Update on my Pillow system for snoring / sleep apnoea / pregnancy etc.

I am making a new product to help people sleep on their side. I am trying to make a perfect design for my factory partners to manufacture for mass production. This is an update video on this process.
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[@gracebird7594]

Thank you Vik for all your efforts to help us all. It is appreciated. 🙏

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

it's a pleasure. thank you for your comment

[@CandyDae]

I attended a Gokhale Method workshop (posture training) and one of the things they taught was to sleep with a whole bunch of pillows that you could tuck around yourself in different ways to support various parts of the body. I'm excited to think you're creating a product that will provide that kind of custom sleep support. Thank you for working so hard to bring us the real rest we have been lacking.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

hopefully this will help, otherwise the sea of pillows sounds cool

[@kevinwhite6176]

I've been a side sleeper my whole life, and actually thought it was strange that people could ever sleep on their back. Not only do I snore that way, and can hardly breathe (my jaw drops open and back and my tongue falls back), I also end up having my arms and hands go numb if I lie flat on my back. So I'm definitely keeping an eye on this whole thing.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I am not sure this will be that useful for you, but i'm glad you are interested. if you can already sleep on your side, i think you will find this an expensive treat rather than something that you need to have. once the final video explaining it with all the details comes out you can make up your own mind about it.

[@StavyySlav]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon What would be useful for him other CPAP / Mouth taping? MAD?

[@KayoEll]

​@@VikVeerENTSurgeon I, too, am a side sleeper, but I find it uncomfortable to sleep on my side. I'm currently doing physical therapy because of the shoulder problems that have been caused by sleeping on my side. So even though I'm naturally a side sleeper, I think this would still be helpful for me (and other "natural" side sleepers).

[@susibul5320]

@@KayoEll well explained Kay, I have the same side sleeping shoulder problem, a softer mattress is helpful but comes with different problems around the back area but it’s been better since sliding a wooden floor board under the middle of the mattress to support the back area only, I'm hoping Vik can come up with a solution, it sounds good.

[@stillaliveandwell5291]

Hello Dr Veer. I have been commenting about my recent Inspire install (turn on date on July 24th!). I have been forced to be a side sleeper for 40 years (I'm 71) mainly because of hiatal hernia that I did not take care of properly but do much better now. I have creases in the skin of my hairless skull on the right side from this, but I have many of the issues that you mention. I only weigh 117 pounds or about 52 kg. I have a long neck which is easy to get sore from improper alignment (and 25 year ago diagnosis of fibromyalgia). The main problem is my ear gets smashed to my skull and hurts quite a bit. I have tried making a pillow with a hole or indentation for my ear to relieve the pressure but could not get that to work. I now use an old piece of memory foam topper and an old thin regular pillow to approximate the right alignment for my spine and therefore less pressure on my ear. It works pretty good but does not last all night. I recently discovered that I need to make sure my entire long neck is under the pillow. I have always used one or 2 pillows between my legs (which are quite bony as you might imagine at my weight). I now use 2 pillows to prop up my left arm to stop the chest compression. Works quite well. Right now there is still a lot of pain from the surgery and possibly leftover mis-alignment of my jaw from wearing those awful oral appliances for the jaw. I had a prescription one custom made and used it for 8 months and stopped about 5 months ago and since then the pain became less and less until the Inspire operation, so not sure how much is intertwined between the 2. The pain is in my ear and in my skull behind the ear as well as a little at the base of the tongue where the wire is form tongue , so sleeping has been a real mess. Can't do the right side, snore terribly on my back and l upset the hiatal hernia if l sleep on my left side which messes up my day making it more difficult to eat properly. My ear is the main culprit now. I only last about 2 hours on the apap and have terrible scores every night. I also have bruxism but it hurts to wear the custom mouthpiece which usually is no problem and have been using successfully for years. If you need a beta tester in the States I'm your willing subject. I have found just recently that if l turn all the way over on my left side and point my head down and rest slightly on my stomach like you mention in this video that that is a reasonably comfortable position with less pressure on the hiatal hernia which l think is a similar problem internally to the heavily pregnant woman and a cut off of blood flow. Also sleeping on my left side can work for a few hours if my stomach is completely empty so light dinner and no eating for at least 5 hours before bed really helps. My shoulders used to get sore from being scrunched but raising my left arm higher and sleeping on a slightly softer mattress (no problem since l weigh so little) has eliminated shoulder soreness although I do get occasional numbness like you also mention in this video. I have figure out that propping the 2 pillows for my left arm in a certain way by pushing the ends together can create a tunnel for my right arm which is quite comfortable. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!

