PD and reflux/GERD

[rubberstampingflowers]

I haven't seen this topic addressed. Point me in the right direction if is has been!  I have had GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) all my life because I produce too much gastric acid.  Over the years I've been on just about every med that has come out for this.  Proton pump inhibitors were the first meds that actually keep it under control.  However, I'm having issues with dinner time spacing with night time PD cycler and what I choose to eat for dinner that effect the whole night trying to lay down and get some sleep between draining cycles.  I have noticed that if I get dinner by 6 PM, I can go on my cycler @2-3 hrs later with a better chance of not having reflux.  I try to stay away from Italian anything for dinner and spicy food period.  I know that chocolate, caffeine, and acidic fruit juices are to be avoided at night too.  When I started PD training, I requested to be started on a lower fill volume (1500ml) since I am 5'1" and didn't want too much pressure on top of GERD.  They checked my clearance with this amount and it was fine so they didn't up the volume.  I still have intermittent issues with heartburn and I'm wondering if anyone else has found any other solutions! 

[jeannea]

I only had occasional reflux. I kept a little food in my room and some water so I could calm my throat down. But I suspect you need more help than that. Does it help to sleep on more than one pillow so your body isn't flat?

[rubberstampingflowers]

Elevating bed/head: excellent suggestion for GERD!  We put my mother's bed on bricks at the head end for her reflux and it worked like a charm for her before we went to a hospital bed that could be raised electrically!  I have had a free flotation waterbed for 38 years which I still love!  Can't raise the head of the bed because the water levels itself out even if it was practical with the weight of the bed! 

I've tried my recliner too - occasionally can get a nap there but not a good night's rest. Never could sleep at the hemo center in them either!

I have a thin pillow wedge - cheap one out of mail order catalog.  It helps even though it sinks into the bed too, however I sleep on my side and it kind of turns me into a pretzel and makes my back hurt. 
I'm thinking about getting a firmer angle wedge for those nights I can't lay flat.  Does anyone have a source for them?  My office has medical catalogs where I could look for a plastic coated wedge but the name medical attached to anything means "double or triple the price"!

Thanks for your suggestions!

[jeannea]

Aren't those pillow wedges advertised on late late night tv? Try googling as seen on tv and pillow or pillow wedge.