Hypermobility/EDS and Sleep 

* A Little footnote: I should of said cardiac patients favour their right side, I just noticed this when watching the video back*

Waking up from a dislocated shoulder is always so much fun. At least it goes back in easily

I am 33 and trying to get diagnosed with EDS. I saw this video about 4 days ago and my pregnancy pillow arrived yesterday. I woke up this morning and my face doesn't ache from sleepiness, my joints feel better, I didn't wake myself up from SI pain trying to reposition myself multiple times in the night. You may have changed my life and I am so incredibly grateful. I seriously don't have the words. Thank you.

Not me watching this while laying on my side and my shoulder falling into my chin and arm twisting all weird 😅😅😂

I'm 22, hypermobile and have had insomnia most of my life. The most comfortable nights of sleep I've had have been in a cheap net hammock whilst camping. I don't know if it's advisable, but I'm probably going to end up installing one if I ever own a house

I have extremely unstable knee and hips joints so I have the strangest mix of pillows all over my bed to support everything. So glad I came across this video!

I have had issues with my throat on and off for years! I have tried so hard to find the proper terminology for what’s been happening and have seen multiple doctors with no help. I even went to the ER one time because I felt that it was affecting my breathing and I was in a lot of pain every time I swallowed. No one knew what was wrong. Over the years I’ve found that aggressively coughing can pop things back into place but it still brings on a lot of anxiety when it happens. Thank you so much for talking about the hyoid bone, it’s helpful to know what is happening!

On the face down position, you put you face on the edge of the pillow, instead of in the middle. This way the neck is less craned. When I have a cold, I move my head and pillow to the edge of my bed for even more air circulation. Another possibility is the half down, half sideways position, where you are angled between perpendicular and flat...

I have hypermobility and I think this video just saved my life. I just slept for 9 hours straight with the pregnancy pillow and woke up with NO pain at all!! Bless you for sharing this and thank God for leading me to you.

2 nights sleeping like this and best sleep I’ve ever had. No joint pain on waking. No round the bed trip trying to get comfy. Only have a V pillow but just ordered a larger one. Keeping me off my shoulder I’m waiting to have physio on after repeat sublux (Hyper mobile). Only diagnosed 2 weeks ago at 42 and so glad I found your socials ❤

I felt so called out in this video in the absolute best way! Been having shoulder issues the past few months I couldn't figure out. It's 100% the side sleeping. Interestingly, I have less acid reflux on my right side instead of the left. Just ordered one of those pillows. Thank you for this video!

Wow! Thank you for this video! I was diagnosed with EDS and POTS 5 yrs ago following the birth of my daughter. I have struggled with insomnia since I was a kid, but it became debilitaing (as well as the POTS) to the point of forcing me to quit working. Severe GERD that didn't resolve after my pregnancy didn't help. Long story short, even after my diagnosis, working with doctors that dont understand all the implications of EDS, it has taken a lot of research on my part to realize I was subluxing my shoulders, hips, and ribs. I bought a giant pregnancy pillow and trained myself to sleep on my back with my adjustable bed's head raised. I actually have the middle curve of the pillow under my knees and hug the ends of the pillow under each arm. It keeps me from rolling over. When i have issues with my shoulders rolling forward and my lower back becomes strained i place a long, thin round pillow along the length of my spine from top of the tail bone to the base of my skull. Seems to help and i have finally managed to get an average of 5 to 6 hrs of good quality sleep. I also recently had an endoscopy and barium swallow test for the exact thing you were describing with hyoid displacement! (My drs agreed that that was the likely cause of my discomfort after i showed them some research!) Sorry for the long comment but I wanted to express my gratitude for the validation your video gave me and is in a form I can share with drs and those around me that dont seem to think that sleep can cause me so many issues. This was incredibly informative, covering many comorbities in one place when it is so rare for those to ever be mentioned in any sort of context that someone with EDS would encounter it and be able to bring those concerns to their drs. So..... THANK YOU! ❤

Fantastic video! I’m hypermobile, and I am also a bodyworker and trainer who specializes in working with hypermobile folks. This is such a great resource! I appreciate you!

Great advice and detailed analysis. Retired occupational therapist here, can observe patterns in others. Not so good in analyzing myself, past adjusting position when joints start feeling pull due to laxity. This is so helpful to hear the full-meal deal, and will listen to this several times. Seems that people on the downhill side of 50 would benefit from watching this video, since you cover so many medical/body issues. Well done.

