Thoughts on What Happened?

kteague wrote:I don't know what means you used to raise the head of your bed, but since you said you were on your back I'm thinking maybe a wedge? I am most comfortable side sleeping, but can't do that comfortably on a wedge. What worked for me was folding a comforter to lay across the head of the bed between the mattress and box springs. This way I was inclined but my sleep position felt comfortably natural. You don't want the elevation to be high enough for you to slide down, just a few inches is all. Some say sleeping on the left side is preferable with reflux or GERD. Everyone's reflux is different so comparisons can leave one perplexed. Makes a differences whether the gastric juices irritate the esophagus or vocal cords or even aspirate. When I first started here I remember reading how someone's reflux caused vocal cord spasms. I had a couple incidences of that and it was anxiety producing. Is your anxiety primarily at night or in the daytime too? Hope you sort through things and get to feeling better.

I used blocks to prop up the bed before. I tend to try and sleep on my left side, but when I get these issues it makes it difficult.

My symptoms are mostly burping, bloating, and pain in the upper left abdomen. I rarily have the more traditional reflux symptoms until this comes on and the anxiety ramps up. The issue could be gastritis, irritable bowel, soft tissue injury, hiatal hernia, or atypical reflux. I lean towards gastritis as it's the only thing that has been diagnosed, and the symptoms seem to match how some others react to it. It would also explain how I was fine for the first half of the year. I always thought the hernia, but nothing was found on endoscope or upper GI. It could be an early slider that just wasn't in the right spot though.

The anxiety is the big problem, which I'm sure came on from the OSA. It is day and night since this started, but I had no hint of it a few weeks ago. Of course, at night it makes it really difficult to sleep when combined with the abdomen sensations. It's just the classic loop of anxiety-lack of sleep. Its' a hard spot to get around, but pretty common for many suffering from SDB. Many face much more serious issues.

I was here last year. So hopefully I can take care of it quicker this time. At least, I can now keep the OSA away. Thanks for the good wishes.

Best,

Mike

Julie wrote:PPI's have got a bad rap lately (and I stopped them 20 yrs ago, but restricted diet by a lot) and now I take 1/2 a small Tums right before bed and it makes quite a difference. I'm also careful with my diet, but have re-intro'd a lot of things I was afraid of for so long. Personal stress of 20-30 yrs ago also made a big difference as might untreated apnea of back then.

I tend to agree that they are overused, but I have no problem with them when there is a real need. I think all would be well for a lot of us if we could just get the sleep. I've had many postives with treatment just can't get enough to get over the hump. Thus, I'll do whatever to keep from sliding back. In this case, the ambien has been a big help. I wish the acid medicine helped as much. It really only covers the effects of the anxiety. I'm not sure it does much for the underlying issue. Last time, I really didn't feel better until the xPap came home with me.

I'm gald you were able to face these issues years ago. You are certainly right about the stress and apnea. Hopefully, I can deal with it successfully as many of you have.

Best,

Mike

PPI's were recently shown to have cardiac consequences - that's what I was saying, and... why not just try the Tums as I have for 1-2 nights and see if it works?

Julie wrote:PPI's were recently shown to have cardiac consequences - that's what I was saying, and... why not just try the Tums as I have for 1-2 nights and see if it works?

I have but, when the anxiety/lack of sleep kicks up, nothing really seems to do too much good. I'll keep working at it.

Best,

Mike