In general, an alarm will only go off for about an hour (if it's the digital kind - or as long as it takes to wind down for the analog, which is usually way less). It is entirely possible to sleep through a buzzing alarm for an hour. This is a fact that I am intimately aquainted with. In university, I had to keep three alarms so I could switch from one sound to the other as once I got used to the sound of one, it wouldn't even show up in my dreams.
I always thought they should make an alarm with about a half a dozen random bleeps and buzzers going off in sort of a shuffle mode.
I have heard that a handful of raw almonds every day is good for acid reflux. Even if it doesn't work, it's pretty delicious.
xxx.g.

Or a rubber mallet on a string. **thwok** Wake up!

I found myself sleeping through the alarm the other day and I was dreaming about one of those trucks that beeps when it is backing up... I woke an hour later and it was STILL going off!

Sorry about the reflux... the same thing happens to me. I'm finding that when it really kicks in I have to cut back on the coffee. I'm usually okay switching to tea for a few days -- but I have to take the Rx stuff when it really kicks up.

I'm excited to see your book!

i sleep through my alarm all the time -- especially when i stay up past 5am and hte alarm is set for 7...on those days (like today) i get up at 10am and stumble in to work after 11... luckily i have flexibility with my schedule. trying to complete a thesis and work and still make time for creative acts of madness (or is it mad acts of creativity?) on top of maintaining relationship/home/pets is trying...

i have to recommend daily yoga -- not from experience, but when i do make time to stretch and breathe i feel 1000x better. well, at least 100x better. i'd stay away from mallets to the head...