I’m too much for my G.P😂😂 no seriously though, I give up. I’ve been diagnosed with benign Hypermobility, gerd, fibromyalgia, insomnia, TMJ disorder and anxiety/depression. I’m always in pain on different scales, but I’m totally fed up as a human being.

I wanted to extend a thank you for the best sleep I've had in years (if not ever). After watching your video I jumped straight in and ordered the pregnancy pillow you showed and OMG that bad boy is a godsend. I've been trying other options for years and never managed anything sustainable or suitable. Your 'what, why & how' approach provided the information I've been craving. Thank you 🤘

just ordered a pregnancy pillow. it makes a lot of sense to me before I was even diagnosed as being hyper mobile that I wanted one because it looked like it would make me sleep more comfy but I never got one idk why. anyways fast forward and I have been diagnosed as ADHD, autistic and hyper mobile and I struggle with sleep and anxiety so much. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow to hopefully get a gabapentin prescription to help with the chronic pain aspect of hyper mobility while also helping with the anxiety it gives me. I'm hoping that if I get approved for the prescription that I am able to manage my pain and anxiety better so I can get better quality sleep! for the last few years my sleep duration and quality has gotten worse and worse and I average about 5 hours a night and wake up frequently either very alert or in pain. this video was very helpful and informative, I want to keep educating myself on these issues to better help myself and others who make be struggling with the same things. the only thing I am a bit sad about using my pregnancy pillow is it will be difficult to cuddle with my gf at night ;-; lol

This hit ALLLLL the points and described why I do not sleep well. Mind blown. Very helpful

Have HEDS and I've always had problems when it comes to sleep. Have snoring and breading problems when sleeping on the back, have issues with my ribs, hips, arms, shoulders and neck when sleeping on the side and sleep on my stomach *no way*. Have been at the doctor, rehab center, special doctors and no one have been able to help me. But when you described all the stuff with the joints, it all makes sense... I need to get one of those pillows now! Thank you so very much! 💜💙💚Hopefully my back and shoulders will hurt a little bit less 😊

Until my reflux got insane in my 30's, my favorite sleep position was my stomach. Except, I slept with my arms under my legs lol. It took me a long time to learn how to sleep with a pillow, and I still rarely use one. I'll be 50 next month and I mostly sleep in a ball like a cat. The worst thing about that is simply trapping heat and waking drenched in sweat. I've always run hot in my sleep and it (and reflux) cause me the most problems. Or waking with my wrists in extreme pain because I decided to fold them under my neck. I hate sleeping and push myself past exhaustion just to avoid it. If I lie flat for too long, my hips sublux and my knees hyperextend. I'll look into those pregnancy pillows! Great video.

You’re a hero! Thanks for talking about the hyoid bone. I’ve had some slippiness there over the past couple years but didn’t understand it fully. I love being able to be specific with my doctor about my symptoms. This video is wonderful; loved your article too. You’re helping so many people. 🙏🏻

Switching to a Soft foam mattress and using lots of props helped immensely

I have always slept on my front due to unstable shoulders. As a child I realised that it was the only position I didn’t feel pain in and could actually relax. Must’ve contributed to my neck issues 😅 After a very bad period of low shoulder stability due to unrehabilitated injury, I have strenghtened my shoulder muscles and now sleeping on the side is 1. possible, 2. comfortable. I have never heard anyone speak about the things I’ve been trying to figure out for years, and I am so glad to discover your channel. Thank you for putting such detailed information out there, very excited to learn more through your channel!!!! ❤

Thank you, I feel seen. I think I have experienced all of the problems :/. Rotating much at night; always more or less tired through the day ..

I had to come back after a couple weeks to thank you. I was unable to sleep for months after a work injury triggered TOS. My hands would be so painfully numb it would wake me up. With all these tips and tools I have been able to fix that and I’m able to get a full 8 hours again. THANK YOU!!!

The tips about shoulder and hip width and related were really helpful. I cannot remember ever having a comfortable bed and I wake a lot and in pain then usually change position. I am need a new bed and am going to take all this info into consideration. I find side is better but i have shoulder issues, i cannot manage to stay on my back. I am tired of being sore and tired. No one I asked could give me helpful info on beds or pillows.

Love these validations.. cardiac issues sleep in left.. yesssss

Thank you for this. I learned a lot that I didn't know as a hypermobile EDS person.

