My wedge is indispensable. Pillows stacked are just not enough. It is a solid set degree, but I have pillows added just for comfort, as the wedge is a hard foam of some sort. Before I had it, sleep, at any time, was a problem. Now, when I do sleep, it is a solid 6 hours or so, instead of a 2-hour waking-up gasping situation. It still happens at times, the weather seems to influence it, but not like before.