Wedge Pillow

[Duttie]

Hello, does anyone use a wedge pillow to help with acid reflux, if yes, what make? Or do you think would be better to raise the top of the bed?

[Hidden]

I make a wedge out of a thick memory foam pillow and then, below that, two soft pillows so my shoulders are raised. I don't think it's as effective as raising the bed head but my husband can't bear the slope as he says it causes him other problems. I was going to ask this myself so I do hope other reply as the jury is still out for me - I'm awake now with reflux.

[Duttie in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply, I think I shall go ahead and order a wedge, and just hope it works

[Inamoment]

I have a V shaped maternity pillow. This works very well, my shoulders are not pushed forward and I found it easy to sleep using it. My PPI medication controls it well so long as I don't sleep on my left side.

[Steph]

Hi,

I find raising the bed head on a few bricks works best. I have a wedge it was quite expensive I can't remember the make I got it online afyer reading reviews etc. I find it quite hard and in the morning I have slipped down off it. I find it works best underneath a single mattress so I always take it on holiday with me. I am on max dose Pantoprazole (ppi) but I find a swig of gaviscons keeps the acid down at night as it forms a raft on top of the stomach contents.

[Duttie in reply to Steph]

Thanks for your answer, I have raised our old bed by one brick many years ago,but I think 2 bricks may be too much for my husband. I feel that I am also likely to slip down off it, but will probably just order one and give it a try. Our mattress is too thick for it to go underneath.

[GGhere]

Hi Duttie. I use a wedge pillow. I bought it online and it was quite expensive - around £60 I think - it's made of firm memory foam stuff like the posh mattresses. Couldn't manage without it. I also put my ordinary pillow on top of it for my head. The wedge is quite long and goes halfway down the bed so that you don't get a crick in your back. It took a bit of getting used to. I call it my Mount Neverest. Sometimes I slide down and then have to scramble back up again - I'm up in the air on my mountain and hubby is somewhere below in the foothills but it distances my ear from his snoring (an added bonus) It comes on holiday with me hidden in a suit carrier bag thing because I don't have the nerve to swan into a hotel with that thing under my arm.

[Duttie in reply to GGhere]

Thanks for your reply, I am glad you still have a sense of humour, life is tough with Scleroderma. I think I will order one and hope it is OK, but I have a feeling I will slide down. I will choose one that is quite long and not too high. I could always use it to elevate the legs, may help with night cramps!

[pallinurse]

Hi! Raising the top end of the bed instead of using pillows or wedges is recommended for best results. The difference is, the pillows or wedge put a bend in your body that can increase the esophageal pressure or worsen hiatal hernias that may accompany GERD conditions. That said, pillows or a wedge are better than nothing! There are cup things in different heights you can order that you put the legs of the bed in. I can't remember where I found mine but they are in one of those "household junk" kind of catalogues. Good luck!

[Thelma]

My doctor Pulmonologist recommended one back in 2009 and I just got one in 2015 from my friend who is a retired nurse and it works well. It's more of the propped up book reading type pillow with arms and pockets on the side. I think it was about $40 here in VA, in the states. I have come off of 2 acid reflux meds and doing quite well. I fall asleep quite easy sitting up on the pillow, it's velour and very comfortable with a high back. I wish you the best, and my doctor said those last 4 hrs. before bedtime of what we eat can affect us. Blessings to you.

[Lupiknits]

I tried a wedge but slid down the bed. A maternity pillow bulked with two other pillows helps, as does omeprazole. In fact, two omeprazole twice a day makes a huge difference. I've learned that stress kicks the reflux up very quickly, ditched the morning coffees and anything acidic ( not teetotal by choise, but one sip of anything alchoholic is like battery acid to my oesophagus.). My stomach empties very very slowly. Even avoiding eating late in the evening means much of it is still there in the morning. All else fails, I sleep on the sofa with a nest to prop up my top half.

[Duttie in reply to Lupiknits]

Thanks for your reply, I also take Omprazole and drink very little alcohol. Avoiding eating late at night also helps although not always possible if invited out. I am still undecided about the pillow, at £60 it could be an expensive mistake.