RU-vid showed me this finally when i needed it, THANK YOU. I finally can talk to my doctor with more info about why my arm is messed up.

You’re a very eloquent and knowledgable presenter 😊

Thank you for this video. I am sleeping with the C pillow for a week now and i feel so much beter. And my back is almost not hurting annymore during the day. Thank you ❤

I am definitely a “changes positions” sleeper, often multiple times per night until I finally go understand and then I’m down for the count. I’ve struggled a lot with sleep and hypermobility, but I have sort of figured out the combination of support pillows and angles that works for me. I tend to have three rectangular pillows of various size and firmness that I may shuffle around for support in different places depending on if I’m on my side or back, creating a ramp to keep the gerd at bay, or a channel for my shoulder while on my side. But I also have found that a snap-on neck pillow to support my neck is crucial, and someone gave me this little almost hourglass-shaped pillow which sits snugly between my thighs and doesn’t move - this has been a game changer. I haven’t been able to get one of those pregnancy pillows to try yet, it is something I have considered, but now after watching this video I’m even more interested. I’ve sort of been simulating one, I’m wondering if it would be able to provide the specific neck support I need.

I'm looking forward to a NO PAIN morning!

Im 17 and discovered eds a few days ago and it explains everything that’s ever been wrong with me especially my terrible acid reflux. i’ve never really been able to sleep comfortably but i tried this last night and omg thank you!!!

I feel like this video is a life saver! I sleep on my right side, have GERD and major issues with my shoulder hypermobility causing issues with my collar bones and my hips....I have struggled with pillows and mattresses most of my life. This has so much info that I feel will actually help me!! Thank you 🙏

Finally got through this, glad I did, thank you for the demonstration. I had heard of pregnancy pillows but didn't quite know what to picture. This seems like it would fix the problem of me having 3-5 pillows to be adjusting all the time.

Im 35 and i knew my body was different but I never knew it’s a condition until few days ago. Just a simple terminology helped me to find such a good and helpful content, like this! I sleep with 3 different pillows and I’m very picky about the mattress, but I’ll definitely try the pregnancy pillow now. And check all of your videos ofc😊 thank you!

Thank you this! Im one of the unlucky ones that is having hypermobility issues almost everywhere. Going to try out some of these!

5 minutes in and I saved this video. Thank you so much for this info I'll definitely be subscribing.

Thank you so much for this! I feel alone and am learning more about hEDS while waiting for an official diagnosis. Everything you're talking about is what I struggle with daily, among many other issues, but this video was a great help!

This channel should have more views. This video is so informative. Thank you!

Excellent information and explanation as to why certain positions cause pain during the night. I use a pregnancy pillow also but mine is shaped like an upside down U - that way I can easily roll over when needed during the night without having to take the pillow with me.

I'm hypermobile + ADHD and I have a pregnancy pillow for 2 months. I sleep much better now, more comfy, more snuggly. However, mine is a little too high on the head, I may need to put some of the filling out. And biggest problem: I'm moving a lot in my sleep, and I also need to have this freedom. Usually I turn around a lot and it's like a workout each night. The big pregancy pillow is restricting and that wakes me up some time in the night and I need to kick it away to not get too irritated...

Very helpful, thanks the algorithm. I just wrap the duvet around my legs, probably for hips and knees and when you talked about it it finally made sense

Been sleeping with a bolster about a week now and it's a game changer for me! Thanks so much for the clear, detailed video

I have a hypermobility disorder but haven’t yet found out if it is EDS… going to try the prego pillow , you literally explained my struggle

As a Zebra who loves side sleeping, it depends on whats bad that night. I can have my hips or shoulders sublux or fully dislocate, i have a horrible stomach so laying down causes vomiting sometimes. Plus neck and back issues. Oh and slipping ribs that if you accidently roll onto youll stop breathing its too painful. Neuropathy makes it hard when your nerves catch fire and start twitching. Also, neurodivergence causes the brain to kick on andmake sleep a forgotten idea. Sleep feels impossible most of the time. I used to take hard sleep drugs to knock me out than deal with the consequences of how i end up sleeping in the am. Now i just deal with lack of sleep :( lol. We appreciate these tips luv!

