CPAPtalk.com

BlackSpinner wrote:

palerider wrote:

PEF wrote:Really good articles, PR, I just finished reading them. Thanks for posting.

there's a lot more out there, I just googled "h pylori stomach acid' and looked for information one way or the other, then posted a couple.

There are also correlations with pneumonia with antacid meds as well as heart conditions.

Absolutely right. Once someone kills off their stomach acid and has an overload of bad bacteria in their digestive system, they can aspirate this mess up into their lungs and bronchial tubes, getting repeated respiratory infections.

BlackSpinner wrote: There are also correlations with pneumonia with antacid meds as well as heart conditions.

I hadn't heard about the heart condition, but using Tums and such for GERD just masks the problem that never goes away. Since I started taking 40 mg. of generic prilosec, I haven't had pnemonia or bronchitis (going on 6 years) which was an annual event for me. If I wasn't already seeing a gastroenterologist every other year, my doc would have sent me periodically to be evaluated for cancer and ulcers because, as you read, low stomach acid sets you up for H. Pylori. Keep in mind also, that you can have a bleeding ulcer without any pain at all.

Here is a link to the heart issues

Proton pump inhibitors are a form of antacid drug commonly taken by adults for a range of health conditions. However, a new study suggests people may need to be cautious of their use, finding that adults using the drug are 16-21% more likely to have a heart attack than people not using the antacid.
A different type of antacid drug known as an H2 blocker was not associated with an increase in heart attack risk, however.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frequently prescribed to treat a variety of conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Helicobacter pylori infection. Names for these drugs - lansoprazole and omeprazole, for example - always feature the suffix "-prazole."

I got myself off ppi's and antacids this year. I never did anything so difficult in my life as I was on them for DECADES.

Two books were very helpful:
https://www.amazon.com/Heartburn-Digest ... B007WZHCWK

https://www.amazon.com/Why-Stomach-Acid ... od+for+you

I won't say it was easy or fun. I was sick as a dog for a few days and miserable for a few months. But I'm off the drugs which more and more are being found to be harmful. And wedge pillows, antacids and ppi's treat symptoms, not causes. It's and endless hamster wheel and I am so happy to be off of it!!!

Well I also have a hernia at the top of the stomach so the pillows help a lot. Gravity is a wonderful thing.

I am not surprised the ad does not disclose the price.
Which is $329 on the one site which states it upfront.
YIKES!

chunkyfrog wrote:I am not surprised the ad does not disclose the price.
Which is $329 on the one site which states it upfront.
YIKES!

Ouch. On the other hand, maybe you just have to think of it as a medical device? A high quality feather pillow is about $125 and lasts 5-10 years. I would expect the wedge to last at least that long, so maybe not so painful if you look at it that way.

chunkyfrog wrote:I am not surprised the ad does not disclose the price.
Which is $329 on the one site which states it upfront.
YIKES!

It is a form of medical equipment. As such it is cheap.

chunkyfrog wrote:I am not surprised the ad does not disclose the price.
Which is $329 on the one site which states it upfront.
YIKES!

Let's not mislead, CF. The price is listed on the site, and the wedge costs $199. If you opt for the additional body pillow, the two items are $329. And there's a 60-day money-back guarantee.

If the product makes a difference and enables a good night's sleep for someone who suffers from GERD, I'd say it's a small price to pay. Worst case scenario, it doesn't relieve your symptoms and you return it and get 90% money back (10% disposal fee).

It's the only wedge pillow I've ever seen that allows for side-sleeping in comfort; seems to me that the risk of losing $20 or $33 to try it is reasonable. But to each his/her own... *shrug*

BleepingBeauty wrote:

chunkyfrog wrote:I am not surprised the ad does not disclose the price.
Which is $329 on the one site which states it upfront.
YIKES!

Let's not mislead, CF. The price is listed on the site, and the wedge costs $199. If you opt for the additional body pillow, the two items are $329. And there's a 60-day money-back guarantee.

If the product makes a difference and enables a good night's sleep for someone who suffers from GERD, I'd say it's a small price to pay. Worst case scenario, it doesn't relieve your symptoms and you return it and get 90% money back (10% disposal fee).

It's the only wedge pillow I've ever seen that allows for side-sleeping in comfort; seems to me that the risk of losing $20 or $33 to try it is reasonable. But to each his/her own... *shrug*

Didn't you post a mattress link with a similar side-sleeping feature a while back? It had a slot cut out for arm and shoulder.

Thanks for sharing all the info here! I had my first bad GERD incident a few days into my bipap treatment a couple of months ago. I left messages with the sleep dr. and my primary care. The primary care returned the call first and recommended prilosec and the sleep dr. called later and recommended a stomach acid test. SInce it was my first episode I thought the prilosec sounded more reasonable, so I went with that. Now my primary care wants me to take prilosec in the fall and winter and xantac in the spring and summer...I asked her about the heart risks I had recently read about regarding prilosec and she didn't really respond. While I haven't had another bad episode (with the prilosec and a wedge pillow-now trying the raised head of bed) I still have a bit of a sore throat. I think I will get these recommended books and learn more about a more natural approach. You guys are the best!

DreamStalker wrote:
Didn't you post a mattress link with a similar side-sleeping feature a while back? It had a slot cut out for arm and shoulder.

Yep, that was me. http://www.cuddle-mattress.com/