My bf and I both use body pillows and we love them!

Ah, the pillow for the lonely person. :P
Actually they look quite comfy.

I got one of these for my boyfriend from costco, it is so comfy! It's handy for when you're up in bed watching tv too.

I can't sleep without mine!

I cannot sleep without mine. I find it super hard to get pillow cases for it though. Putting two on (one from each end) doesn't work, and king size pillowcases are not quite the right size either. Does anyone have any recommendations?

I sleep best with a normal pillow where it ought to be, and a king-size pillow to hug. It's the same principle, but I find the king-sized pillow to be much more wieldy than those monster bags of fluff. Nothing against sleeping partners, but it's nice to hug something that won't squish my arm.

to those who have one? where have you found a cover for it?

I've seen some cute/graphic cases for body pillows at Target.

These might very well be as expensive as the pillow itself, but there are some covers for these pillows over at The Company Store's website, if the measurements fit yours.

Questions:
Have you washed these? How--at a super-giant laundromat machine? Or in the tub?

Explain why you think these are better than regular pillows? Does it just feel cushier, or does it help your back or neck? I have seen these in the stores and thought about them, but they are so large I don't want to schlep it home and then back if it's just so-so!

i make my own pillow cases for mine, but mine is mostly decorative or comes to the living room when i've hurt my back and want to watch tv.

My rheumatologist suggested using one, and since then, I use it every night. without it, when you sleep on your side your knees and arms are not in healthy, natural position, but they fall too much to the front, and that is a pain for back. the long pillow gives just the right support for knee and arm, so they don't pull on the muscles and joints. I right away started to have much less back pain! I can't even believe how dramatic the change was... Now body pillow anatomically shaped regular pillow are a MUST for me.

I grew in Malaysia and it's common for people to have a "bolster" (as we call it). It's very comfy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolster

A couple of soft, luxe ones stacked on top of one another make a fabulous headboard....
(Costco sold some gorgeous textured ones in deep brown and ivory -- lovely!)

have to have it! esp. now that i'm preggers. i got a cheap one from target and it's great :)

I've used one for many years and now I can't sleep well without it!

For cases, I just buy an extra flat sheet (twin) and make it into a pillowcase. Two easy seams and voila!: a case that matches your sheets perfectly.

When I broke up with the man who I thought was the love of my life, one of my dearest friends and his boyfriend showed up with a "Single Woman Kit," which included a body pillow - I haven't slept without one since, even when I haven't been single!

These aren't for "lonely people" as littleinkpot indicates. I'm married and I use one. A lot of people just feel more comfortable holding something and a lot of partners can't sleep if someone is hanging on them. My husband would like to allow me to hold him, but it disturbs his sleep.

I have a very bad back, and this helps.

I sleep on my stomach so this won't work. :-(

I had one of these in college. It was useful for converting the bed to a couch (a necessity in a very small dorm room).

It also doubled as a mattress for my very petite friend when she stayed with us!

I use one to sit up in bed and read. While I sleep, it ends up on one side of the bed out of convenience - it's darn cozy too.
I also have two on my backless couch.