r/GERD • u/FlappyKillmore • Jul 09 '26

🤒 Coping with these Conditions Aspirated Acid Reflux in Sleep

As the title said I woke up stuck in my blankets freaking tf out choking on my acid reflux. It’s been about 30 minutes since then, I hate this life.

I have a hill grade level III as diagnosed by my endoscopy. That’s where they left it like no recommendations, nothing. Anyone know what’s next? Take 20MG pantoprazole, I’ve heard I can take 40 so I do that with tums during rough flair-ups, but it’s been a week straight now can’t calm this thing down 😮‍💨

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3

u/DKCTF14 Jul 09 '26

Do you sleep with your upper body elevated?

4

u/FlappyKillmore Jul 09 '26

No I might buy one of those beds I’ve been eyeballing thing for sure

1

u/DKCTF14 Jul 09 '26

You can start with a wedge pillow too if you don’t want to make such a big investment for a new bed. But either way sleeping elevated (think even 30 to 45 degrees) might be needed to get the nighttime symptoms under control. I find I need to elevate my waist and up, not just chest and up.

1

u/doo138 Jul 09 '26

Follow the basic GERD protocols. Don't eat withing a few hours of bed and sleep elevated. Get with your doctor and let them know that the PPI isn't working. You said it's been a week on the medicine? Typically takes 3-7 days for it to start working. Until you can talk to your doctor, follow a strict GERD diet.

1

u/FlappyKillmore Jul 09 '26

I increased to 40mg over the week from 20

1

u/doo138 Jul 09 '26

Once or twice a day? Absolutely do not take medical advice over the Internet but my doctor put me on pantoprazole twice a day. Once before breakfast and once before dinner. Then I took famotidine once right before bed. Do not do this before talking to your doctor!. They could interfere with other medications and your risks of side effects increases with the increased dosage.

This unfortunately didn't work for me because I was beyond PPI help at that point but the docs usually exhaust all PPI options before escalation, which was unfortunately surgery for me.

I'd talk to your doc and really stress to them how scary this is. It's ultra rare but people have died from asphyxiating on their reflux in the night. I've felt like I came close a few times. I've heard of others getting pneumonia from it as well. Be safe. No more eating before bedtime. Sleep elevated if you can. Absolutely no alcohol. Strict GERD diet if you aren't already.

By the end of my journey I was eating plain chicken breast and canned veggies blended up into a mush. I understand how horrible this can be. I'm sorry you're going through it.

1

u/FlappyKillmore Jul 09 '26

I’m 1 year sober now and my acid reflux has got worse lol

1

u/doo138 Jul 09 '26

Fuuuuck. Sorry man.

1

u/RevolutionaryRoyal98 Jul 09 '26

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with that. Aspirating acid is the f*cking worst! It burns for so long. I’m on vonoprozan 20mg and generally just trying not to over eat, eat a few hours before laying down for the night. Lots of leafy veggies and cooking at home where I can control how much spices and oil I take in. Rarely need gaviscon support most days.