Part five of how migraines affect me
Back in March 2019 I updated my blog with Part 4 of my Migraines and Me story and was trying out a new pillow to see if it helped reduce the severity of my migraines.
As mentioned previously, the NHS describe a migraine as “usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head” and in a lot of cases, have other symptoms as well. With mine, I often get a stiff neck / sore shoulder, nausea, aura, nose bleeds and occasionally slurred or garbled speech (sometimes my sentences come out in the backwards or the words in the wrong order.
Over the years I have tried a number of things including heat, cold, medications and have now been trying out new pillows as if I wake up with a headache or migraine it starts in the neck and shoulder first. On doing some reading it was suggested that using a firm gusseted pillow (walled pillow) could help.
A good night’s sleep is essential to overall health and well-being as well as helping prevent migraines by supporting your head and neck better. In my last post I was trying out a new pillow which was medium firm, and while it was helping I needed a firmer pillow.
I decided to try the OTTY Deluxe Pillow made from memory foam, it is hypo-allergenic with machine washable covers, is breathable and it features a cool airflow system to help regulate temperature while you sleep. It measures 60x40x12cm (it does fit my standard pillow cases as well). You can read my review of it here.
I have been using this pillow for a long time now and it is perfect. Not once have I woken with a sore neck, head or the beginnings of a migraine. I am also benefiting from a much better night’s sleep as I don’t seem to wake up as much during the night.
While it hasn’t got rid of my migraines, it is helping to reduce them and give me a much more comfortable and supportive sleep. So fellow migraine suffers (and non-suffers than just want a good supportive and comfortable sleep), I would suggest trying a walled pillow (gusset pillow) and from my experience so far, I would recommend the OTTY Deluxe Pillow (it is expensive at £64.99, which is inline with other pillows of this type, but is definitely worth the cost).
If you have had any success in managing migraines by changing your pillow, or any other tips, please let me know your thoughts by emailing info@davidsavage.co.uk.
Click here to read Part Six of my Migraines and Me series
