Awake after 4 hours and acid reflux

[jazzer4]

I have finally realized it is acid reflux waking me up after four hours of sleep.
Taking something like Pepcid seems to help but today I got a wedge for my bed. It's 22x22 and 7" high.
One of my questions is do you put a wedge under the mattress or do you sleep on it? It really seems to bend the mattress funny.
My other question concerns taking Pepcid every night, is that safe?

[sawinglogz]

The major recommendation here for reflux is to put some boards or cinderblocks on the floor under the head of your bed. You need about 6" elevation. This keeps anything (especially you) from bending in any strange ways.

As to the wedge, you're supposed to sleep on it, not put it under your mattress. But I think 22" is also going to be too short and make you bend at the worst possible point for reflux. Unfortunately, 22" is the most common variety to be found at big box stores. You need something 32"-36". I tried the 32" one briefly and it was long enough, but I kept shimmying down it at night, so I gave up on it.

I'll be trying the boards soon.

[Thewino]

Hey jazzer,

I still don't know the correlation but when my Rheumatologist who I had been seeing for more than two years heard that I had acid reflux, he ordered the sleep study. The rest is history.

My primary has finally has my reflux under control. I take Prilosec 20mg twice daily and Zantac 150mg once daily. Once I started this regimen, I have not had one episode.

Reflux is rough. It can be very painful and do great damage to your esophageal tract.

Be well,
TheWino

P.S. I mentioned some medications which I am not recommending for anyone. I am not a physician and am only offering my very own opinions and experiences. I am not offering advice.

[JDS74]

You might consult with your doc about a med called Protonix which treats GERDS.
GERDS is a serious condition and self diagnosis and treatment is risky.

[Rob108]

You might consult with your doc about a med called Protonix which treats GERDS.
GERDS is a serious condition and self diagnosis and treatment is risky.

Good advice!
Self medicating with OTC medicines long term can mask serious problems.
When they made previously RX only medicines available as OTC people missed the fact that something serious, even life threatening mightt be going on.
Seeing a Gastroenterologist should be done before long term self medication lulls the unwary person down a path no one would willingly take.
Besides an endoscopy isn't bad and is a whole lot nicer than problems masking this disease can bring

[Loreena]

Check out this thread, especially DreamStalker's posts:

viewtopic/t93297/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=87 ... ux#p805484

[mgaggie]

I get horrible reflux, often stomach acid will come all the way up into my mouth which is really unpleasant and can be painful.

Anyway I take a medication (when I remember to) called Nexium. It really makes a difference. Not sure if its the same name in the US though

[Rob108]

I get horrible reflux, often stomach acid will come all the way up into my mouth which is really unpleasant and can be painful.

Anyway I take a medication (when I remember to) called Nexium. It really makes a difference. Not sure if its the same name in the US though

mgaggie....Yes, Nexium is the name of a prescription medicine sold in the US

Check out this thread, especially DreamStalker's posts:

viewtopic/t93297/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=87 ... ux#p805484

Persistent Acid Reflux (GERD) is NOT a Go it alone disease. Too many unseen things could be causing or exacerbating the perceived over-production of stomach acid. Self medicating with OTC remedies may, or may not effectively treat the cause.

If you are suffering from heartburn, acid reflux symptoms for ANY period longer than three consecutive days ( unless you are positive your condition is self inflicted by say...Over-eating and popping into bed a short time later) do yourself a favor and consult with your regular doctor.

Not all doctors are incompetent, money grabbing quacks like some seem to think. If that's the truth why get a sleep study and cpap machine? Diagnose (do I snore?, wake during the night breathless?, feel tired during the day?) and treat apnea yourself. Just get a small shop vac at a local big box store and fashion a headgear to attach to the exhaust port to provide constant positive air pressure for a whole lot cheaper. What do the incompetent, ignorant, money grabbing quacks know that I don’t? Right?