Anybody know a good GERD pillow/wedge?

[CA_POPPY]

We both have the problem and cannot raise the head of our bed as is often suggested for reflux problems. The bed is custom made and we can't get a different one as it just fits in our bedroom. It's the pier wall kind with built in drawers, etc and no adjustments are possible.

So we've tried a variety of sleeping arrangements and special pillows without luck. Bud is sleeping on a wedge from Amazon that is (to me) like styrofoam. He doesn't like it but will use it. I haven't found anything as I sleep on my side. The Perfect answer seems like it would be medium firm with a soft covering and long enough to hit your waist or at least somewhere near it. If there is such a thing, I WANT one! We follow all the rules of not eating near bedtime, no spicy food, etc. Ir must be that somebody makes a good pillow/wedge for this common problem.

[CA_POPPY]

This is what we've ended up with. They met our criteria of long enough to hit the small of our back for support and soft enough to sleep on. We do use a small pillow along with them. We bought the 10" height. You don't really need the fleece cover as it comes with a nice velour cover. Anyway, check them out all you reflux people. I'm excited to not wake up with a reflux problem every morning. Having less backache, too.

Folding Wedge

[mimi55]

Home trends magazine sells a wedge pillow. My husband has one. When it starts getting a little flat, I put it in the rear window of RV. The sun helps fluff it back.

[Retired_andLove]

Lansoprazole is my answer for GERD. Nothing worked for relief. Watched diet. Ate nothing after 6pm. Slept with head elevated. Tried many meds with no relief. Was afraid to go to sleep because I would wake up choking. Many times knowing that would be the way I would die. Dr. finally tried Precacid. Expensive but it worked. I now buy it in Mexico for about 16 cents a day. I've only had GERD a couple of times in the last two or three years and that was because of stupidity on my part.

[wny_pat1]

CA POPPY wrote:

wny_pat wrote:
For GERD?? Mine is called OMEPRAZOLE 20MG. No problems unless I quit using it.

Oh, yes, we have both taken Protonix for 12 years and every other variety of proton pump inhibitor before that, not to mention Tums, Rolaids and the Alka Seltzer my dad took all his adult life. They do not change the fact if you have a hiatal hernia, though. That's a weak valve at the top of the stomach. If that valve happens to let go while you're asleep, big problem. Drs discourage long-term use of this class of drug, but I don't know how we avoid it. Sleeping on a slant is easier said than done. Also,the surgery to repair this type of hernia is a tough one and few patients actually have it.

Hiatal hernia?? I don't have the upper esophageal sphincter muscle at all. Straight drop into the stomach. Went nuts for years trying to figure out what was wrong. Way to many trips to emergency rooms and way to many Barium swallow X-rays trying to figure it out. They said that they could not find anything. Finally found a doc who sent a scope down my throat and the sphincter muscle was completely missing and had severe GERD. They said that they could open me up and tie it, but I opted for the proton pump inhibitor. Took Zantac in the beginning, but it quit working. But the omeprazole has been working very well for years now.

[Gary_]

I have a prescription for PANTOPRAZOLE, the generic equivalent of PROTONIX. I have taken 1 pill a day every morning for about 5 years. Before this I always had a round plastic container in my pocket with some sort of anti-acid. Haven't had a bout with GERD in years now. Good Luck.

[Rolin]

Omeprazole is good stuff, but when you do some damage and can't get it under control, 1 spoon full of Aloe Vera gel from health food store 1 hr before eating (along with Omeprazole taken 1/2 hr before eating) has helped a number of people get their Gerd under control again. No longer have to elevate the bed.

[CA_POPPY]

wny_pat wrote:
For GERD?? Mine is called OMEPRAZOLE 20MG. No problems unless I quit using it.

Oh, yes, we have both taken Protonix for 12 years and every other variety of proton pump inhibitor before that, not to mention Tums, Rolaids and the Alka Seltzer my dad took all his adult life. They do not change the fact if you have a hiatal hernia, though. That's a weak valve at the top of the stomach. If that valve happens to let go while you're asleep, big problem. Drs discourage long-term use of this class of drug, but I don't know how we avoid it. Sleeping on a slant is easier said than done. Also,the surgery to repair this type of hernia is a tough one and few patients actually have it.

[emzee]

wow lots of Omeprazole users in here. I am also on Omeprazole 20 mg. works for me!!

[mdamerell]

The bed in the camper is a pedestal/storage box. I removed the decking/platform. Cut a 2x4 from corner to corner to make two wedges. Mounted them on top of the factory frame with some additional cross supports and reattached the decking/platform. Still have access to storage underneath.

Custom made my bed at home for the 4" tilt. That and 20mg of Omeprazole and I'm good to go. Tilting my bed works the best for me. Sometime you have to think on top of the box 😉

[trb46]

I, too, take Omeprazole every day. My doctor gave me a prescription. It's generic, so I think I pay $5 for a 30-day supply. It's twice the strength of the over-the-counter version. Cured me!

[wny_pat1]

For GERD?? Mine is called OMEPRAZOLE 20MG. No problems unless I quit using it.

[RoadXYZ]

charlysmom&dad wrote:
I use a wedge, but not for GERD. I bought it at Bed Bath and Beyond. It does not go down to my waist, so I'm not sure it's what your looking for. I've been using it for years. It's made of foam. Good luck in your search.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=101538

we have 12" tall ones, thinking of reducing the height quotient to either 7" or 10" replacements (?)

Was wondering if anyone else has gone this route?

[CA_POPPY]

Puttin wrote:
CA POPPY,

The name is DURO-WEDGE. Here's their site:

Link

Thank you. 🙂

[Puttin]

CA POPPY,

The name is DURO-WEDGE. Here's their site:

Link