In the last year or so Art suddenly developed Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease or LPR. It's when stomach acid travels up your throat. It's annoying for him and he's under some medication. It may be hereditary since his sister also suffers from this.
It is recommended that he eat smaller meals and stay upright for three hours after a meal. It's also helpful to use a wedge at bedtime.
Tiffany sent this wedge but it's a little hard and not quite as high as Art would like. Therefore he's been using an extra pillow over the wedge and another one to raise his head up a little higher. The only problem is that the pillow is not quite wide enough.
We went to Walmart just because I don't know where I can find reasonably priced material around our area.
They had a good selection for us to choose from. We got 1 5/8 yards of this slightly thicker, but soft material. It fit perfectly on the wedge.
I also bought this four pound bag of non-allergenic, polyester fiberfill. I created channels in the pillow so the filling would not move around too much. I had Art lie down on it until he was satisfied with the amount of fiberfill I put into each channel. I ended up using the entire bag. Once he was happy with the feel, I sewed up the ends.
And finally, I made a cover for it. I bought 2 yards of this soft, sturdy material that Art chose.
I tried lying down on it too and it's very comfortable.
Art really likes it, but it is a bit strange to have to always look up at him now.
Something like this would never work for me since I sleep on my stomach. This might bring me to another post someday about sheet marks on my face...
Tiffany sent this wedge but it's a little hard and not quite as high as Art would like. Therefore he's been using an extra pillow over the wedge and another one to raise his head up a little higher. The only problem is that the pillow is not quite wide enough.
We went to Walmart just because I don't know where I can find reasonably priced material around our area.
They had a good selection for us to choose from. We got 1 5/8 yards of this slightly thicker, but soft material. It fit perfectly on the wedge.
I also bought this four pound bag of non-allergenic, polyester fiberfill. I created channels in the pillow so the filling would not move around too much. I had Art lie down on it until he was satisfied with the amount of fiberfill I put into each channel. I ended up using the entire bag. Once he was happy with the feel, I sewed up the ends.
And finally, I made a cover for it. I bought 2 yards of this soft, sturdy material that Art chose.
I tried lying down on it too and it's very comfortable.
Art really likes it, but it is a bit strange to have to always look up at him now.
Something like this would never work for me since I sleep on my stomach. This might bring me to another post someday about sheet marks on my face...
I suffer from GERD, which is acid reflux disease, also. I take omeprazole for it and it works. However, I just sleep with a regular pillow, nothing as high as Art's wedge, and it is adequate for me. Most of the time, I sleep on my back, sometimes on my side. Good luck to Art!
ReplyDeleteOh my, you have created a pillow for acid reflux sufferers, you are so clever!
ReplyDeleteNow, will I be able to do the same thing for my husband? By creating channels on the pillow, does that mean you used a sewing machine and stitched that fabric and put in the fiberfill?
You have done a great job. You ought to patent this and sell them, Kay!
(You know it's me, I am always telling you what to do!) xx
Yes, that's exactly what I did. It really wasn't very hard at all. The channels in the pillow keep the stuffing where you want them.
DeleteSorry to hear this condition is troubling you, Art. It's no fun, I know.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job here, Kay. I'm sure Art looks up to you even as he is looking down.
sorry to hear of Arts problem, my husband has that, we put blocks under the front feet of the bed, it raises the whole bed up, I don't mind, although, if one had a preference for slippery sheets you could end up on the floor, I like your invention very much!
ReplyDeleteMy husband has acid reflux, he takes losec, I think its called. I wish i could sew like that Kay, it looks perfect.
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever! I sleep on my sides, rarely on my back, so this wouldn't work for me, either. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is fighting this. He doesn't drink. Loves his coke, but this gives him acid reflux. It is so hard to watch. I think it's all in your diet. But then, his cat keeps throwing up, too! sigh
ReplyDeleteVery smart!
ReplyDeleteClever. There is a market for this, I am sure. I sleep on my stomach and always have, try as I might to break the habit. I know all about the sheet wrinkled morning face.