[@dentalgirl1981]

Love hearing this. You are a wonderful physician and it's obvious you care about people.

[@Stormy22]

I cannot wait to get one. Ive learned so much from this man about sleep apnea and sleeping positions etc etc. He knows all the little details that really aren't so little. They help. They work alot of the time.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

the little details make all the difference.

[@cyeager11]

Love the perfectionist attitude towards this product and the fact that you're truly trying to find a solution for people, not just make money. My largest issue with side sleeping devices like the WoodyKnows is that I still somehow find a way to unconsciously turn to my back with the device rotating to allow me to do it. Hoping for the best for your pillow solution!

[@dpatel670]

Hi Vik looking forward to the arrival of the pillow system. Since my sleep study you informed me that my sleep apnea is less when sleeping on my side which I have been doing since, using a large pillow on my side. So looking forward your pillow.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I really hope it will help you. one day i hope to have it freely available on the NHS.

[@bromie21]

Thank you. Yes while the backpack solution is good. It uncomfortable after a few hours. A consideration I didn’t hear you mention was usability, it shouldn’t be hassle to put on or to use. Thanks for all you do!

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

thank you, I want to bring something useful to the field. I hope it'll work for you.

[@eunicehehir6374]

Hello Vic. This system, if made up of separate sections for different body areas, sounds like it will suit people of different body types and sizes/lengths. This is a terrific idea.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

thank you! - it is taking time, and i am experimenting with different methods to make it accessible to all different body types. it makes it more complex, but i hope a good video about it will explain how to use it correctly when it is eventually available for purchase.

[@joyfulable]

Looking forward to finished product x

[@stuartsutherland7664]

This pillow design sounds really exciting! I sleep on my left side using a memory foam pillow raised in height slightly by a folded towel. I have a pillow between the legs for hip comfort and a pillow under my right upper arm to alleviate discomfort of shoulder pain. It all helps but it's not perfect. I'm always on the lookout for a better system.

[@paulabraden974]

I've always been a side sleeper, but always waking up with a sore shoulder and arm (plus a compromised C7 nerve doesn't help). I would give anything to minimise that..plus my partner snores badly on his back, and I am forever rolling him over. So I'm pretty sure if all turns out like you say, there will be 2 happy customers. Here's hoping that you can ship to Australia 😁🤞

[@123chintz]

I love that you go off at a tangent. Shows us how creative you are. Never apologise for that. And perfectionism gets the job done well❤

[@barbaradelilah1098]

Fabulous can’t wait to see it

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

once I have something to sell, I will reveal all.

[@Hapilez]

You're a legend for this, will defs help alot of people. Also would be curious to know your thoughts on this, CPAP helped me abit, then CPAP + MAD together helped me more but then sleeping with all three has significantly improved how I feel, the third being the back cushion to prevent sleeping on my back. But I agree I toss and turn and get sore arms with my amazon inflatable backpack.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I hope this will help you more. let's see how it goes.

[@abdulahamer6238]

Would love to see a preorder for this system!

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I will need to set up pre orders to pay for the first batch. please sign up to the newsletter.

[@spring12431]

I'm so looking forward to when it will be available! I'm not kidding when I say I wonder about the progress of your pillow every few days. haha

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I will keep you informed as much as i can. anything in particular you want it to achieve?

[@spring12431]

​@@VikVeerENTSurgeon I think you've already thought of most the things someone like me would want. I guess the key things are keeping my mouth from opening, jaw from collapsing and resulting tongue collapse from happening while still being comfortable? Traditional side sleeping doesn't really seem to help me (maybe it would be worse if I slept on my back?) but I'm intrigued by the recovery sleeping position you've discussed. I don't think I'd be able to achieve sleeping in that position without neck pain if I didn't have a special pillow set up like you're designing.

[@fizgig2016]

I finally bought a cube shaped pillow and it has been amazing. I am looking forward to your pillow system too. Love your videos!

