Help! Pillow advice for a bad sleeper that has a lifelong sinus problem...oh yeah and is autistic

I have a condition of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and need to sleep with an air pump connected to a face mask which stops my soft pallet (epiglottis) from choking me while sleeping on my back. The air pump name is abbreviated as CPAP.  Perhaps such a device will solve your problem?  I can't get a good nights sleep without it.

Hello there! I noticed that this is an older post, but I'd still like to offer some help. Since you mentioned that you sleep on your side, you might want to consider a body pillow as well. These are great for keeping your spine aligned and can help alleviate any discomfort you may be experiencing. As for your sensitivity to cotton pillowcases, have you tried bamboo pillowcases? They are just as soft as cotton but are more breathable and hypoallergenic. Btw, have you tried the [link removed by moderator] Miracle bamboo pillow? It's made of bamboo-derived viscose, which makes it hypoallergenic and perfect for anyone with sinus problems. I hope this information is helpful to you. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

My nose gets stuck too, from what you're saying it sounds like you're sleeping on your back, I tried that too, with extra pillows, now I do on a belly superman style with one pillow under my head and my arm under it, I use bamboo pillow now, it's not exactly memory foam, but still soft

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Yikes, I can't get my head around 18 times an hour.

I was fast tracked as I was driving 20k a year.

The sleep study part has a few wires and pipes, but that's only for a single night, once they have the information from that they'll decide whether to give you a CPAP machine.  The CPAP machine has done wonders for my sleep, since having it my sleeping has got better, and I feel more refreshed and less tired, took me years to get them to do that though because they kept sending me for blood tests.

When they did my sleep study, they said my breathing stopped about 90 times an hour a night, so yeah, need one.

Thanks JuniperFromGallifrey. I'm definitely going to try the propolis honey. I've also had a look at Devon Duvets. It's a shame you can't try before you buy when it comes to pillows!

If Pollen is an issue, depending on allergens, this might help. I started giving my son a spoonful of honey every day when he showed signs of problems with hay fever. The first year we bought all kinds of drugs and nothing helped. Then, after a little research, Honey literally solved the issue. This company is amazing & they have a few crafted honeys which is excellent for issues like these (bit more expensive, but well worth it & better than drugs!): https://baxbees.co.uk/product-category/propolis/ I get him a jar when it starts and just has a spoonful every day and then every other day or as needed during the season as it helps the immune system. 

As for pillows, depending on your budget, I do like supporting smaller independent responsible companies. Devon Duvet make incredible products. Their pillows can be a bit more expensive, but if you buy 2 good ones every 10 years then it's almost a better investment. We've not had issues with John Lewis natural fibres either. 

Thanks LongSpoons. I will talk to my GP about it, she’s fairly ‘open-minded’. Cheers!

I think it’s just a tube under your nose but then some chest straps and a pulse oximeter, lots of stuff but not really in your head.

I don’t have a problem with the CPAP machine, it’s just one of those things that if you tolerate not liking something till you get used to it (like the dentist).

It’s another one of those things where it’s GP pot luck, you might be told you aren’t fat enough, I found I had a really low resting pulse because the oxygen starvation was like altitude training.

Hi JuniperFromGallifrey. Thanks for the great advice. I must admit I've always discounted wool pillows, purely on the basis that I can't wear woollen items. Crazy logic as the'd be in a pillowcase and not directly in contact with my skin. I'll have another look online at the woollen pillows. Did you go fro a particular brand? I always find it more beneficial to hear personal accounts of products rather than the biased manufactures descriptions and claims!

ENT have always sent me off with steroids (which I'm not happy taking - chemicals!). One of the consultants offered surgery which I was concerned about and having read your reply I'm glad I didn't go ahead. All my allergy tests were inconclusive, but I know that my sinus problems always get worse in hot weather (pollen) and when I've been out in a dry, sandy yard environment. I shall try the diffuser. I'm also thinking a humidifier might be worth a go too.

Many thanks LongSpoons. I've been wondering for a while if a sleep study might reveal anything, I've always mentioned my concerns over my sleep problems to any healthcare professional I've seen, but they've always either dismissed it or packed me off with medication (full of chemicals which I don't like). Medication might work for some people but I think that doesn't solve my underlying cause.

I'm in contact with my GP this week and so I shall ask her about a sleep study. Does this involve lots of wires being attached to your head? Excuse my naivety. Also are CPAP uncomfortable to wear?

Thanks for taking the time to reply. It's definitely a conversation I'll be having with my GP.

100% wool pillows are amazing. If you add a little dried lavender into the pillow case with the wool, it tends to keep the moths at bay, but as does just throwing them in the wash a few times per year.

Assuming you've had an allergy test to see if it's a reaction - my son has a bridge on his nose that seems to keep him permenantly stuffed up except with spicy food. A friend of mine had his bridge removed with surgery and suddenly became asthmatic shortly after; quite possibly the bridge is helping filter out harmful particulates. Sometimes we use a diffuser with natural eucalyptus essential oil at night. (staying clear of chemicals as much as possible as they seem to cause more damage).  

I was thinking about asking how common it is for people to use CPAP machines, I had a sleep study last year as I am always tired and it showed I stopped breathing and then woke up 18 times an hour. 

The machine provides constant pressure and keeps my airway open, it might be worth asking your GP for a sleep study to see if anything else is going on.

Thanks O, yes I have and am hopefully going to get to trial one from my local sensory Library. I think there’s various thoughts on pillows but I’m hindered by the needs of my sinuses. Thanks for your reply!

thought about a weighted blanket or a heated blanket? 

not sure what to suggest about sinus issues