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.

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 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.

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 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!

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.

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

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!

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.

Thank you for making this video!!

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 ❤

An excellent, informative support video. Thank you

Awesome video!

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!

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!

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.

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! ❤

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

As a very pear shaped person, THANK YOU! The fact i cant handle camping mattresses AT ALL and keeps me out of a lot of things i would like to do outdoors

The MOST helpful video! Wow...

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

Wow best Sleep & pain video I've ever watched

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 👍

Brilliant video. I feel so seen 🥲

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

very helpful, thanks

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 🙏

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

You’re a very eloquent and knowledgable presenter 😊

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

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

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. 🙏🏻

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

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

Thank you so much for this video! About 2 weeks now I've come to realize my hypermobility is the cause of the many issues I am having. I knew for some time I was hypermobile but never connected the dots (I just thought it was very convenient during yoga). But now I know why sleeping on my side hurts my back and shoulders. Thank you so much again for these insights. The last few weeks have been that one puzzle piece after the other falls right into place... you just got yourself a new follower 😊 Ps. I love to sleep on my back. With a small pillow under my knees. I will start looking for a new pillow soon since I think mine is a bit high.

Very helpful

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’m 23 and struggling, thanks so much mate

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

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 ❤

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 😊

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

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

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.

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.

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.

it feels so unfair that no doctor has diagnosed me. but i have all the things you are talking about, and you are so educated on it. you know so much. but it’s like not even known about where i am and i’m not getting the right help😭

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"? 😂😂😂

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!!!! ❤

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!

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!!!

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 🙏

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 🤘

#1: Tight Nissen fundoplication is a lifesaver. #2: I use 5 comforters to shape however I like. #3: Humidifier and large air purifier are a must for me.

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

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

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!

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?

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?

This is great, thanks. I know youre not doing affiliate links but any chance of a link to the pillow? Or just what to put into google? 😊

I'm looking forward to a NO PAIN morning!

Wow thank you for explaining all these issues. Now how do you go about switching sides with this pillow? Or do you not?

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!

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

I Front sleep with CPAP machine so can have my face down a bit more. I have 2 thin pillow and so i can have my head in a better position, i kinda cuddle one of the pillows. We also have a water bed which molds to your body shape. It's so good. Shoulders are a major issue for me. I've also go a very large chest.

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’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

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.

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 👍

Thank you so much.. ive wondered about those pillows for ages. I also have a hypermobility ankle ( born with it overextended) i have ti strap it uo at night ti keep it stable. When hips and back wre really bad the only positioni can take is on my back with two firm pillowsunder my knees and two wedges of very reistant foam ( like big door stops) that i made myself under my hips. Tens machine helps at that point. Iknow there are new generation ones wothout wires id like to try. Ive also thought obout the slippery undersheet and p.js thst can make yurning much easier. At the moment ive found long sayin nightdresses really help me turn. As does holding onto the mattress handles!

This video is ridiculously helpful. I am so hypermobile and have been in pain while sleeping the last 4 years. I am ordering a pregnancy pillow. Asap!!! Thank you for this thorough contecnt!

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’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 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.

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.

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

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'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...

I do the pillow between the legs. But i have no problem. Or if i sleep on my side and the knee is up. The pillow is under my knee. But yep it does get thrown out

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

Great video. You can still get Pez btw.

Thanks for covering this. I sleep like a pretzel which gave me dvt in the juggular.

Would love to get your thoughts on the zero gravity sleep position (both back and side with the bed in a zero gravity position)! And would really appreciate the name of the pillow you use in the video. I got the Medcline system a year or so ago and while it helps the shoulder issues, I’m still struggling with back pain :/ their body pillow is fantastic but they don’t have a u shaped version which I think would be super helpful for me, and I haven’t seen any comparable pillows (in terms of materials and such) so far :(

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.

I have hEDS and experience most of what you talked about. I never realized some of this was happening, i.e. my hyoid bone slipping. It's good to put a name, so to speak, to it. Where can I find that pillow?

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

I’m not diagnose hyper mobile but I have extremely lax shoulders, and I have knee issues. I had a pinched nerve in my neck and in turn with taking steroids had to sleep on my back… I tried the whole pillow under the knees which didn’t help. Once I was done with the steroids it was back to sleeping on my side. I’ll try to see if I can get one of those pillows. I recently found pillows that are fiberfill and feathers, they are a mix of my favorite thing about a feather pillow, and my favorite thing about a fiberfill. I also need to get my room clean so I can get my new mattress from my sister’s house and see if it will help. To note I have knowingly dislocated (and personally relocated) one of my knees twice. Now they sublimate a lot. I’m pretty sure I’ve dislocated ribs and one of my hips on several occasions. I have dislocated my right shoulder blade several times, and I can tell when it it because it hurts to move, it also juts out more then normal.

Any thoughts on eds & scoliosis sleeping positions? I was taught to sleep on my back as a kid, but now I have severe scoliosis my back isn’t flat so without a really good memory foam mattress i end up in a lot of pain. Family history of sleep apnoea and I’ve got a heart arrhythmia…I’ve never thought about this until now so thanks so much for this!!!

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

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

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

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.

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

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. 🙂

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.

Please tell me where I can buy this pillow I’m in Australia thank you, I would appreciate it

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 😅