Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Bobidy on October 26, 2019, 12:00:51 AM
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I'm just wondering if anybody has tried raising the bedhead to help with refux?
I usually use pillows but always end up slipping down.
I know you can get blocks or use bricks under the top legs. Do you then need to put something under the middle legs to stabilise the bed?
Has this helped at all?
Thanks x
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Are you taking any prescribed medication?
Taz x :-\
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Dad had to raise the legs at the end of the bed but I never found out why?
I have to sit up if I have indigestion or reflux. Why not try and see what happens, if more pillows help?
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Thanks all, I had medication ages ago but I got really anemic whilst on it, when I came off it the rebound reflux was even worse. I can usually keep it under control but it's flared up and I'm so breathless with it which is awful, I'm almost gasping for breath. I thought I'd try raising the head of the bed.
Does the wedge sit under the mattress?
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Get some bricks under the legs of the bed?
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Thanks all, I had medication ages ago but I got really anemic whilst on it, when I came off it the rebound reflux was even worse. I can usually keep it under control but it's flared up and I'm so breathless with it which is awful, I'm almost gasping for breath. I thought I'd try raising the head of the bed.
Does the wedge sit under the mattress?
If your symptoms have returned then I really think you need medical advice especially as you are breathless. You need a proper diagnosis. In the meantime you need to sleep as upright as possible on a number of pillows. Do you wake up choking on the acid? I hated that before my hiatus hernia diagnosis.
Taz x :hug:
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Thanks ladies, yes I'm going to get back to the drs I think. To be honest I've been there about this problem quite a few times and they didn't seem too bothered. I had antibiotics a while back for something else and after that the breathing seemed to get better but it's gone back again.
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Could you be anaemic again? This can make you breathless.
Taz x
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We have blocks under the legs of the head of the bed and it's not really made any difference.
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I'm just wondering if anybody has tried raising the bedhead to help with refux?
I usually use pillows but always end up slipping down.
I know you can get blocks or use bricks under the top legs. Do you then need to put something under the middle legs to stabilise the bed?
Has this helped at all?
Thanks x
I played golf with a guy Thursday who said he put bricks under the head end of the bed to stop his wife's reflux and it worked x
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Bobidy. I think it's a good idea. I got up to 4 pillows and that just makes your neck ache. !
I sympathise. It's so painful plus its,not good for your throat. Being a singer by trade I absolutely have to stop the acid with meds which is unfortunate as like you Ive had issues with omprazole. It works like a dream to prevent reflux but It caused IBS, the gasteologist said it is notorious for it and I'm constantly getting b12 and folate deficiency . I'm sure my hair sheding is connected to it too. When trying to stop, .the rebound is horrendous and doesnt settle over time either.
Let us know how you get on with It. It has to be more comfortable than the pillow mountain!!!
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Will do, there are some recessed blocks to put under the legs which look stable so I think I'll get them.
Did you get folate deficiency through reflux? If so that is interesting because I feel like I did when I was anemic with heavy periods pre hysterectomy.
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I'm retraining and at a recent lecture we were told that that raising the bed was one of the a strategies to us for people with reflux. Other suggestions included, reducing /avoiding alcohol and carbonated drinks and avoiding spicy foods.
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Bobiddy. It's not the reflux itself. It's the omprazole lowers my b12 , folic acid and iron. I think that's why I can link the onset of my hair loss to starting the omprazole. It can lower magnesium too. Xx
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Aha, yes, that's what happened to me the mefalonic acid and iron tablets caused the reflux, then the omprazole made me severely anemic etc! Plus the rebound acid afterwards.
Thanks again x
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Yes. I think ppis like omprazole effect the gut. That must be why the absorption of b12 etc lowers. I'm on prescription folic acid ATM. I had tingling hands and feet. 2 weeks on folic acid and the tingles have stopped.
I think rantadine acts in a different way but it doesnt work for me. Have you tried it?
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Aha, yes, that's what happened to me the mefalonic acid and iron tablets caused the reflux, then the omprazole made me severely anemic etc! Plus the rebound acid afterwards.
Thanks again x
How long were you on omeprazole for and can you remember the dosage? The reduction in stomach acid stops the absorption of iron and B12 through the gut. I've been on it for a year and my GP said that I will need blood tests for iron, B12 and calcium after two years of use. Not sure whether that's too long.
Taz x
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Taz. I've been on it 3 years. After about 6 months I went doc with the tingly numb sensations and blood test revealed low b12. They didnt connect it. Since then I've had several low folate tests. I can now recognise the symptoms. But By the time I've got symptoms it's very low. Doc admitted last month the omprazole is causing it.
One thing I would say is once I'd been on it over 2 years and still couldnt come off it I asked why and was sent for an endescopy. They also tested for h pyroli. All clear. But worth checking. There are some conditions only PPIs seem to work for.
They are just a devil to get off of. Ideally after 6 months they should be stopped to see if symptoms are gone but I was just left on them for 2 years with nobody questioning it or linking the absorption of iron issue until this year. I suspect this is unfortunately common.
Do you feel you have symptoms of low iron etc. When my iron was low I felt very tired. B12 and folate seem to be more neurological for me. I.e. tingly/numb hands, feet, lips and mouth and light headedness,.
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Such a shame it wasn't mentioned to you when you first started. I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia following the lump in the throat feeling and ulceration. I was on 40mg but have reduced to 20mg and hope to eventually get on to a maintenance dose of 10mg. The hernia will obviously always be there so I will always need the PPI I guess. Although I worry about the long term effects life is so much more comfortable now.
I don't have any symptoms of low B12 or iron but because my GP mentioned the long term risk I'm watching for them. I checked the leaflet and these risks are both mentioned but who reads all of the possibilities?
Taz x
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True taz. I'm on 20. Mg. Hopefully the 10mg will control your symptoms. Now the higher dose has hopefully healed the ulceration. I guess that's the idea.
I dont seem to get symptoms til my levels go right into the red. I wish I could buy the same strength fix acid and b12 OTC I could then stay on it all the time. So I would stop getting so low every few months.
If and when you get tested get magnesium tested too.
I've recently tried going to every other day on 20 but acid is,back by evening of the day off. I think I'm going to ask for 10mg. Is 20mg controlling your acid?
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Yes, fingers crossed, so far it's working well. I can still have a hot drink without feeling my throat is scalded which is how I gauge it and the irritating tickly cough has stayed away. I also don't wake up in the night with that choking feeling. Absolutely hated that!
Taz x