GERD/raising head of bed/rednecks

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:49 am

Seems like you guys can answer anything.

Thursday I will have an upper endoscopy and most likely will be diagnosed with GERD. I would like to try elevating the head of my bed six inches as recommended. They do not recommend elevating the patient's head with pillows but actually elevating the head of the bed.

What is an easy way to do this? Everything I have thought of so far is making me think I may be a redneck.

jjposey · Post by **jjposey** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:53 am

My MIL put bricks under the frame of the bed at the head of the bed.
My Dad and Stepmom put some large pillows between the box frame and mattress. They take the pillows with them when they "travel" and do the same at hotels.

Daffney_Gillfin · Post by **Daffney_Gillfin** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:58 am

I did this pre-CPAP for the time between when I figured out I had OSA and the time I actually did something about it. I just used concrete pavers. Yes, I suppose that could be considered redneck, but they were out of site, and I don't know that I've ever had anyone come in my house and look under the bed.

I didn't elevate 6 inches though. That seems like a pretty steep elevation. I only elevated the thickness of one paver -- two inches maybe. It did seem to help.

Anyway, the do make platforms for elevating one's bed. They're available at Bed, Bath and Beyond, and probably many other stores like Target, and WallyWorld. I just googled for "elevate bed" (w/out quotes) and got many hits. The ones pictured at http://www.alltvstuff.com/rise1.html are what I see most often.

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:00 am

I found that a wedge pillow works just fine. It is not a pile of pillows, but one that raises your head and shoulders. Most medical supply places have them and they have a variety of angles to select. It takes a while to get used to it if you sleep on your stomach!
I tried the bricks under the bed frame, but I kept sliding to the foot of the bed.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:09 am

Go to Amazon.com. They have an inflatable device that goes up and down both. They are around $100 for a single control one and $200 for a dual control unit. We bought one a couple of months ago and really like it.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:34 am

Here's a link to it, Rooster.

http://www.amazon.com/Mattress-Genie-Li ... 007&sr=1-2

Alisha · Post by **Alisha** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:43 am

Rooster, I bought some 6" risers, but they were too high and caused me to slide down toward the end of bed. Then I stacked some large hardback books to nearly 5", made sure the stacks were even, and this works fine for me.

It is important that the entire bed be tilted to support the spine. Using extra pillows under head or under mattress can throw the spine out of line.

Regards,

Alisha

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:52 am

Thanks all. Looks like the 69 Camaro in the front yard can stay on the cinder blocks for now. I will stop at Bed, Bath and Beyond this afternoon.

Has anyone seen actual reduction of GERD symptoms from elevating the bed head?

I have been using an 8-inch wedge pillow on top of my mattress and the doc said that would not work. You have to actually elevate the entire head of the bed (yeah I know people on here report sliding down all night when they try this).

JimW · Post by **JimW** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:57 am

rooster wrote:I have been using an 8-inch wedge pillow on top of my mattress and the doc said that would not work. You have to actually elevate the entire head of the bed (yeah I know people on here report sliding down all night when they try this).

Seems like the idea is to put your head higher than your stomach. I don't understand why using a wedge wouldn't work, unless it might put some pressure on the stomach. In medical settings, to avoid GERD/regurgitation, the head (only) of the bed is elevated mechanically (via crank or motor.) This is effectively the same as using a wedge pillow, except that it's adjustable.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:01 am

Alisha wrote:Rooster, I bought some 6" risers, but they were too high and caused me to slide down toward the end of bed. Then I stacked some large hardback books to nearly 5", made sure the stacks were even, and this works fine for me.

It is important that the entire bed be tilted to support the spine. Using extra pillows under head or under mattress can throw the spine out of line.

Regards,

Alisha

OK Alisha, That's good to know before I go to BBB this afternoon. They have some cheap bed lifts (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/stylepa ... NT=0&IPP=8).
and you can choose an elevation of 3.5, 5.5 or 7.0 inches. Sounds like I will slide out of bed at 7" and 3.5" might not be tall enough to help the gerd. Probably will try 5.5" (the black ones for $9.99). That is awfully close to the 6" the doc recommended and I can alway add 1" books if needed. What do you think? Will I need a shoulder harness strapped to the head of the bed to keep from sliding off the foot?

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:05 am

JimW wrote: Seems like the idea is to put your head higher than your stomach. I don't understand why using a wedge wouldn't work, unless it might put some pressure on the stomach. In medical settings, to avoid GERD/regurgitation, the head (only) of the bed is elevated mechanically (via crank or motor.) This is effectively the same as using a wedge pillow, except that it's adjustable.

Maybe the problem with the 8" wedge I use is that the body bends before the digestive system ends. If you raise the entire bed head then it looks like you would have a straight shot from the gullet to the "digestive terminus". What do you think?

JimW · Post by **JimW** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:14 am

Makes sense; hospital beds, ideally, put the bend at the pelvis/hips. Might be a matter of trial and error, and whether a wedge works might depend on your height/distance from top of head to hips.

As to not sliding down if you elevate the full bed at the head, you could try one of these - http://www.posey.com/poseystore/Product ... uctid=4430 - if you can figure out how to fasten it to your bed. I don't guaranty comfort, however.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:32 am

JimW wrote:....
As to not sliding down if you elevate the full bed at the head, you could try one of these - http://www.posey.com/poseystore/Product ... uctid=4430 - if you can figure out how to fasten it to your bed. I don't guaranty comfort, however.

Oh great - on top of everything else I am going to end up with a high-pitched voice.

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Sat May 26, 2007 10:59 am

I have the head of my bed elevated about 9 inches for GERD. It does help quite a bit. I'm on the max doseage of PPI about $240 a month. I slide down a bit, but not such a big deal as sleeping with a mask on. Once you are used to it, it seems like you are sleeping on a flat bed.

Maybe we can hook the mask and hose up to the headboard to keep us from sliding down. First one to do this successfully could be nominated fro a labrat award, who knows?

I got those bed risers from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I got the tallest ones and stacked two together to get more height. Much nicer than cinderblocks and easier to handle. Around $10.

I tried the wedge pillow and it really hurt my back. I don't like those hospital beds, either.

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Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat May 26, 2007 12:22 pm

gee I wonder what they hope to find with an endoscopy.

don't forget to ask for your pictures.

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i