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing seamstress, Kay! Yep, you should patent the channeled pillow idea. I'm sure you've saved money. As a comparison, one CVS in my area sells wedges, but in different thicknesses for $40 each! Other than Art avoiding sake after dinner, you may have to resort to Velcro on the back of his t-shirt and the new pillow to keep him upright! DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteYou inspire me. My mother's sewing machine is buried in the back of my closet. It's old & will need to have a check up at a sewing machine repair place but it should sew fine. Then I could do clever things like you do.
ReplyDeleteclever idea
ReplyDeleteWell done, Kay.
ReplyDeleteHow clever you are!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever and I don't know how you find the time to do so many things. I too suffer from LRD, so my sympathies to Art. Dianne
ReplyDeleteMy husband has GERD too and has had two failed nissen fundoplication surgeries (first one loosened so the same surgeon went back in to fix it but couldn't do much). Now he still takes omeprazole (1/2 tablet) daily. His doctor said taking it daily that way is fine. He also has back problems where lying flat on his back is the most painful so he was sleeping in his recliner every night. I insisted we look for one of those "hospital beds" and after a long search to many stores, finally found one at America's Mattress. The salesperson who no longer works there, in fact the store located above Sam's in Pearl City is no longer there either, was excellent and ordered to specifications a twin XL to match the height and length of the twin adjustable bed so side by side it would be a king size bed (she said for cuddling lol) We highly recommend her but was sad to find out later when visiting the store that she had moved to the mainland after her daughter graduated. She gave us top notch service and was absolutely knowledgeable. The Serta beds are made in Hawaii and the adjustable frame is Leggett and Platt which seems why the beds are able to be custom made. It's been 3 years since we bought the beds and husband very much loves it. He even likes the vibration feature which shakes my bed in rhythm too
ReplyDeleteL...w
This is very interesting. Art often takes his afternoon naps in his Stressless chair. Thank you for the information because we may have to get something like that later.
DeleteI knew that sewing machine would come into its own eventually! What a great piece of kit you've rigged up between you. I can't imagine sleeping on my stomach, too hard on my neck.
ReplyDeleteYou are smart and ingenious. I am sure such a pillow would have cost a lot of money pre-made. I no nothing about Gerd except that a restrictive diet helps.
ReplyDeleteWell done. You might be able to market that. Shall we look for you on Shark Tank??
ReplyDeleteShark Tank?
DeleteBoy, you two are so good. I just don't eat acid food. I cannot imagine not curling up next to G.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed. Kay you are ingenious. I agree with everyone else who said there is a market for this. Mostly, I'm glad this is working for Art. I have GERD and acid reflux also. I am trying very hard to not have anything at all to eat or drink for three hours before bed. I don't think I could sleep on this elevated surface. I am a side sleeper.
ReplyDeleteI may just think about making something similar for me though. First, I have fix my sewing machine, or buy a new one. It has sat idle for so many years that it is not working. I found out it will cost $160 to fix it. I think I paid $150 for it 30 years ago. I'm thinking it would be cheaper to buy a new one, but I never sew anymore, so I guess I'll just order a pillow from you. ;)
I wish you lived next door, Sally. I could help you make one. :-)
DeleteI wonder, does it stop snoring? If so I think we will buy two ;)
ReplyDeleteNOPE! It definitely didn't stop his snoring, that's for sure.
DeleteThe best pillows I have ever found are the ones from Dragon Mama in downtown Hilo. They are filled with buckwheat hulls. They are so comfortable and cool and really support my neck and shoulders. You've probably slept on pillows like this in Japan. And they are very pretty, too. I used to get that acid reflux sometimes but not lately. I think the pillows help. If you want I'll order you a pillow and have it sent to you.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dragonmama.com/
Something that works for a postnasal drip might help, if you don't have access to Art's fancy new pillow (well done, Kay!), e.g. when you're away: put a pillow under the mattress at the top of the bed. It will raise him.
ReplyDeleteGoodness I had forgotten about this since I didn't think it applied to me at the time. I too had trouble with the two pillows as they kept separating. Your idea would work had I remembered this post. Instead, I have raised the head of the bed on blocks which is working better.
ReplyDeleteShark Tank is a TV show where people present their inventions to rich people to get backing.