My SI dislocates every single night, plus all the other benefits of fibro and eds and myasthenia Gravis

I'd like to commend you on this aaamazing and important video!! Really well thought out. Excellent work 🤠

What's the pillow called I have all of what you've mentioned and not getting good sleep

Wow best Sleep & pain video I've ever watched

I am super excited to have found this video! Can’t wait to watch the rest of your videos. Hopefully I can find a position to sleep in comfortably when my pillow arrives. I flip side to side all night long trying to get comfortable. I currently sleep with a pillow between my knees and one under my arm to keep my shoulders more comfortable…still not comfortable. SI Joint and shoulder instability issues. Thanks 🙏

Words cannot express how much I appreciate all this information! I believe this is what I have and I am just starting to research!

I’ve learned to sleep against the wall at a diagonal angle. I’ll set up a blanket against the wall, a soft pillow, and a body pillow in front of me to separate my arms and legs

Do you have any u shaped pillow recommendations? A lot I see online are not as advertised (flat and thin)

I'm a depends on what's going on at the time type person for sleep but best sleep is in a recliner because it's back but not flat either and legs are a little up which helps me with not being completely flat with this and POTS.

7 pillows. under my ankles so feet dont' touch anything. 2 between my knees. one on each side for my head. one to hug. one for resting my hand/arm so elbow doesn't over extend. roll from side to side all night. many sedating Rx, 2 benadryl, 50 mg Elavil, 30mg melatonin, cetirizene, 10 mg flexiril. I saw a sub Dr when mine was on vacay. she said that I shouldn't be taking so many sedating meds. I said WELL I HAVEN'T WOKE UP DEAD YET! in my head I said "mind your own freaking business". my dr has no problem with it.

I’m 49 And I have EDS + Sleep Apnea, I have to sleep with a CPAP but I want to be able to sleep without subluxations or Dislocations of my joints, too. I have cEDS or Classical EDS. My rib is the problem area mainly during sleep 💤. I have GERD and I noticed that, Thanks for the helpful hint!

I always sleep in a prone position, basically like a mid-army crawl, or in the typical chalk-outline shape that you most often see on TV. And I switch back and forth all night from orienting my weight from left to right, alternating which knee is bent and which is straight. This is necessary because the straight leg always falls asleep fairly quickly. I have a lot of co-morbidities, including narcolepsy, which, in addition to excessive daytime sleepiness, also causes nighttime insomnia. I'm also extremely pear-shaped. My husband prefers a sturdier mattress, so I added a down-alternative mattress topper, and also sleep with 2-3 down-alt pillows. I usually don't put any pillow under my head. I more often line 2 of my pillows parallel to one another, and use them to give more attention to the support of my hips, depending on which leg is raised, while also having the opportunity to hug the pilliows with the bent arm, and stretching the straight/downward arm underneath the pillow, so the pillow is between my arm and my body, which helps my shoulders, as well as circulation to my hands (which also fall asleep). I should also mention that I have polyneuropathy as the result of a chronic, undressed spinal injury. It's fixed now, but the nerve damage is irreversible. Whenever I feel it's necessary, I will sometimes place the third pillow perpendicular to the others, at the bottom of those that are positioned lengthwise, which provides additional support for my hips and pelvis.

The body pillows are genius. I know what I am getting for christmas this year! My ribs are killing me these days.

Really helpful video! A lot of great advice and info. I’ve been having a lot of neck issues and tingling down my arm/hand and a lot makes sense now. I’ll be getting one of those pillows to try asap 👍

thankyou!! all my pains and aches / and hacks explained. appreciate all the info and detailed demos.

I have just turned 60 a couple of days ago and have recently been told that it's likely I have Hypermobility. I've been telling people for years I have over the top flexibility and not one of those doctors said anything, So my journey and new bed starts now. But I do have one question if you wouldn't mind sharing. "How big is that bed"? 😂😂😂

Our adrenaline kicks in at night with EDS too. An adrenaline blocker like Metoprolol ER Succinate can help.

I was a front sleeper as a child, then a side sleeper. After hip surgeries and DDD I’m down to my back. Adjustable bed in zero gravity position is great for me. I love sleeping on my side, but too much pain. Oh well.

What kind of pillow is the big gray one? A long pregnancy one? So many helpful tips!!

Thank you so much for this. I watched it from beginning to end and learned more in thirty minutes from you, than thirty years of living with hypermobilism. Also, what size if your bed, it's huge!

