Hi everyone my husband is nearly 9 months post oesophagectomy with 2/3 of his stomach removed. He was diagnosed T4aN1M0 in September last year, had the op in March and is overall recovering really well. We’re so grateful that generally he’s sleeping well but currently using an OPA wedge but slipping down in the night. We’re just wondering if anyone is able to just have the bed raised up a bit at the head end so there’s a slight incline? He hardly ever gets acid reflux now (like once every few weeks). We’ve read that you shouldn’t sleep flat ever because of the risk of aspiration but just wanted to check in with others in this lovely community.
Thanks
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Tighan
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hi Tiguan I tried the wedges but also kept slipping down. The best thing I did was to buy an adjustable bed that way you can raise it as much or as little as you need to . You can also get the VAT taken off as they are for a medical condition. Hope this helps.
I found myself slipping down in a sleep number adjustable bed. I was getting the occasional aspiration at night which multiple times turned into aspirational pneumonia.
About 2 years ago a purchased a recliner that had separate motors for head/ back and a motor to control angle height of the legs. It was the best thing I ever did since the surgery. I have really done away with cases of aspirational pneumonia. I even now can eat a couple of hours before bedtime vs the 5 -6 pm last meal that I used to live by. Without reflux
If you go the route of the recliner , don’t look for a recliner that offers a zero gravity position. That is not the position that we need to sleep in. I sleep semi reclined with my feet slightly up, but my legs are slightly lower than my chest. That’s why a very adjustable recliner made life post surgery so so much better.
BTW. I have this recliner in my master bedroom. My wife still using the adjustable bed in the same room.
Like others I eventually invested in an adjustable bed and they’re great. However if I’m away from home I use a three or four pillow combo and that works well too. One pillow either side to raise my back slightly then one or two to rest my head on. It’s great as a can lean to left and right supported by the side pillows as well as stay on my back.
Hello Tighan,Agree with Molly6460, after unsuccessful tries with a wedge pillow and various other forms of pillow concoctions, decided to bite the bullet and purchase an adjustable bed. BEST THING EVER!!
Husband and I have our own mattresses and I look like a sleep in a hammock! but rarely move much at night and hardly ever get Reflux. I also shove a pillow under my knees and that seems to be perfect for me as well. Hope this helps.
you can get what’s called “elephant feet” there inexpensive, you pop them under the feet of the bed at the head end so the bed is raised off the floor by a few inches, won’t work on a divan bed though
I'm 14 years post op and have tried various sleeping arrangements including an adjustable bed which didn't work for me. I have found the best solution for me is to put a very firm pillow -( the sort used to support necks) under my mattress. We have 2 separate mattresses which make a king size bed. When we are away I put a couple of pillows/ cushions under the mattress. Might be worth trying before purchasing an electronic bed. Good luck!
An adjustable bed was the answer for me. One that allows you to adjust head and foot end independently. Raised feet stop you slipping down. When we go away I request extra pillows and use these on top of an inflatable wedge.
The wedge pillow didn’t work for me it made me slip down. I sleep upright really well with a pillow under a v shaped pillow and another pillow in the small of my back, a pillow for my head and a fourth under my thighs. No reflux. Also I have elephants feet under the head of the bed as suggested. Don’t know what I’ll do if I go abroad. Any ideas anyone?
It sounds as though I'm lucky but I get away with a very heavy and firm pillow on top of a more regular pillow. Never sleep lying on my right side, but on my back or my left seems to be ok. I can adjust the pillows to make myself a little more upright if I feel I need it.
I bought an adjustable bed, which worked fine as long as I was willing to sleep the night on my back... challenging. Now I can sleep in my preferred position (left side, medically preferable) with a couple of Gaviscon Advance tablets in my mouth. I'm eight years out from Ivor-Lewis.
I am 3.5 years since the operation. I have been able to use a pillow wedge with pretty good success and rarely have aspirations. As long as my upper shoulders and head are raised, I am fine. At hotels, I just get extra pillows (4) which works ok for a temporary solution. If you can adapt to this, it is a lot cheaper and easier than getting a new bed.
For the first couple of years after my oesophagectomy , I couldn't sleep on my left side without getting acid reflux and had to sleep propped up on a couple of extra pillows. I'm now 16 years post-surgery and can sleep in any position, though I still have extra pillows. If your husband is not suffering from reflux during the night, he should try sleeping normally. The risks and dangers of aspiration are very small, unless you suffer very badly from bile reflux.
Five years on from surgery I have a wedge matress that works for me, but initially used blocks of wood under the head end of the bed that also worked. However, I've also found I can get away with a good pillow when away or in our campervan. Wouldn't ignore the potential effects of inhaling reflux whilst sleeping, particulalry if prone to respiratory infections; & because of the surgery repiratory function can be compromised.
7 years post op here, luckily already had an adjustable bed because of back injury so position was not a problem, have found being strict on the two hours before bed no eating is key and an reclining chair perfect for naps during the day. When we go away we take 2 bamboo pillows one for under back to bolster up and one under my knees to stop me slipping down( they have a firm but cushioned structure that is perfect )hope this helps 😊
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