GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.

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vickicrouch2 10/19/2013

Shouldn't 4 pillows be sufficient enough or work just as well as a wedge pillow. My pillows don't seem to be working. I still wake up with a pain under sternum diaphragm area i think from the acid reflux?

Thanks for any suggestions!

sptrout 10/19/2013

Probably, but not necessarily. I used to use a wedge pillow with great success, but when I traveled it was different story. It was difficult, and usually uncomfortable, to duplicate the wedge pillow by building a mountain of pillows. Sometimes it worked, other nights not so go. However, my GERD symptoms were much different than what you describe. I would wakeup in the middle of the night breathing in stomach contents and acid, never really had any pain.

Lesleygm 10/19/2013

Hi you all!

I find the wedge works well. My gastro said 30 degrees but I couldn't find that height. I have had the same weird pain in the morning. It has to be acid. It goes away as soon as I get moving.

Apparently pillows don't work so well according to the research. It has something to do with the stomach and the esophageal sphincter being at same angles and the acid can more easily move into the area. Apparently the stomach drops down more on a wedge. I have used pillows for mild reflux and have had no problems but I prop them up.

Interesting the different symptoms with this issue.. That why doctors don't recognize them when you tell them about weird symptoms.. it isn't in the text books! It is all about the acid impacting the esophagus and the inflammation and we all react differently.

vickicrouch2 10/20/2013

Thanks sptrout and Lesleyqm I think my mountain of pillows is not working for me, thinking maybe the pillows aren't the right angle for me. I now have some tools to work with due to all the information I've received here on this site. Wow! just grateful for all the great advice.

Thanks again, Lesleyqm and sptrout.

deleted_user 10/24/2013

My doctor told me that pillows are not enough. He said that you need to actually elevate your bed, and to put 6 inch blocks under the head portion. He said between movement etc...and the angle needed for it to help, that pillows don't cut it. I am buying some tomorrow. I will let you know how it works. I have used both pillows and the wedge in the past, and thought my mound of pillows was working...but I guess not:(

vickicrouch2 10/26/2013

Bfarina, yes I thought my mound of pillows should be good too but someone said that you might not be as stationary through the night. I need to buy one but I'm waiting until I can afford to buy one, which may be weeks out.

Lesleygm 10/26/2013

Buckley..

How many degrees high is your wedge?

They usually work well but they have to be 14- 16 inches high at the top. My gastro said 30 degrees.

I am wondering if yours is too small. I have heard when people raise their bed they end up sliding down and it doesnt work so well.

Let me know how it goes.

How are you today?

Lesley

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