Visiting Relatives

I am visiting relatives for the holidays for 2 weeks in December. For me a few days of sleeping flat and hating it is ok, but 2 weeks is just too much. If I remember their bed has wheels on the bottom (so I cant raise it), and they are older and probably all worried about me breaking the bed if I raise it and what not.

They are generally ok with me eating my own food, although they are pretty insensitive in so far as repeatedly asking me to eat other stuff every single day I am there, even when they know well about my condition. I really don't want to go AT ALL but they are the congregation point for my family this holidays so it is out of my hands, that is where we are all going.

I am hating the thought of 2 weeks there with people who are insensitive about the condition, and kind of "old fogies" who will freak out if I raise the bed, thinking that I am going to break it.

Any advice? I hate travelling w/ GERD, but at least in a hotel you can raise the bed (I always find a way, somehow), and not put up with people bothering you about what you are eating. I just hope I can figure out a way to sleep comfortably while I am there.

Hi ARM,

Our bedframe has wheels on it, and I still raise it.  I've used blocks of wood, but the bed raisers that they sell at places like Bed Bath and Beyond have a nice little recessed place at the top that is very stable for bed legs with wheels.  Really, we have no trouble at all putting up the bed, wheels and all.

I understand your concern regarding two weeks of flat sleeping.  Do you have a wedge?  You can buy them at any medical supply company, and they can work pretty well as a substitute for your raised bed.  You can even supplement with pillows if need by.  It's not as comfortable as a raised head of bed, but it should do the trick for a temporary visit.

Good luck!

Denise

I understand your concerns, I don't like to stay with people or in a motel because of not being able to sleep all night. I wake up every night and need to sit straight up for an hour or two to get back to sleep. If there is carpet on the floor I will sit against a wall or the foot of the bed. Sometimes I sleep the rest of the night on the floor as I can go back to sleep on the floor but not in the bed. If they have a recliner chair you might ask if you could sleep in the recliner or if you could move to the recliner during the night.

Losing control of my diet is also a problem for me. The food has too much fat, too much tomato sauce, or dinner it too late for me to sleep. I am to the place that I don't want to travel because of the sleeping and eating problems. Good luck with your trip.