chiropractor.
I have had it for 4 years now and it is the best thing ever... it's a little heavy, but I bring it everywhere I go if I'm staying somewhere... even to the hospital for my decompression.