Advice sought on pillow height

I'm in a bit of a quandry as to what is the best pillow height. Since CPAP, I have become exclusively a side sleeper, having been formerly a stomach sleeper. I have big broad shoulders from having lifted weights. I find 1 pillow too low for my shoulders, but 1.5 - 2 pillows too high. So, I sleep with 1 pillow,with a bath towel, folded beneath it, just to lift it that extra bit higher, to accomodate my shoulders. ( I also have a chiropractic mattress, less than a year old).

In general, with regards to pillow height, what is best for getting your AHI down lower? Is it that the lower the pillow the better ? Does raising your pillow in any way, comprimise your AHI?

A side sleeper you would need a firm pillow that is fairly high, in my opinion.

If your shoulders are broad you would need a higher pillow as well. Measure the distance from your shoulder to your neck and then try to get a pillow that will give you at least close to that height to support your neck properly. You might still need your folded towel, dependin gon that measurement.

With a contour pillow or one of the special cpap pillows you might do quite well, since both these types of pillows would give a place for your mask and also keep your chin up a bit to help with the airway opening.

I would do some online research on these 2 types of pillows and see what you discover.

Just an opinion!

When a big guy like you raises your pillow height, you'll straighten your neck, and consequently, your airway out. It will be better for your spine and your breathing.

I got just the pillow for you to use for side sleeping. I use it myself. Make sure you get the "high profile" size.
http://www.contourliving.com/p-71-conto ... illow.aspx

When I sleep on my back, I switch to this one:
http://www.contourliving.com/p-34-conto ... illow.aspx

Mammal wrote:In general, with regards to pillow height, what is best for getting your AHI down lower? Is it that the lower the pillow the better ? Does raising your pillow in any way, comprimise your AHI?

Keeping your neck straight will go a long way to help w/AHI.

It is just about impossible to determine an exact measurement for a pillow. Each person and mattress is different. You need someone who can let you know when your spine is straight. Yes that includes the neck. Spinal alignment is the key.

fwiw - I also use both of the pillows linked above. I say the high part of the pillow should go under the nape of the neck for support - there-by tilting the head back (when on your back) and the airway Open.

I sleep almost exclusively on my side. One of my favorite things about CPAP is that I no longer have reflux, so I don't have to sleep on "pillow mountain" anymore.

I have an old, soft 100% foam pillow, and I top that with a tempurpedic foam contour pillow and the "bumper" fits up into my neck. My head is sort of in the "ditch" between the two bumpers, and I sleep on the edge so my mask hangs off slightly.

I try to keep my neck in a straight line with my spine, and this is SO comfortable.

You are just going to have to experiment around to find the right combination for yourself.

--and if all that fails, do what works for you.
I've had to cut foam pillows down, because they were too thick.
With beads, buckwheat hulls or fiberfill balls, you can take out or even add-to.
When you cut that label off the pillow, you don't have to stop there!

I have the same problem being an ex-weight lifter with the wide shoulders and specifically a side sleeper. I found a really cheap solution to the problem for me and maybe it will work for you too. I bought at JC Penney or Kohls the "super firm" foam pillow which is really not expensive at all. The foam pillows do break down over time though but I "gift' myself a new pillow for Christmas every year and love it. Also sleeping near the edge of the pillow keeps the airways open. I love it. For just a few bucks (paid less than $10 for mine) it is a cheap fix. Try it, you might like it.

great ideas -- i've been thinking about climbing down from "pillow mountain" myself!

Mammal wrote: I find 1 pillow too low for my shoulders, but 1.5 - 2 pillows too high. So, I sleep with 1 pillow,with a bath towel, folded beneath it, just to lift it that extra bit higher
In general, with regards to pillow height, what is best for getting your AHI down lower? Is it that the lower the pillow the better ? Does raising your pillow in any way, comprimise your AHI?

I know what you're talking about. I myself sleep with "1.5" pillows.
I found that using 2 of my old pillows wasn't quite high enough for me so I went out and bought new pillows. The 2 new pillows turned out to be too high, and one wasn't high enough. A combination of one old (the "half" pillow), and one new pillow was the perfect height for me.

YES, the height of your pillow most definately does affect your AHI.
I'm a VERY "active" sleeper. On days when I wake up with one pillow on the floor, my AHI is always higher for that night.