Reflux: what’s best.. pillows, wedges or blocks for overnight?

[Inominate]

Which of these does the community think is best to help overnight reflux? Extra pillows, wedge pillow, wedge mattress or blocks lifting the head of the bed up? Which worked or didn’t work for you? Thanks

[TishH]

I use a wedge with extra pillows, and have Gaviscon Double Action Oral Suspension. I have undisturbed sleep for 4 to 8 hours, and if I do wake in the night I take a couple of Gaviscon Double Action Chewable Tablets.

[Inominate in reply to TishH]

Thank you . I'm new to this and am only using pillows at the moment. still taking gaviscon before bed and like you, take some in the middle of the night if I get up.

[Crafty99]

Hi a Dr on YT said that lifting the head of the bed by 4-6 inches works better than extra pillows or wedges. They said extra pillows and wedges can scrunch up your stomach and your body needs to be flat and lifting the actual head of the bed allows you to lie flat. I used extra pillows and found they did not help my night time acid reflux so now I have lifted the bed. It has also helped my husband who has silent reflux at night. We are both a lot better. I was taking gaviscon every night but for the last few days since i lifted the bed I haven't taken any at night.

[Inominate in reply to Crafty99]

Thank you. I am sliding off my pillows by morning. There are mixed reports on the internet about pillow wedges, working for some and not for others. What did you use lift the bed? My bed is a double divan, so no bed legs to speak of and is jointed half way down the bed.

[westcountry in reply to Inominate]

My bed is also a divan so what did you do to lift yours? Extra pillows hurt my neck and back and wondering if a wedge pillow will do the same as you're not flat? Help needed as I'm really feeling upset with all this!

[Inominate in reply to westcountry]

Since posting my question to the community, I decided to buy a wedge pillow to start with. I bought from Putnam putnams.co.uk/ but used a discount code I got from opa.org.uk/bed-wedge-specia... which brought the price down significantly. I went for a Putnams wedge pillow as it is long and it lifts the whole of the upper body rather than others which only lift the head.And it got good reviews. I was getting neck ache using pillows. I have only just started using the pillow and so a bit early to say it works, but the results so far are good. Much less reflux overnight. My next step, if this is not enough lift, would be some bits of wood under the head of the bed and again (but not so many) under the middle of the divan where it divides to support it. Anyway fingers crossed this will work ( along with medication, chewing gum and not eating late in the evening ). I am sorry you have been upset and hope you get some relief soon. It’s no fun!

[westcountry in reply to Inominate]

Thank you so much for your informative reply. I have contacted OPA for a discount code then will order a bed wedge. Did you order the 24 inch one and is it wide enough I'm wondering ? Also there are 3 materials to choose from: foam, memory foam and latex...which would you recommend?

[Inominate in reply to westcountry]

I ordered the 24 inch which is about half the width of a double bed and has been fine to sleep on. I ordered the standard foam as I find memory foam too warm. Don’t know what the benefit of latex would be, so did not go for that one. I ordered an extra pillow case for convenience rather than make my own. It’s a poly cotton, quite a close weave, so reasonable quality , but if you want a natural fabric such as pure cotton, you would need to make it yourself. Haven’t washed the case yet, so don’t know how it does after being laundered. Hope it helps.

[Crafty99]

Hi at this moment we are using some books to lift the bed but you can use pieces of wood. I used to slide off the pillows too and I ended up with a crick in the neck but now we have lifted the bed I just use 2 pillows instead of 3 which is more comfortable. Not sure about a jointed bed but its worth a try.

[Inominate in reply to Crafty99]

Thank you. We’ve got some wood in the shed. I have been looking for some solutions on-line but this may be just as good and cheaper. Thanks again.

[ADIE29]

Good question. After 13 weeks post ivor lewis op, I have finally ( I think) have hit the jack box of what works for me. First tried 2 pillows but always managed to slide down the bed, then up would come Reflux. Horrible.

Next a bought a wedge pillow and I have to say that worked a treat. I also used a soft pillow that leant against the wedge, and no problems falling off to the side.

After quite a bit of debate and searching on the internet, we decided to go for a bed that can be adjusted up, down, legs up, legs down. We went for this "permanent" bedding because I am obviously stuck with this condition for the rest of my life. Best is we have king single beds which are on the same base, but i don't disturb the other half if I am adjusting the bed at night. Rarely happens!

Also I have had only 4 major Reflux episodes since my operation! I do keep Gavascon by the bed just in case! I also have found that having my last small meal no later than 4 30 to 5pm seems to help as well.

The cost of the bed was eye watering and I do think the wedge worked as good. Anyway if we ever travel again trusty wedge will coming along as well . Good luck xxxx

[ADIE29 in reply to ADIE29]

Oh and o forgot to mention gave decided to stop taking anti Reflux medication (PPI), just to see if I can handle it. From what I have read of the PPI'sThey are not good for you long term. Jury is still out if I have done the right thing or not xx

[Inominate in reply to ADIE29]

Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom. We are soon going away for a few days and you make a good point about having a pillow to travel with; I hadn’t thought about that. Like you I would like to cut down on the meds but am only a few weeks into this journey. I shall be investing in a pillow. Wishing you well on your recovery from your operation.

[Jumpey in reply to ADIE29]

Hi I'm interested to know what operation helped your reflux.I'm delighted for you that it has helped.x

[ADIE29 in reply to Jumpey]

Hi Jumpey!I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in October and after 23 radiation treatments and 5 chemo rounds, had an "Ivor Lewis

Oesophageal" operation to remove the the tumour. Back on another round of chemo for 12 cycles. It's interesting in that nobody really mentioned the side effects of this type of op. The internal plumbing has all been rearranged and I've learnt that acid Reflux is part of the new norm. Eat small meals etc and I have found this community really helpful. They gave me a bag full of meds when I left hospital and had to find out why I was on certain stuff myself. Maybe I should have asked more questions!

So in answer to your question, prior to the operation I never ever had Reflux!!!

Bah humbug😉 . This is a new way of living and eventually I will get used to it as many people have told me xxx

[Jumpey in reply to ADIE29]

Oh I'm so sorry for your suffering. I dearly hope you now go from strength to strength. Good luck with the forthcoming treatment. Xxx

[Ladywestcountry]

I tried extra pillows but just slid off .We have now lifted the end of the bed with blocks of wood (as much as you can manage)…Definitely helps !Good Luck !

[Inominate in reply to Ladywestcountry]

Yes, there seems to be a consensus, that lifting the end of the bed definitely helps. I think I will try a combination of blocks of wood and a wedge pillow. Many thanks.

[Bimse]

Recently a wedge pillow underneath my usual pillow and sleeping on my left side only seems to be doing the trick for me. I too have started to reduce the medication for now.

[Inominate in reply to Bimse]

Thank you. Only had this a couple of weeks. Medication made a significant improvement in the first few days, but progress seems to have levelled off. So will be investing in a pillow. Glad to hear it’s helping you.

[Bimse in reply to Inominate]

Definitely try sleeping on your left side too! Multiple research studies seem to support this. I’m sure this is helping me. All the best 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Bimse]

I found this too. It’s not always 100% effective, but it does seem to help.

[Bimse in reply to Hidden]

You do have to make a conscious effort to stay on your left..not always possible when you’re unconscious I know 😴

[Zorrosox-1 in reply to Bimse]

I find it difficult to stay on my left side too- I naturally want to sleep on my right . What a pain!

[Inominate in reply to Bimse]

Yes, I’ve read that but naturally I sleep on my right. I’ll try to adjust or think about rearranging the bed. X