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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@lori57216 I believe @johnbishop has some knowledge on adjustable bed frames that he may be willing to share with you. His interest was due to neuropathy, but nonetheless, the information may prove helpful to you!

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@lori57216 - Several years ago we bought a Ghostbed Split California King adjustable base bed (2 TwinXL Frames pushed together). The ZG (zero gravity) position is really comfortable and takes pressure off of the lower back. https://www.ghostbed.com/products/adjustable-base. It was the cheapest frame we could find. Costco has them on sale once a year or so but don't know when.

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@johnbishop

@lori57216 - Several years ago we bought a Ghostbed Split California King adjustable base bed (2 TwinXL Frames pushed together). The ZG (zero gravity) position is really comfortable and takes pressure off of the lower back. https://www.ghostbed.com/products/adjustable-base. It was the cheapest frame we could find. Costco has them on sale once a year or so but don't know when.

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Thank you very much John for your comment / help.

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@lori57216

Thank you very much John for your comment / help.

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I think they also have a queen size if you don't like two beds pushed together. The nice thing we like about it is each of us can change the settings for preferences. The zero gravity position is nice and is a one button push on the remote. The downside might be you have to have 2 sets of Twin XL fitted bottom sheets for the mattresses and 1 King sized top sheet and blankets so it's a little extra work when changing sheets 🙃

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I have a queen mattress. Just need the frame. I'm seriously looking into this one!!! TYVM!!

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Lori- I bought my adjustable bed frame from Denver Mattress and the mattress I had was compatible with it as I had purchased it new a few yrs earlier from the Denver Mattress Store. I have no record of the cost. It does have the knee adj also.
I also have acid reflux but only rarely and I am on Prilosec. I do best when I allow 3 hours between eating and bedtime. Sometimes I slide down my mattress and am lying too flat. I don’t do alcohol or eat spicy food in the evening-I can’t pinpoint the exact cause.

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My husband had his esophagus removed eight weeks ago and is having issues with a stricture and scar tissue up at his throat. We have one of those huge pillows it looks like you’re being hugged? It’s some thing that I had in college and I bought another one prior to my surgery. So what we do is we turn it upside down and it makes a big wedge and then we have pillows so that my husband can sleep sort of sitting up. I bought this pillow at Walmart for about $20 a couple of years ago. I’m sure you can find a wedge in a medical catalog if you look for physical therapy or alternate positioning.

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Try Dexilant 60 mg at bedtime for acid reflux. Ask your dr. first if its suitable for you.

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@agould105

My husband had his esophagus removed eight weeks ago and is having issues with a stricture and scar tissue up at his throat. We have one of those huge pillows it looks like you’re being hugged? It’s some thing that I had in college and I bought another one prior to my surgery. So what we do is we turn it upside down and it makes a big wedge and then we have pillows so that my husband can sleep sort of sitting up. I bought this pillow at Walmart for about $20 a couple of years ago. I’m sure you can find a wedge in a medical catalog if you look for physical therapy or alternate positioning.

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Your husband's life will be a series of adjustments for the rest of his life. Twenty-five years ago my GI Doc said "humans are not designed to be lying flat and we all should be sleeping with our sleeping surface on a continuous tilt, higher at the head and lower at the foot". I didn't pay enough attention and ended up with esophageal cancer and had my esophagectomy over ten years ago. I've been taking omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor PPI, 40mg, twice a day for years. Additionally, I chew two Tums (calcium carbonate) prior to reclining for my, hopefully, eight hours of night-time sleep. The PPI works via your bloodstream to reduce the production of acid and the Tums helps to quickly chemically neutralize the acid in the throat and the after-surgery feeding tube. I'm a side and stomach sleeper and the pillow wedges never worked for me. I've spent a lot of money on special devices and electric beds and the best option has been a specially-made incline base that is permanently installed on the bed under the mattress. In incline needs to be a straight surface that is about 6" to 8" higher at the head but pivoting at the foot.

Shared files

News You Can Use-Acid Reflux (News-You-Can-Use-Acid-Reflux.pdf)

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When do you take the omeprazole? How do you handle the acid reflux during the night?

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