HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Does sleeping position matter with LPR?

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/4/2012 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I've been reading that LPR occurs independent of body position. I don't find mine is any better or worse at night. Do people with LPR still have to raise the bed or is that really for people with GERD.
Posted 12/5/2012 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Most people with LPR are upright refluxers, so raising the bed might be worse then lying in a regular flat position (with one pillow). Some with LPR have both upright and supine reflux and this type tends to be the most severe disease.

I am better lying flat but when I roll over or change position, I do reflux, so for me staying in one position through the night is essential. To do this I sleep in a recliner and put pillows as a barrier so that I do not move and then I move the recliner to more of a flatter position. I have not slept in a bed in 2 years!
Posted 12/5/2012 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
thegspeak,

I have asthma and my asthma doc (who is very well-informed about the effects of LPR) recommends that I continue to sleep with the head of my bed elevated.  I always sleep elevated.  My PCP is also a strong advocate.  A tiny amount of reflux can cause a lot of trouble. 

I don't think the fact that LPR sufferers have reflux while upright rules out reflux when lying flat.  Here is some information that you might find helpful:

http://www.nycornell.org/ent/Laryngopharyngeal.reflux.html

Good luck with your decision about sleep position.  Once you get used to sleeping with the head of your bed elevated you don't even notice it. In fact, lying flat seems strange and uncomfortable!

Take care,

Denise

Posted 12/5/2012 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
nobody talks about spouses? My husband would HATE it! Isn't it weird for the partner?
Posted 12/5/2012 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi thegspeak,

I guess it depends on your relationship and how much you're suffering.  My husband didn't love the idea, but he loved me, so he adjusted.  We've been sleeping like that for 15 years and we're still a loving couple.  Go figure.

It's an individual decision.  Only you know what's right for you.  It might be worth a try to see if it helps.  I'm sure your husband hates to see you suffering, and I suspect if he knew that having the flexibility to allow you to try an elevated bed for a while might help you get better, he'd probably be happy to go with it.

You could try a wedge under your pillow and body.  I used both, and found the elevated head of bed to be much better.

Hang in there!

Denise

Posted 2/14/2016 1:01 AM (GMT 0)

belljar1995 said...
Most people with LPR are upright refluxers, so raising the bed might be worse then lying in a regular flat position (with one pillow). Some with LPR have both upright and supine reflux and this type tends to be the most severe disease.

I am better lying flat but when I roll over or change position, I do reflux, so for me staying in one position through the night is essential. To do this I sleep in a recliner and put pillows as a barrier so that I do not move and then I move the recliner to more of a flatter position. I have not slept in a bed in 2 years!

belljar are you still around? I have reflux when I move, but I'm ok when I lie down on my back. So I have to sleep on my stomach but really mostly because that way I'm stuck in one position. Because this isn't a typical symptom I'm really doubting whether the Nissen the doctor prescribed me (meds no longer work) would be indicated for me and as you're one of the few who mention similar symptoms I'm really interested to know if something or surgery worked for you?
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply