Well that is a problem isn't it!! Hmmmm... well as far as the reflux, do you take something for it? I know there are other steps you can take for it ( I have it too) such as avoiding eating for a few hrs before bed, avoiding alcohol, and so on. Just wondering if any of those things help so as to avoid sleeping like a pretzel!

I fall asleep on my side as well, only way I can, but somehow I always end up on my back. But it can be a very hard thing to change... how you fall asleep that is.

Honestly though, if anything at all other than sleep position helps the reflux, I would make the DVT the priority. At least for now.

@Jean,
You're right----- not many people die from mild gastric reflux. LOL

Gastric reflux-----How I handle it---- I eat dinner early (usually around 6 p.m.) I'm trying to eat less for dinner, although being from Midwestern farm stock.....! But I have shifted over to more Asian food by preference, not simply because of the gastric reflux.

I rarely drink----maybe a glass of special occasion or a sip of a friends Martini.

I will NOT give up my spicy foods. Sigh. (You can inscribe that on my tombstone!) But since the reflux occurs (when it occurs) is only occasionally related to spicy foods---------

Many of the meds for reflux that you used to need an Rx for are now over the counter. That is what I do. I should take one every day but I tend to forget. :o) However, at the first sign of it, or if I am going to be having something for dinner that has the potential to set it off, I pop a pill. It has helped enormously! Sometimes, the less I eat, the worse it is actually, so I will have a small snack and glass of milk in the evening, that also helps.

I wish you luck... it is not fun!

I laughed at your comment about the spicy food LOL, you go!

I would also never give up spicy food. Tabasco sauce is my life :)

@ To Kay

It's a toss-up (for my tombstone) between "I wished I'd eaten more Tabasco" and "I wish I'd eaten more chocolate"!

Are all your DVTs in one leg? Mine are all in my right leg, so if it is bothering me, I sleep on my left side and put a pillow in between my legs so the right one is elevated. This seems to work and it allows me to sleep on my side (which is really the only way I can fall asleep)!

Not sure if that could be combined with slightly elevating the head of your bed or not ... but maybe! Best wishes! It's annoying trying to sort out competing medical stuff, eh?

TNT----- I'd have to check if I had clots in both legs. "So little time, So many clots".

Here's another 'problem' I have. I sleep on both right side and left side.
So I've always wondered how people who put a pillow or foam wedge between their knees (which does sound like a great idea) manage to turn over without completely waking up, fighting with the blanket and the wedge to get situated again!

I'm pretty sure that pain from my sciatic nerve wakes me up to enough to make me switch sides.

****Best wishes! It's annoying trying to sort out competing medical stuff, eh?***

You bet!

My recommendations:

Yoga...twists and forward bends. I swear my digestion is always better after some twists. And forward bends are relaxing/good for sciatic.

The bottom of your feet (located at the tip of your heel) is an acupressure point for sciatic. Apply pressure and massage that, it is always worth a shot, no? If you notice tenderness, that is a good sign that you have found the point that needs to be worked a bit.

Thanks------ I'll try the acupressure point. Or maybe even acupuncture.

Here's a good site:
http://www.spine-health.com/