Can you please, please post info about which pregnancy pillow you're using in this video? Thank you for all your support to the EDS/HSD community ! ❤

I sleep in stable side position most of the time everything else feels to wobly . But i get inflamation of my chest bone sometimes from the presure . so this is a really good video 😅

28:02 dude u sold me on the pillow here lol. I need it, for all these reasons ai feel like it could help me a lot. It takes me a while every-night just to get too comfortable, with this U pillows it could be so beneficial and make it so much easier to sleep! Needless to say, I might have EDS and life is difficult. Any of these pillows you can recommend or link? I will check on Amaz but I must have one, looks well comfy😊 Thanks for the informative video.

i knew the need for a soft mattress had to be related. i noticed a big difference staying long term with family using an old firm mattress vs. the two futon mattresses i had stacked with a pillow top cover. my body is literally crying for replacements.

The reasons I had to stop singing kettle bells for strengthen, started pulling my neck out, laxity collarbone left side

Omg I have narrow hips and YESSSS I love my mom’s firm bed. I hate my memory foam bed 😭 thank you !!

I sleep all over the place 😅 constantly moving trying to find a pain free position ... buying a pregnancy pillow, my symptoms are hips, leg, back, neck and shoulder mainly on the right side. Tried smaller pillows/props in the past with no joy so maybe the bigger pillow will help. Tiny hips . Good video 👍

Good,informative video. I would just like to add that one of the problems with the pregnancy pillows for me is that I find them too hot. I have transitioned from back sleeping to side sleeping but still only get decent sleep if I am cool. For me this is a summer weight duvet in the depths of winter and only a cotton sheet in summer. As you say trial and error. 🙂

Thank you for this amazing video! I'm going to try one of those pillows!

I suspect my ribcage hypermobility is twisting while I'm asleep and causing my diaphragm on the right to not function properly. Any suggestions? My serratus anterior on the right is chronically tight and might be pulling the ribs.

I have GERD and sleeping on my right where stomach is in higher position is terrible. Left and back - kind of ok. Front, hips in so much pain on waking. I have type 3

Great video❤

Thank you very much for the video will order a pillow and see !!!!!!

Brilliant video. I feel so seen 🥲

The MOST helpful video! Wow...

I finally got all my pillows and ergonomics right, only to now have sleeplessness due to incessant sweats from dysautonomia/POTS 🤦‍♀️ Too bad EDS is not usually alone 😢

The name of the pillow was left out the description box? Please help 😂

I think I switch back and forth between side and back sleeping. My hips like to sleep froggy on my back but my knees like the freedom of movement that side sleeping allows (they m fucking hurt if they stay in any position for too long). Also, Hypermobility and EDS are very common within the autistic and Neurodiverse community. Obvs everyone's sensory experiences are different, but I feel like, at least this autistic, would enjoy weighted-blanket style cuddliness of that pillow.

On my back with a neck brace is the only thing that works for me. Also solo sleeping in my own room (my chihuahua is allowed but no partner). Or I won’t sleep.

I finally got diagnosed with hypermobility last year but have struggled with it my whole life. Sleep has always been hard for me. Insomnia since high school. I can only sleep flat on my back, or I may pop my collar bone out of place😢 just have to learn tricks.

Awesome video!

Great info, but I have an off-topic question... dude, how big is your bed?? Is that an Alaskan king?

Thank you so much for this -- you've described my experience perfectly! Question: What size *IS* that bed!? Is it 2 queens put together?

Very helpful

Thank you for making this video!!

An excellent, informative support video. Thank you

Very interesting video. I'm thinking of trying one of those pillows, does it need to be S shaped or would a flexible U shape do the same?

I went from a soft mattress (which worked well) to a memory foam mattress. BIG MISTAKE! I found that I continued to sink deeper into the memory foam mattress during the night… since my hips have more weight than my torso, hips went deeper into the mattress which caused my spine to be bent in a downward position. I could position myself with pillows like you discussed and be able to fall asleep quickly, but in a few hours my lower back and left hip are in pain. Word of warning about memory foam mattresses!

Very helpful thank you. I will give it a go!

Hello, thanks for the info! As I get older I am experiencing more issues relating to my hypermobility but it’s also motivating me to look into what I can do to help manage the condition. I have realised that my symptoms are worse in the morning, likely due to poor sleeping posture and the pillow you have demonstrated in this video looks like a promising solution! Please can you share a link to the pillow?

very helpful, thanks

I'm hypermobile and toss and turn from the pain all night. I can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep. I'm going to have to try one of those pillows!

i sleep in the running pose as my hips hurt it’s 5 am and still awake if i could i’d sleep on my head 😂such great information thanks for sharing