Pulmonary Fibrosis News Forums Forums PF Communities PF Life: 50+ Elevated sleeping position

  • Elevated sleeping position

    Posted by Charlene Marshall on February 1, 2025 at 10:00 am

    Quality sleep for a patient with a chronic illness, such as IPF, is an important part of our mental and physical wellness. There have been many conversations on this forum in the past about how to improve sleep for those living with IPF.

    How many folks on this forum sleep with their head elevated by multiple pillows or something else, like a foam wedge?

    Please share whether you prefer to sleep with your head elevated or flat, and whether you noticed a difference in your sleep quality after changing your sleeping position.

    I’d love to hear from you!

    Debra Lowder replied 1 day, 20 hours ago 13 Members · 12 Replies
  • 12 Replies
  • JLR

    Member
    February 4, 2025 at 3:02 am

    Hello Charlene hope things are going well for you. I like to sleep on my left side with my upper body hugging an extra long pillow. I get my best sleep in that position but it only lasts for 2 to 3 hours. The rest of the time is spent tossing and turning with no good quality sleep.

    Take Care

    Jeff

  • Norman Beattie

    Member
    February 4, 2025 at 1:29 pm

    I use an elevated bed but I also have a wedge for use when we travel. Even with the adjusted position comfortable sleep is hard to come by and in very short durations. Constantly toss and turning even with the use of oxygen.

    Would love to hear from others that have had IPF for a few years what they are doing to get a GOOD nights sleep

    Norm

  • John K

    Member
    February 4, 2025 at 1:37 pm

    Hi Charlene,

    I have mild fibrosis along with severe asthma and severe GERD. I was told to elevate my bed for both symptoms. Based on some recommendations I purchased a 7” wedge to put between my mattress and box. I felt and actually ended up half way down the bed due to the angle and couldn’t stop sliding down. I raised the bottom of my bed 2” to make a 5” wedge. I still didn’t like it and I developed neck pain. So I removed everything and put a 2.5” blocks on the front bed footers and can deal with it. Regardless of the angles I tried I have no GERD symptoms and I don’t know if it’s helping my lungs but can’t see why it wouldn’t. My recommendation is to start with a small angle (2”) and work yourself up to a higher angle if needed. Good luck

  • jonathan-poland

    Member
    February 4, 2025 at 2:15 pm

    This is an increasing concern for me. Because I sleep with oxygen, and consequently breathe exclusively through my nose, I sleep on my side. I can’t get comfortable sleeping on my stomach and when on my back I shift to mouth-breathing. And, I can’t find a way to get comfortable on my side with a wedge or stack of pillows. When I’m congested I move to the recliner that is next to my bed. Or, like last night, I started in the recliner and shifted to the bed after 4 hours.

    Does anyone sleep with pillows and/or a wedge while on their side? Can you share tips that would help me make it work? I would love to get a solid night’s sleep!

    Thanks,

    Jon

  • Donna

    Member
    February 4, 2025 at 2:41 pm

    My very first visit to the Pulmonary Dr. he told us to elevate the bed. I also, feel better with at least pillows. I had a hip replacement in August and still find it hard sleeping on my side. I put a pillow and prop it under my back so I am not totally flat. Sleeping is not an easy thing anymore like it verbally was. Diagnosed going on 8 years now. I go tomorrow for a 6 month checkup.

  • Libby

    Member
    February 4, 2025 at 3:41 pm

    I have slept in an elevated position for many years, way before getting an ILD. It helps prevent acid reflux and definitely helps with my post nasal drip. My new pulmonologist confirmed that he thinks it’s very important. My method is to find a reasonably flat pillow to “start the incline”…I found a memory foam one on Amazon that is only about 2 ” thick. If I am on too steep an incline, my lower back will hurt in the morning. So the thin pillow goes under my low and mid back. Then a normal pillow (but not too big) under my shoulders with a small memory foam on top of that to cradle my head. I think it takes a lot of trial and error to find the right combination of pillows, but I like it much more than a stiff wedge. Plus I can take a couple of small pillows when we travel and can usually come up with something comfortable.

  • Harletta Carathel

    Member
    February 5, 2025 at 9:48 am

    My doctor has told me to sleep in an elevated position to prevent GERD, not for breathing purposes But i sleep on my right side on a wedge pillow because my left lung is more damaged and this position enables blood to flow to my best lung better But during night I have to change position to my stomach for a while to be comfortable but then the chance of GERD happens.

    Sleeping position is a problem!

  • sjslns493

    Member
    February 5, 2025 at 10:30 am

    Hello, Charlene,

    I have to sleep elevated with a foam wedge I am unable to sleep flat due to I

    wake up choking. So I have to lay up while I sleep. Wish I could sleep flat.

  • grammy

    Member
    February 5, 2025 at 11:35 am

    My husband & I both have reflux so we started using a small wedge under our mattress a long time ago. Only a couple of inches. Now I have PF and am O2 continuously. I have arthritis in my neck so I sleep with one of those travel pillows around my neck to keep it in good position. I also have a flat pillow which I pull down & put another on top which props my head up higher. I sleep on my side or back. But I have read a book about breathing for exercising which said they have found you get the more O2 when you breath through your nose. They suggested you use paper tape to keep your mouth close to force you to breathe through your nose at night. I have started doing this & it has helped a lot.

  • Charlene Beck

    Member
    February 7, 2025 at 7:12 pm

    I have never heard to sleep elevated? I have an awful wet type productive cough at night and am told I have post nasal drip? I cough a lot and use oxy at night and sleep is restless and disrupted every few hours. Any input most welcome. I am single and feel a bit lost and lonely…. would love to talk w someone on occasion about IPF. I feel naive yet have had dx since 2020 appx.

    I walk daily and am on Ofev bid. No side effects. 3 family members died w IPF. thank you for listening

    /char in New mex

  • Samuel Kirton

    Member
    February 7, 2025 at 7:25 pm

    Hi Charlene,

    How is my favorite moderator here in the PF Forums? Prior to my transplant, I had to sleep elevated. I started out with a wedge pillow being enough. Ultimately my wife and purchased a split king adjustable bed. I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea so I slept each night with the mask/hose combination with a side of oxygen tubing to keep my saturation levels up. The adjustable did help me. I would also raise my feet slightly which kept me on my back which in turn kept the CPAP and oxygen connected.

    Sam…

  • Debra Lowder

    Member
    February 8, 2025 at 9:25 am

    Invest in a sleep number bed (or any bed with the elevation option). It’s well worth it. That way you can adjust throughout the night as needed with a touch of a button. Also, I find that a Gabapinton and melatonin help tremendously. I still don’t sleep completely through the night, but I only wake up once for a bathroom visit. Then I shift sides and go right back to sleep. After I exercise in the morning, I find that I have to nap for about 30 minutes in the afternoon, and I don’t feel at all guilty. I’ve also lost 25 pounds which has improved my sleep. I need O2 at night and with exertion. I was diagnosed with IPF five years ago and have been on pirfinadone from the beginning. It’s as good as it’s going to be for now. Pulmonologist says I have at least 2 maybe 3 more “good ” years left, providing I don’t get an exacerbating event. Just keep getting all those vaccines that are available for those of us who are vulnerable. Be grateful for every day and every blessing. 🙏

    Debra Lowder

Log in to reply.