Putting it here for those interested.
It’s only got a slight latex smell too, so it’s not overpowering. At least mine was faint.
MALOUF Z 100% Natural Talalay Latex Zoned Pillow - Queen - High Loft, Plush, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00382XCL6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_B6ZtFbNAKZTA1
Help for sleep apnea: 1) loose weight 2) exercise you throat muscles with exercise that makes you breath hard I.e sprinting, HITT, exercise that makes you have bursts of really working hard and then a rest. 3) oddly enough singing helps to exercise the throat muscles. 4) get a latex pillow.
https://www.amazon.com/MALOUF-Natural-Talalay-Latex-Pillow/dp/B00382XCL6
Good luck!
Sorry that I can't give you a brand, but I bought mine from a local mattress manufacturer. It's made from the same talalay latex that my mattress is made of. Comes in soft, medium, firm. Firm is probably best for side sleepers like us. Very comfy. Look up talalay latex pillow. Expect to spend about $80.
Stay away from memory foam. It's a closed-cell foam and gets really hot because it can't breathe.
Edit: This looks close to what I have: https://www.amazon.com/Malouf-Talalay-Latex-Zoned-Pillow/dp/B00382XCL6
If you sleep on your stomach then you probably wouldn't like the pillow like I have. It doesn't squish down like a feather pillow does. You could try one of these pillows and maybe get the low loft one.
Latex pillows last forever compared to the standard fiber-filled ones I kept having to replace every six months. I have this one. The only thing with latex is it's very bouncy and some people don't like that. (Especially when cats walk on your pillow, they bounce you around more than with a normal pillow.)
I somehow managed to luck myself into finding a chiropractor who doesn't crack my back, he stretches my muscles and works out some of the looser knots. His mother-in-law was diagnosed with fibro a few years ago and he made it his job to learn more about it, so he understands all about the tight muscles and the knots and pain. He's helped me more than any other doctor of any kind. I don't know if other chiropractors do that sort of thing or not, though, you may have to ask around. A good massage therapist is can help, too, your mom may have to try out more than one to find one that "fits". Some are too rough or too clinical. They should also know enough to know when not to work on you; sometimes the knots are so bad you shouldn't be worked on for fear of injury.
Meds, of course, are an option, but they're so highly individualized it's hard to give an opinion on them. I'm a small girl, but I have a drug tolerance that's through the roof, so a lot that doesn't work for me may work fine for most others. I take Lyrica and Opana ER, but I'm on a low (for me) dose because they fogged my head up so bad I couldn't think and my job was in jeopardy. I pretty much take just enough that I can get out of bed to go to work and that's it.
Oh! And weirdly enough.. I highly recommend a high-quality pillow if she can afford it. This thing helped my neck and shoulders a lot, where no other pillow has.
I'm a side sleeper I use this Malouf latex pillow and I love it. Some off gassing but once you've had it for a while you'll be fine.
https://www.amazon.com/Malouf-Talalay-Latex-Zoned-Pillow/dp/B00382XCL6
Yo! Currently seeing it for $68 on Amazon!
Malouf Talalay Latex Zoned Pillow, Queen https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00382XCL6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_G7duxbRPHWYXA
I found the pure LatexBliss line in a local Becker's furniture (iirc). Got a 10" thick model King with a 3" topper. I was going to order something online but I was able to get the store's floor model at an $800 discount. It was also helpful to try the models in person - without any reference it's hard to know what sort of firmness you'll like. That said, I thought each of the various firmness latex models I tried were vastly more comfortable than any other type of mattress hands down.
I also use the Malouf Talalay Latex Zoned Pillow, high loft plush queen and they are as amazing as the mattress. I sleep wonderfully every night. Every other bed everywhere is just awful in comparison.
Any specific brand? I'm looking at the 30 dollar ones discounted from 120 to 100 LinenSpa