I was lying in bed last night, assuming my normal position during CH's, and thought to myself, 'if anyone else has a specific sleeping position during their cycle'?

I never, if rarely sleep on my back.  But, once I started these horrible headaches (when I didn't know), I found that resting on my back with my head up on two pillows, elevated above my shoulders almost up and down, felt better than lying on my stomach or side & head down.  My headache area would throb more, uncomfortably so, when I was lying vertical.

So now, 18 years later, I still assume the CH slumber position every cycle.  And I continue to do it, cause I still get the throbbing feeling when I lie flat.

Anyone else...?
Hopefully this topic doesn't take a wrong turn.. ;D
Thanks, Angela

Start out on my back, sometimes a bolster pillow under my knees (to relieve lower back pain). Always end up on my right side, knees slightly bent, facing away from my bride (so my CPAP exhaust doesn't wake her up).

Now that you mention it, I sleep on my back with two pillows during a cluster period!  Otherwise, I like to sleep on my side...

If you able to get a Dr. to prescribe Amerge...I suggest you try that.  Amerge is a Triptan which is used for abortive measures.  HOWEVER...it takes a while to get into your system and isn't useful for  short-term.  When I have not slept for days and I need rest desperately, I take one about an hour or two before bedtime.  I can be guaranteed at least 8 hours of un-interrupted sleep.

That may not be what you're asking.  No matter what position I sleep in the hits will come.  I have a friend who sleeps with a bag of frozen peas on her head.  She takes her Melatonin, slaps on the peas and usually has a good night.

I never asked, but I am certain her romantic nights weren't that often.  :P

;)Thanks Linda, good info.  And Mr. Lambert is very patient  ::)

I take 9mg melatonin, and I seem to get a good night sleep.  I waken if the beast comes, of course.  But, initially, when I go to sleep, I must prop, I feel the throb as soon as lie vertically down, every time, good day or bad day, couch or bed.
I wonder why..?

Ange

When in a cycle I sleep in our recliner chair, at least half way propped up.  Not convinced it helps that much, but I keep telling myself it does.  I do seem to have an easier time when I wake up with a headache - can get the O2 easier and I don't wake up my wife.  Will be 15 days PF......crossing my fingers my cycle is over.

Mitch

Quote:

How do you sleep?

When in cycle...badly.     ;)  Doesn't seem to matter what position I fall asleep in.

Melatonin has been (fairly) effective for me in staving off the nighttime hits.  I normally take 9-15 mg. when in cycle.

Best wishes,

George

I sleep in a room with the lights on and the TV going.  The more sound and light, the better I sleep.... at least it seems.  However, it needs to be said that I usually cant get to sleep until 3am when in cycle, and I wake up around 6 or 7 either getting hit or tense feeling like Im going to get hit.

I am so sleepy when in cycle that I dont pay much attention to any other details.

Not sure it if was a coincidence or not but I tried breathing about 4 lpm from my m tank one night with  a nasal cannula, and I was able to sleep all night. But could have been right at the end of my cycle. This last cycle I did not have enough 02 to try this. But I have a concentrator for next time to see if it works.  I was once prescribed sleeping pills. That ended up badly for me. The beast still woke me. That was miserable trying to deal with a massive hit and being groggy from the pills. I have never noticed any particular sleeping position being effective. 

Jrcox

After all that head banging and pacing at 2am in the morning I'm so exhausted I either fall asleep on a chair or if I make it to bed I just crumble in a heap. Memory foam pillows do help though...


Lefty..!

I agree,  sleeping upright during cycle helps me alot.  I cant lay down or the shadows start banging right away.  When out of cycle,  always lay on CH side, it helps to put pressure on that side for some reason.  Helps me feel like my head is nice and protected.  Crazy.

Christine :P

Ya....I sleep with an Ice pack on my head every night.

I find when I lay on my right side, (clusters are on left) I feel a low grade pain in my left temple.
  Thank god for melatonin!

I have two positions, either flat on my back with my head propped up or (and I know this sounds weird) on my hands and knees with my head pressed against my pillow (which is upright resting against the headboard)!
Memory foam pillows are great during an attack as they are just the righhht firmness.

I sleep propped up sort of leaning to my left side on the couch.   