[@eunicehehir6374]

We are asleep 7 to 10 hours per 24 hour period. Sleep time is supposed to be restorative. Your system might also increase health restoration.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

that would be amazing. you do need this sleep to function correctly. thanks for the comment.

[@garywoodward3799]

Thank you, Vik. I saw you recently in your private practice. This pillow sounds like a great idea. I’ve been advised to sleep on my side, but it’s a bit uncomfortable at the moment.

[@claudbob1849]

Appreciate your efforts, Dr. I use your videos to educate my GP on the various facets of SA. Btw, just had my comprehensive OSS at QVH, East Grinstead last week...as 18 months with CPAP just hasn't got easier...😊

[@alihamdan1298]

Thank you Dr Vik for all your efforts to make our life better. Yes we are facing serious problem and hope your pillow system would fix it. You are passionate about your works and seems to be perfectionist hence I'm waiting for an innovative solution and over the time the product can be better and better. Thank you again and waiting for it to order it.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

thank you !

[@richardemerson8075]

Proper 'aha!' moment there around 3:00 -- it had never occurred to me that my side-sleeping (the only comfortable way for me) might contribute to my general "forward posture" (slumping) and kyphosis. This pillow system sounds amazing so far, can't wait to learn more!

[@genkestrel7254]

Your excitement is so nice to see. I don't suffer from obstructive sleep issues, though I really do like the sound of your pillow system! Thank you for your perfectionism :) (P.s I think you would enjoy Iyengar yoga because the practice incorporates lots of props like cushion bolsters, cotton belts, foam blocks, chairs, sticks and more 😃

[@Ebonyqwe]

I’m a partial quadriplegic and suffer, as many quads do, from obstructive sleep apnoea. A pillow system that can help me sleep on my side would be helpful to try and reduce the amount of pressure support I require from my cpap machine which is becoming so high it causes a leak which I can’t prevent by adjusting my mask fit. Previous sleep studies have shown that I require less pressure lying on my side . I will follow this with interest.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I'm hopeful this will help you. fingers crossed

[@KoenDeJaeger]

Waauw, this is gonna be awsome.

[@pataeria]

Cant wait to see your sleep system "pillow"

[@miticav3709]

I am looking forward to it :)

[@Ranjit12]

Would love to buy this and test it! My sleep study said i dont have OSA on my side!

[@peterg2955]

Would you ever consider working with Levitex would be a great link up

[@elaineinnz]

I have all the problems you describe! It's only become a problem in the 1-2 years, but I wake up with pain in the shoulder I'm laying on, or the other arm because it's too far forward. Or one knee is compressed by the other (torn meniscus injuries), or I wake because I've fallen onto my back and I can't breathe (despite the cpap). I have tried a myriad of pillows, so I hope your ideas come to fruition :)

[@gregblank247]

After you determine the shapes 2 mandatory requirements: 1) No foams or chemicals or off-gasing - all natural materials - natural latex and organic cotton hypoallergenic options 2) Does this system actually prevent you from sleeping on your back? That's also key :) I will be very interested for myself and family.

[@mscatnipper2359]

I've been sleeping on my left side, with a full-size pillow between my knees, for decades. Now I have prominent varicose veins in the inner side of my leg in the knee area. I'm training myself to keep my right leg on the pillow, placed immediately below my bent left knee.. Fingers crossed that helps.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I hope that this pillow helps with this as well.

[@user-si3wz2nb4h]

I suggest you research inclined bed therapy

[@AurumEtAes]

I think it’s great that you are thinking seriously about pillow design. I’ve had OSA for many years. If I fall asleep without meaning to, I might well be lying on my back. To deliberately fall asleep when I should be sleeping, I have to lie on my side or it doesn’t happen. I’ve asked the CPAP technicians at my hospital about any recommendations or patient feedback about special pillows for CPAP users and they have no advice to give me. I often feel that I sleep on the bottom edge of my pillow, with my neck and shoulders getting into all kinds of uncomfortable positions. This cannot be doing me any favours. It would definitely be easier as a CPAP user if I could fall asleep on my back at night and stay on my back all night. Is this the recommended position to sleep? I’ve never heard anyone acknowledge the discomfort for a shoulder or ear of side sleeping all night before

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

let's hope you think it'll help you. I hope it does.

