GERD / pillows / hunger questions.....

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:26 am

OK, so I'm investigating the possibility that my bloating problems with CPAP are cause by an underlying GERD issue.

I started taking Prilosec OTC a few days ago... just to give it a try. I also completely changed my pillow scenario. I had been told previously to avoid the bloating to sleep with a very shallow pillow, or even no pillow at all.

A few nights ago, I stated sleeping with 4 pillows... under my shoulders and under my head to raise my torso.

Wa-la! no more bloating. How this is working, I don't know... but I'm thankful.

Another interesting side effect of the Prilosec is I've lost my constant hunger. Usually, 2 hours after a meal, my stomach is rumbling again. For the past 2 days, I've easily gone from meal to meal without getting hungry... even skipping dinner one night because I just wasn't hungry.

I'm guessing this has something to do with the diminished acid levels in my stomach due to the Prilosec? This could be a very handy side effect.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:16 pm

[quote="jqp"]

Another interesting side effect of the Prilosec is I've lost my constant hunger. Usually, 2 hours after a meal, my stomach is rumbling again. For the past 2 days, I've easily gone from meal to meal without getting hungry... even skipping dinner one night because I just wasn't hungry.

I'm guessing this has something to do with the diminished acid levels in my stomach due to the Prilosec? This could be a very handy side effect.

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:22 pm

Cool... it's not my imagination then.

jimbassett · Post by **jimbassett** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:23 pm

I raised the head of my bed about 4 inches and that helped a bunch. I still have an occasional problem but, I hoping maybe with time it will diminish. I will try the priloserc also and see how that goes. Thanks for the info.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:14 pm

Ah, I envy you! I had to stop taking prilosec when I found out I was pregnant. I am now allowed to take zantac, but it doesn't work as well or the same way.

You might want to try a foam wedge pillow. I really, really like mine. It is called medislant and is available on Amazon. There aren't very many on the market that are truly long enough to go all the way to the hips. When they are too short they can put a "crimp" in your stomach and make gerd worse.

A LOT of us on CPAP have GERD. It seems to be a chicken and egg thing. But I think most cpap patients would benefit from some benign gerd treatments like wedges and trying to sleep on the left side.

Jen

grandmma · Post by **grandmma** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:30 pm

Pardon my ignorance, but what is GERD? I ask because this thread is interesting to me. Since starting CPAP I'm constantly hungry, to the point of nausea if I do not eat, so your comments are timely. Makes waiting for the weight to 'drop' off a long (and ultimately fruitless) proposition!

jqp · Post by **jqp** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:34 pm

uh.. gastro esophageal reflux disease (I think)

basically stomach acid leaking back up your esophogus at night when you lay down....

grandmma · Post by **grandmma** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:52 pm

Ooookay! Thanks for that reply, jpq. Have a lot of (small) problems, but thankfully not that one!

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:15 pm

jimbassett wrote:I raised the head of my bed about 4 inches and that helped a bunch. I still have an occasional problem but, I hoping maybe with time it will diminish. I will try the priloserc also and see how that goes. Thanks for the info.

Tried that once with my waterbed.

djtowle · Post by **djtowle** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:59 am

grandmma wrote:Ooookay! Thanks for that reply, jpq. Have a lot of (small) problems, but thankfully not that one!

There is a 'silent' version as well. No symptoms. Long ago I had the 'painful' version, then with age and learning to relax more it seemed to go away. However after starting CPAP it seemed I had a lump in my throat during the day. Doctor proposed GERD, and a Pepcid prescription. I've been using the OTC version for now, but may take him up on the prescription strength.

Some info here:
http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/topics/GERD.cfm

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:12 am

I too have silent GERD. Where you don't have heartburn. I still had damage to my esophogus. My only symptom was a feeling of mucous in my throat that I couldn't clear out of my throat or swallow down. The ENT said that is almost always GERD. So, if you clear your throat a lot, chances are you have GERD. I thought it was just drainage from allergies. It wasn't.

My doc says I am at lower risk by taking prilosec all the time than I am at having untreated GERD.

Jen

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:21 am

Yes, I too have a constant "gunky throat." I have constant sinus drainage though.

didusaynaptime · Post by **didusaynaptime** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:44 pm

Hi, I had my sleep study last night. No fun. I think they will put me on the full mask. I also have GERD very, very bad. I have acid reflux almost every night. Sometimes it comes through my mouth and nose at the same time choking me. I am having an endoscopy next week. I do have a hiatel hernia, so I don't know if that is causing it. Anyway, between the sleep apnea, and Gerd, I feel like I'm going to choke to death at some point. I'm only 38 and otherwise healthy. I'm little overweight, but that started with the sleep apnea.

didusaynaptime · Post by **didusaynaptime** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:46 pm

Hi, I had my sleep study last night. No fun. I think they will put me on the full mask. I also have GERD very, very bad. I have acid reflux almost every night. Sometimes it comes through my mouth and nose at the same time choking me. I am having an endoscopy next week. I do have a hiatel hernia, so I don't know if that is causing it. Anyway, between the sleep apnea, and Gerd, I feel like I'm going to choke to death at some point. I'm only 38 and otherwise healthy. I'm little overweight, but that started with the sleep apnea.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:58 pm

I think you will find the GERD is significantly affecting your apnea. Stomach acid is not meant to be in those areas and it is surely causing some inflammation. I have heard of people having severe sinus issues or even lung issues like COPD with GERD like what you describe. I hope you get the GERD under control--it surely will help your cpap treatment go more smoothly. I don't know what a hiatal hernia is, but ask your docs if there are positions or wedges that you can sleep in to try to prevent this from happening while you sleep.

You have found a great place for support and nurturing during this hard time. Stick with us. We are a good bunch.

Jen

GERD / pillows / hunger questions.....

GERD / pillows / hunger questions.....

Re: GERD / pillows / hunger questions.....

silent GERD

What's GERD?

Re: silent GERD

Gerd

osa and gerd

osa and gerd