Jeannie

Sitting in my comfy chair in the family room (when sleep was possible).  During my last cycle when I started having a rough time with nightime hits, I did not sleep in my bed for months.

Brew wrote on Nov 22^nd, 2009 at 6:25pm:

Always end up on my right side, knees slightly bent, facing away from my bride (so my CPAP exhaust doesn't wake her up).

Dude, I almost fell out of my chair reading this statement!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

midwestbeth wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2009 at 1:18pm:

Sitting in my comfy chair in the family room (when sleep was possible).  During my last cycle when I started having a rough time with nightime hits, I did not sleep in my bed for months.

I know that feeling, Beth.  I'm sorry you do too.

Man, we are a bunch of tough sleepers. 

My husband has recently started sleeping half the night on the couch.  It's not because I'm getting night hits (luckily), but because, I'm sleeping so hard on the Mel, he can't wake me up to get the blankets back.  He says he at least he has blankets on the couch.  ;)

Angela

I like to sleep vertically too during my ch periods. I feel like it might prevent one, or help alleviate it a bit. I think maybe it helps to not have a rush of blood to your head. It may help a little, and every little bit counts.

Chad wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2009 at 1:20pm:

Brew wrote on Nov 22nd, 2009 at 6:25pm: Always end up on my right side, knees slightly bent, facing away from my bride (so my CPAP exhaust doesn't wake her up). Dude, I almost fell out of my chair reading this statement!  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Dude! It's true. Not meant to be humorous, but I guess there is an element of that. There are times when she asks me to turn over because she says the cool breeze from that sucker feels great (night sweats and all that).

I go to sleep as normal on one side and after my night time hit I'll fall back to sleep propped up with a few pillows. I just can't bare to lie down horizontally after one.

Kind of like this:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Hey Brew...so does my husband!

Can't sleep on my right side.  Attempting to do so nearly guarantees an attack within a few minutes.   Naturally this is the side of my head that gets so much abuse from this nightmare.

burnt-toast
(Tom)

Joni wrote on Dec 6^th, 2009 at 4:01pm:

Hey Brew...so does my husband!

That little blower has been a godsend.

I been sleeping with a little boy (Jake my grandson) for the last year and two months.  I haven't slept in a year and two months.

           Potter

Brew wrote on Dec 6^th, 2009 at 8:49pm:

Joni wrote on Dec 6th, 2009 at 4:01pm: Hey Brew...so does my husband! That little blower has been a godsend.

It sure is!  My husband will not go without it...even though it is a nuisance.  He had 8 major surgeries and the last one was 10 hours long.  After the big one, he had a minor surgery and they came out really upset at how low his O2 was in the surgery.  They told us to get him to a sleep study asap!  And that's the rest of the story.  Actually, that machine isn't as bad as some of the other rearrangements he has.  He is thankful and lucky to be alive...and breathing at night...haha.

I sleep on my left side, knees bent, left arm supporting the head, no pillow. Lots of cold air coming. I sleep on the side that's closer to the door, so that I do not wake up my fiancée when I jump out of the bed. Strangely enough, as soon as I wake up, she is already woken up, handing me the O2 mask.

Quote:

That little blower has been a godsend.

Too easy!

Bob P wrote on Dec 8^th, 2009 at 7:11am:

Quote: That little blower has been a godsend. Too easy!

Almost 36 hours before somebody picked up on that one. I'm a little disappointed.

Brew wrote on Dec 8^th, 2009 at 7:26am:

Bob P wrote on Dec 8th, 2009 at 7:11am: Quote: That little blower has been a godsend. Too easy! Almost 36 hours before somebody picked up on that one. I'm a little disappointed.

[smiley=ohjez.gif] [smiley=smartass2.gif] [smiley=ohjez.gif]

Even if i am chronic i very rarely have any hits while sleeping.no idea why this happens.shadows or hits,start from the point i wake up in the morning.

i sleep always all year round with the window open.
i mean locked but the glass part open.even if it is winter and i am with the blankets i want to feel i breathe fresh air.And i rarely change a pillow.i can't stand the flaffy(what's the word?) ones.i like the sleep
after they have become more flat.
Of course i can't say if all these have to do something with the ch part.. :(