[@leor2252]

Hey Doc, do you have any fellow Surgeon here in the Florida,USA area you can recomend me for a lingual RFA? Thanks for your explanations, you have raised my awareness on my sleep apnea problems a lot

[@iDTecKt]

Problem for me is that my chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia what ever you want to call it (due to my disorder), makes it highly uncomfortable for me to sleep in any position, its real torture.

[@Rca1969]

Hello! I write you from Spain. I am actually dealing with this “pillow fight”. I am using a CPAP for over a year now and after a DISE, I’m candidate for a MMA (jaw surgery). I just finished 20 nights sleeping without CPAP in order to have a realistic sleep study (PSG) prior to the surgery. Trying to sleep in the side during this period I found my own “system” with four pillows…. I will be very happy to describe to you what works for me if this is of any help. I’m also open to try to introduce your “invention” into the Spanish apneic community 😊 Best wishes

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

you should tell everyone your invention as it sounds cheaper than mine.

[@user-si3wz2nb4h]

Please share your 4 pillows system 🙏

[@Rca1969]

Of course! I sleep in my left side. Cervical pillow under my head. I embrace a normal pillow with my arms. Legs bent and with another pillow in between them so that the knees don’t touch each other. Finally, a fourth pillow on the bed touching my back that will remind me not to roll and finish face up. After a year of trial and error this happens to be the best option to me. The biggest inconvenient is, if you travel a lot….you will have to pay extra charges for the luggage 😂😜

[@jazzyp772]

Good video. Would be excited to try this Dr Veer. Also I’ve been on the NHS waiting list for a consultation with you for over a year, so if you can pull any strings to bump me up the list.. 😉😁 (Unfortunately I cannot afford to book privately with you currently) All the best 😊

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

don't bother with private. I can't bump you up the list as it is against the law but I hope to see you soon.

[@jazzyp772]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon Thanks for your reply and yes hope to see you soon 🙏🏻

[@Lexsoufz]

Hello sir! I've been binge watching many of your videos, very informative. Question: I have no issues falling asleep and staying asleep on my back, but as many people say, it ends up being very dangerous for my ribs as my wife throws elbows at them while we sleep LOL... Can sleeping with a very flat/no pillow help with snoring, or is side sleeping still the better option? I can sleep on my side as well many times, but the occasional shoulder pain does happen. I am open to using a body pillow that can stop me from rolling back onto my back if not.

[@stownsin]

Saw a video a while back about a group of indigenous people and how they lived. Th video showed how they slept - on the earth floor of their houses with no covers. What struck me was a woman sleeping on her side who lay with her top arm following the line of her body so her body was more stable. I always try to do this - it opens up my chest - but it’s too tempting to slump over….. Have you looked at this sort of reference? Signing up for your newsletter now.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I haven't seen this. but sounds interesting.

[@healthyteddy]

Do you have a video on Patulous eustachian tube disorder?

[@feled01]

Side sleeping certainly interferes with my CPAP - tends to cause big leaks when pillow pressed against the frame. Have tried all types of Resmed masks to solve this (incl. the new AirFit F40) , and either they suffer from leaks, or are uncomfortable/leave facial marks. And I've also spent a lot of money on different types of pillows. So looking forward to seeing how well your "sleep system" will work if its at an affordable price. One question I have is that I tend to turn from side to side when in light sleep to get comfortable again. So how will the system adapt to changing from one side to the other during the night?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I'm going to sell with a 10% profit to cover my expenses. I have no idea how expensive it will be, but I'm afraid it won't be cheap. I've put a lot into this design and the factory have already spent 30k.

[@gillianmalcolm5734]

Sounds great, how much will one cost please?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

No idea. waiting to see what the factory will charge me. then i need to know how much amazon and delivery charges are. then i will add 10% for myself so i can make preorders. i have no idea how much this will all cost. sorry.

[@funwithcars3154]

This is so incredibly exciting! If you would like a volunteer to help you with beta testing I would certainly love to help trialling samples and giving you usable constructive feedback. If not that’s ok too. Regardless I’ll be looking to purchase one of these once they’ve been released for sale.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I'll let you know as soon as the factory are ready.

