Adjustable Beds or Wedge Pillows to Sleep in Elevated Position

[Diane C]

I'd seen this website months ago and just found it again. https://bedroom.solutions/best-adjustable-beds/ Offers a wonderful comparison of adustabble beds. I am seriously thinking of buying a new bed in 2020. Without my torso raised, I experience pancaking around my stoma -- and leaking under the wafer. I'm using rings, stomahesive strips, and buttressing the area of my abdomen that sinks in because the surgeon created my stoma over a scar that dives in and the abdominal area is not flat. And I use various tapes to square it off. Sometimes it works better than other times. I tend to get distended because of small intestine bacterial overgrowth so my ileostomy appliance can sometimes pop off after about 2 days.

I especially like that the authors discuss wall-hugging features so that when your torso is raised, you are still next to a table or other furniture near your bed. I hadn't considered this. I'm not thrilled with buying a hospital bed but the leakage is getting to me... Still working on that.

I saw a LARGE wedge pillow at Amazon and may try that first. Stacking pillows up behind me hasn't worked. I just slide down. If you've found a good wedge pillow, please do share.

Came across this wedge air pillow by Contour Living. Many positive reviews although somewhat costly. May be worth it. One can raise it 45 degrees and keep your own bed. Is 45 degrees enough? https://www.contourliving.com/mattress- ... ?revpage=3

Contour Living also manufactures this set which has many positive reviews: https://www.contourliving.com/backmax-f ... tMQAvD_BwE It's firm which is fine for me. Comes in 2 widths and one can put it on a bed, a floor, etc. The Deluxe 28 model comes with a lightweight, white fleece removable cover. Maybe one can place a waterproof liner underneath that.

Not sure this is worth the cost?! May be available elsewhere? Some reviews say it's uncomfortable. https://www.hammacher.com/products/supe ... MgQAvD_BwE


Wish I had ordered one of these before surgery!

Definitely takes practice getting used to an ileostomy compared to a colostomy. I'll conquer this issue but may need some experimentation and don't want to waste my money. Not a fan of the sleep number beds divided in the middle.

I sleep very well... usually am wiped out. I can sleep while upright. Perhaps a recliner is the answer but not sure I want that in my bedroom.

Any comments? Thanks! G'nite... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

[oliveoyl]

Hi Diane C
I use a foam wedge for all the reasons you mentioned. I put two pillows on the wedge longways and lay back in-between the pillows. They keep me in place during sleep. I put a pillow across the top of the two longways pillows, and rest my head on that. If you roll up a towel or a pillowcase and put it under you right where the tops of your legs and your bottom meet, that will keep you from sliding down. The output will run down to the bottom of the pouch while you sleep. Good night, sleep tight.

[jstl]

Have you looked at the Medcline wedge? It's marketed to people with acid reflux (I think it's called a 'reflux relief system') .

[lms1]

Hi Diane,

I’ve had an adjustable bed for years and could no longer imagine being without one. I’ve never had the frame fail to date, but I’m on my fourth mattress in 25 years. I started with an Electropedic frame. They were one of the first manufacturers out there in the non hospital bed adjustable beds. I still have that frame in my guest bedroom. I had a Leggett and Platt after that which was great as well. I changed to a Tempurepedic bed with their adjustable frame several years ago. I hated the mattress and used the 90 day return feature but had to keep the frame. It still works well. I have several types of bed wedges that I take when I travel. They do not compare to an adjustable bed, IMO.

Good Luck,

Linda

[Diane C]

Many thanks to all! In the future, am definitely buying a new bed. Just ret'd from major surgery on Tuesday and in no shape to go shopping and must order online. Will update you in another thread soon. Still on painkillers (can't tolerate the Rx ones -- cause nausea) and hoping the pain diminishes soon.

Grateful for the wedge pillow advice. No, had not heard of that brand and will investigate. Do others know the names of brands they bought? Don't want a wedge that's hard as a rock but want a comfy one that stays up and promotes rest. I just saw this at Wayfair on sale with mixed reviews. Some come in the mail decompressed and never expand to full size. https://www.wayfair.com/bed-bath/pdp/ar ... html?piid=

Making decision today! So necessary!

Appreciate!

[Diane C]

jsti,

Thanks for the info about the pillow to help with acid reflux. https://shop.sleepscore.com/products/me ... ec16&_ss=r I need to check again exactly how high this pillow lifts the upper torso. Ever since surgery to create an ileostomy, that's gotten worse and I don't understand it unless it has something to do with my small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Rather unsettling and I even think it may be affecting my left ear. It burns and I'll have a doctor check for an infection which I've never had. Hmmm.

The pillow you posted about is advantageous because it allows you to easily sleep on your side. It's got a pretty hefty price tag though. I wonder if doctors can prescribe it... I know it's not covered my Medicare or insurance but IF you have enough medical deductions, one could claim it as a deduction if a physician verified that it was medically necessary. Maybe the same for a bed...

I need to get a better look. The more important issue is pancaking under my ileostomy barrier which then can cause leakage. I'm doing better with that and trying different products. But the pancaking remains and the real point of the wedge or other pillow is to help the stool move down the pouch. Yes, I'm using Brava's Deo and Lubrricating product. I think it's too slippery as it can leak out of the pouch if there's a clip holding it shut.I prefer clips to velcro closures which I find get dirty more easily and seem harder for me to empty. The spouts on high-output pouches work best for me but can be high-profile.

Still researching and may just try a less costly wedge pillow ASAP to experiment with. Still want that bed...

Thank you.

[Nann-55]

Hi Diane, I bought a new bed in 2019 from a small business that I’ve done business before. I did a lot of bed detective work until I decided on my current new bed. I bought a Sterns and Foster extra firm adjustable bed. My old bed was 13 years old which I bought from this small business. The legs and head are adjustable and I love it. At first I didn’t know if I could tolerate the extra firm cause my old bed was so soft due to its age. Well I put a good quality memory foam on top of the new matress and it helped. It took me about 4 to 5 weeks to get use to it. I now love it. I sleep on my back or right side . With a push of a button I can adjust the head of my bed to my comfort. My bed height is fairly tall because I’m tall. Let me know if you want further info on the bed I purchased, happy to help. I have a ileostomy. If you can seek out a WOCN to help you with the issues you are having. Probably can’t do that due to the Covid virus going on ,hang in there there you’ll be in my thoughts.

Nan

[Diane C]

Thanks, Nan,

Well, I had to buy 2 new toilets. What a relief! They were on their last legs before surgery. Never knew that buying a new toilet would be less than buying (finding?!) parts for the 1987 tank.

After I get my placed cleaned and organized (by me), I'll definitely be looking at beds. Thanks so much for telling me about the one you bought. I do like firm and always have but my Hollister high-out pouches aren't doing the job. Switching to either Coloplast again or Convatec but I DO want to buy a bed. Kind of difficult as I'm single and there are stairs in here and outside my condo. Delivery and set-up will probably add to the cost but probably worth it.

Many thanks!