I avoid sleeping on my MM ear side. I don't like to risk any fluids running into my ear and making a stuffy situation worse. It really is a relic of when my symptoms first started, and I had some misunderstandings, but I still can't do it. I remember there was a thread a while back, and I learned that I was not alone as someone with MM who avoided sleeping on one side (I think I recall that it's not always the MM side people avoid). Fast forward to last summer when I went on a train trip. We had a Family Bedroom and I found that when I lay on my back I felt nauseous, so that restricted me to one side, and my ear on that side got sore. When I got home I researched pillows with a hole in the middle so that if I ever got in that situation again, I could relieve my ear. I learned that there are expensive orthopedic ones and also cheaper novelty throw pillows. I chose this one--a donut with a bite out of it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAYR68N/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. (Unfortunately, this particularly one isn't available now.) I thought the bite would be handy for comfort options, and it turns out it is. Fast forward again to last week when I had a cold that involved a lot of post nasal drip. Sleeping on my back was hard on my throat, so I tried to stay on the one side, but again my ear got sore. I was so happy when I realized I could use the donut pillow! Such a relief. It has been fabulous. I thought some of you other single-side-sleepers might like to know.
Interesting. I used to always sleep ON my MM side. Recently we rearranged the bedroom and switched sides of the bed and consequently I sleep on the opposite side. Didn't seem to make any difference. When I have flare ups I have to sleep sitting up which always ends up making my back hurt, I might try this idea. Thanks!
I was told by an ENT to never sleep on my MM side. I slept on the same side for years, never testing the theory to see if it made things worse. I stayed on that side during attacks and while sleeping/resting, etc. I honestly think I gave myself BPPV from being in one position for so many years. I say try it and change positions while sleeping if it’s possible.
Bythebay a doughnut pillow is a great “invention”. I used it when I hurt my ear ( long time ago) so that I was able to sleep on both sides. My mum made one for me as we could not get it anywhere. Enjoy your comfy sleeps now! Gardengal I always sleep a lot on my bad ear. It makes no difference to me on which side I sleep. I do believe that sleeping on one side only can have some bad effects. Glad you found your solution!