tried bed wedge pillows?

has anyone tried bed wedge pillows to help with sleep?

I'm considering getting one... does anyone have any insight about optimal angle for OSA?

The prices are all about $35.

The dimensions i'm considering:
9x27x27 (9 inch rise, 18 degree angle)
10x24x24 (10 in. rise, 22 degree angle)
12x24x24 (12 in. rise, 26 degree angle)

I'm thinking about the first option, as it seems a gentle rise would be easier on the back. But somewhere, and i can't find the link, i think i read about being close to 30 degrees is a better therapy.

Your thoughts are appreciated!

Well, it wasn't for OSA, because I didn't know I had it at the time. I bought the 12" rise pillow for use after my cancer surgery when I could not sleep on my side.

It worked well, although I had a tendency to only use about three-fourths of the pillow. I have no idea if the 9" one would have worked better.

Hi, I've heard that even 6" can make a real difference to (raising) a whole bed, and I'd be a bit careful about starting with the measurements you gave for a pillow (wedge). Can you not fix some kind of fake wedge as a trial maybe at a lower step up and see if it does the job before spending on a custom one?

I used the MedSlant for reflux (with a memory foam pillow) before I found out about my apnea. It does help. I haven't slept without it since I got it (like my CPAP!). However, I think it's mostly my CPAP treatment that has literally cured 90-95% of my reflux issues. It's a good pillow, albeit a bit pricey. It is a 7" high pillow.

I bought an adjustable TempurPedic Bed - which is CERTAINLY expensive compared with a good wedge pillow for GERD.

I'd recommend going with Tatooyu's MedSlant Pillow (very similar to the one I used before I bought the adjustable bed). The reason is that it is LONGER than your usual wedge pillows . . . and that is essential to elevate you properly for acid reflux. The average wedge pillow is too short and doesn't go down far enough.

Julie wrote:Hi, I've heard that even 6" can make a real difference to (raising) a whole bed, and I'd be a bit careful about starting with the measurements you gave for a pillow (wedge). Can you not fix some kind of fake wedge as a trial maybe at a lower step up and see if it does the job before spending on a custom one?

Thanks for your suggestion
Yes, I've tried the bed elevation method about 7 years ago, before i was married. It gives the bed a gentle 6 degree rise (i've been using an online triangle calculator for this, i'm not coming up with this from my head). for a few years, I used 6 x 12 x 12 wood blocks that I made. Despite the block size, the bed fell off once a month or so. Eventually, I had to give up on them when the foundation of my bed cracked (presumably from applying pressure in a way that the foundation wasn't designed for)

However, I found some $7 plastic bed-risers from IKEA about 18 months ago. The bed has never fallen off. However, It's elevated uniformly now for storage reasons. I tried to use only 2 blocks at the head of the bed, but my wife couldn't stand it. She felt like she was going to roll down the bed.

Maybe tonight I'll take the time to do the research to find out the suggested degree rise, if there is one...

tattooyu wrote:I used the MedSlant for reflux (with a memory foam pillow) before I found out about my apnea. It does help. I haven't slept without it since I got it (like my CPAP!). However, I think it's mostly my CPAP treatment that has literally cured 90-95% of my reflux issues. It's a good pillow, albeit a bit pricey. It is a 7" high pillow.

I appreciate the advice.
I checked out the website. According to it, it's 24" wide by 32" long by 7" high.
The calculator says its about 12 degrees.

It looks like it's well made.

I haven't really found any definitive website that says anything about angle and OSA. However, regarding GERD:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesop ... ux_disease
...says at least 6 inches...
and
this website
http://www.arpillow.com/refluxinfo.php
links to medical evidence that supports the 30 degree wedge--- at least for babies.

Eh, i dunno!

I sleep with two wedges. One is for GERD and the other is for my legs. I sleep in a V shape!

Having had Cervical Spine Surgery, I would make sure the wedge pillow went down your back like the pillows they use in the hospital. That way you will not hurt your neck or spine.
Good luck!

Not sure if the one I used was 9 or 12 inches in height, but I kept sliding down and ending up with little of me on it. I'm more of a side sleeper and didn't like it for that. It was hard foam, not memory foam, and I think that would have made a difference in slippage. And I think it was not staying in a proper position aggravated my back pain.

I ended up rolling up a medium thickness comforter and placing it across the head of the bed between the mattress and box springs. I would estimate it made about a 4 to 5 inch rise after getting smashed down by use - not enough to cause me to slide. Can't say it should get all the credit for my improved reflux, since CPAP must get some credit. My bed is not propped now and I rarely have symptoms.

Kathy