[@Gazz_R]

Besides OSA, I have upper and lower spinal issues where side sleeping is a must. This sounds like a dream come true, I'm really looking forward to your "side sleeping system". Thanks for all you do and enjoy the rest of your week.

[@robertdaymouse3784]

I very much hope you are successful. But I doubt you will be. I have experimented with all kinds of side sleeping set ups over the past 5 years. Currently I use a modified version of the Medcline wedge, that I put on top of a 5% inclined bed, using my own pillows not their goofy body pillow, it is fairly effective as to my OSA but I have to turn a dozen times a night due to pain and numbness, and I find I slide off the foot of the bed some nights. It does not help that I have BPH that is exasperated by the pillows and I have to urinate 3x a night. I am currently working on an entirely different angle, pun intended.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

hopefully I will surprise you. I'm sorry if it doesn't work for you.

[@jayminc3442]

This won't help your project, but i think something id really like to try, is a mattress that lets me sleep on my stomach with no pillow. With a face hole or something. And possibly a divet for bellies 😂

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I tried that but sadly the hole in the mattress pushes your jaw back. sorry

[@skippyjo2468]

Hi. I'm naturally a side sleeper, but my snoring is still awful.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

probably this pillow isn't the best thing for you then. need to work out why you are like this and focus on that.

[@AbhiSharma-lg4pb]

After turbinate reduction I don’t sense air please help me , I want online consultation 😢

[@catallergiccat]

I try to sleep on my left side so that I don’t have to sleep on my uncomfortable wedge pillow, which hurts my lower back and maybe neck, while using the CPAP. However, I found myself even more prone to CPAP-gas, which hurts my stomach and wakes me up.

[@Faz54321]

Dear Vik Please make a pillow, I’ll be the first to buy it. 🙏🏾

[@Vasher121]

The product samples you get from the factory is not necessarily the end product that your customers will get

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

thank you. I'm trying to be through.

[@travv88]

Interesting. What type of materials are you thinking of using? Natural ones?

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

at the moment memory foam is the only thing that is working, is there a natural version I can consider? all the natural one change shape with time and don't give the support that i'm looking for. I doubt however that i've tried them all. let me know so i can trial it.

[@travv88]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon I'm not sure to be honest. Perhaps latex. Good luck with the product it sounds good.

[@paulabraden974]

​@VikVeerENTSurgeon maybe something with a gel inner (mainly for the head area) as being too warm with no way to absorb/disperse the heat may lead to some people trying to do the midnight pillow toss/flip to find a cool spot 🤔😁

[@BorderBo1]

This sounds very promising, Vik! I’m in Australia …. Will the pillow be available for overseas purchasers? It sounds like the pillow system will be quite large to accommodate all the areas requiring support so shipping o/s might be cost prohibitive?

[@roxyiconoclast]

@@VikVeerENTSurgeon Thanks for your interest in developing a pillow system! I’ve had sleep issues for decades, so I’ve tried many types of pillows. My impression is that we each have our own health issues and preferences, so it maybe you could offer several options or customization. For example, in my case I have mild sleep apnea, plus cervical spine issues, fibromyalgia and allodynia (a type of hypersensitivity to touch). So I end up using a selection of different pillow types. Another commenter mentioned latex, but for me latex pillows don’t conform to my body and end up worsening my pain issues. One I’m using currently for the main pillow is shredded memory foam, which allows people to customize the fill. It has compressed over time, but I can add the extra fill to my comfort level. I got it on US Amazon, but here’s the product description: “Sidney Sleep Pillow for Side and Back Sleepers - Comfort for Neck and Shoulder Pain - Adjustable and Customizable Shredded Memory Foam Filling - Queen Size - Additional Foam Fill Included.” Best wishes.

[@petekadenz9465]

I can sleep on my back but i get significantly more apneas than when I sleep on my side.

[@Errearrea14]

so where is it then? people with these type of problems will spend money on just about anything. There is, unfortunately, a huge business opportunity and money to be made from people's desperation for better sleep.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

It will take months apparently - they are making alterations to the the design from the last prototype.

[@altapia54]

My hip gets a bit numb after sleeping on my side.

[@VikVeerENTSurgeon]

I have a pillow that should help this. it should keep the pressure off the hip and avoid scissoring.