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Adjustable bed frames: Acid reflux after esophageal cancer treatment

Posted by Lori57216 @lori57216, Jan 22, 2022

Esophogeal cancer treatment, surgery to remove esopohagus survivor. Still suffering from bad acid reflux even with omeprazole BID. Anyone recommend an adjustable bed frame that won't break the bank. I did lift the head of my bed frame up the recommended 6" but I need a frame / mattress that also bends at the knees so I'm not sliding out of bed.

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beckydm | @beckydm | Oct 25, 2023
In reply to @lori57216 "No feeding tube here. They stretched my stomach up into my chest." + (show)
@lori57216

No feeding tube here. They stretched my stomach up into my chest.

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Hey Lori

My husband is having this same procedure done in two weeks….
Could you share with me your recovery time in the hospital and what it looked like? How long it was and how you felt when you came out of surgery? ❤️

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Lori57216 | @lori57216 | Oct 26, 2023

Beckydm,
When I came out of surgery I don't remember much of anything as I was kept on some pretty potent drugs. But after I was coherent I didn't feel alot of pain at all. Not enough to complain about. I had a feeding tube(J tube for about 10 wks). I was up walking a short distance after about 3 days. I was scheduled to be in the hospital for a week but they extended it to 2 weeks as the drainage tube in my neck incision became infected. I can honestly say I didn't have much of any complications with this procedure.
Your husband will tire out very quickly but it's important to keep him up and walking a bit throughout the day. Best of luck. He will be just fine!!!!!
Lori

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karen72 | @karen72 | Oct 12 9:53pm
In reply to @advocatepaul "Sorry for the use of "feeding tube" without an explanation of the meaning. A normal stomach..." + (show)
@advocatepaul

Sorry for the use of "feeding tube" without an explanation of the meaning. A normal stomach is a bowl designed to hold food and gradually break it down for entry into the small intestine. As the attached illustration shows, the stomach's physical configuration drastically changes after surgery, and its function as a bowl no longer exists. Using the "feeding tube" label is an attempt to illustrate that we still have an esophagus-type tube that provides a pathway for food intake. Perhaps calling the "feeding tube" a "new esophagus" would be more clear. My objective is to get patients to understand that the function of the stomach that we had is no longer possible. The "new esophagus", unlike the old esophagus is made of stomach material and does continue to produce some acid. The stub of the old esophagus is the juncture where the "new esophagus" is attached. At that point, the stomach acid can over time deteriorate the stub. That's why other steps need to be taken to reduce acid production. Over ten years ago I had an esophagectomy and the average life span to survive was five years. I'm going for twenty. I've been a patient advocate for ten years. You can private message me.

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My husband is 4 weeks after surgery and still has his feeding tube. We are starting "normal" soft foods. Is there anything we should stay away from? Everything so far has been tolerated. Seem like I'm getting small meals all day, need ideas how to space out meals. Thanks for any suggestions to help with this transition. Thank you

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1 reply
deepdive1967 | @deepdive1967 | Oct 12 10:14pm

Hello,
I am a 14yr survivor. If there's anything I could say about what you are told after you are cleared for a regular diet is to take what the Drs with a grain of salt. Don't be afraid to experiment. After surgery your body goes thru adjustments and everyone is different. I'm 14 yrs out and mine is still adapting.
I would suggest packing as much protein and calories as possible to keep up strength and weight, I personally found that peanut butter, eggs, cottage cheese and chicken noodle soup worked for me.

I hope this helps, keep asking questions...There will be many

Scott

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sboswell | @sboswell | Oct 13 7:03am

I would recommend any adjustable bed frame that is affordable. Get a quality foam mattress. This is now our way of life. Every time you get acid reflux at night and start to cough it is hurting your lungs. I am almost a 2 year survivor from surgery. After all you have been thru please get an adjustable bed you deserve it. Good luck to you !!

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cbsmom | @cbsmom | Oct 15 2:45pm

Thank you all for the valuable info provided. I have a silly ?. After my esophagectomy, we purchased a split king enabling me to sleep @ the 30degree angle. I’m so uncomfortable sleeping on my back at the upward angle anyone use a regular pillow on top of the angled mattress? I keep sliding down flat. Any pillow suggestions? Thanks in advance

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1 reply
deepdive1967 | @deepdive1967 | Oct 15 5:45pm
In reply to @cbsmom "Thank you all for the valuable info provided. I have a silly ?. After my esophagectomy,..." + (show)
@cbsmom

Thank you all for the valuable info provided. I have a silly ?. After my esophagectomy, we purchased a split king enabling me to sleep @ the 30degree angle. I’m so uncomfortable sleeping on my back at the upward angle anyone use a regular pillow on top of the angled mattress? I keep sliding down flat. Any pillow suggestions? Thanks in advance

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If you raise the foot of the bed, or the "zero gravity" on some beds, it should help with sliding down.

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1 reply
cbsmom | @cbsmom | Oct 15 7:01pm
In reply to @deepdive1967 "If you raise the foot of the bed, or the "zero gravity" on some beds, it..." + (show)
@deepdive1967

If you raise the foot of the bed, or the "zero gravity" on some beds, it should help with sliding down.

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Thank you, would you suggest not using a pillow on top of the raised bed? I really appreciate your suggestions.

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2 replies
cbsmom | @cbsmom | Oct 15 7:02pm
In reply to @cbsmom "Thank you, would you suggest not using a pillow on top of the raised bed? I..." + (show)
@cbsmom

Thank you, would you suggest not using a pillow on top of the raised bed? I really appreciate your suggestions.

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Another silly question! I will try with & without. Thank you.

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deepdive1967 | @deepdive1967 | Oct 15 8:00pm
In reply to @cbsmom "Thank you, would you suggest not using a pillow on top of the raised bed? I..." + (show)
@cbsmom

Thank you, would you suggest not using a pillow on top of the raised bed? I really appreciate your suggestions.

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It's a preference thing. It increases the angle even more so I would go with what's more comfortable

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