My mother used to say, "When it rains, it pours."
I don't have to worry about dementia for awhile, as I told you in yesterday's entry; but wouldn't you know, I woke up with terrible acid reflux at 1 AM. I have been having a little trouble with that lately, again. Two years ago, I had an endoscopy done because I had terrific stomach pain; the doctor really didn't seem to find a particular cause, but somehow the pain subsided. I didn't really care for the doctor who did the procedure. I never met him before the endoscopy, and he didn't seem all that friendly afterward.
I got over the tummy problem. I think I was supposed to go back in a year and have the test done again, but I felt fine (sounds like a man's excuse, doesn't it?). However, when I mentioned to nurse Samantha that I was having occasional problems with heartburn again, she told me I need to go see my specialist.
This time the problem isn't in my stomach. I know this pain ALL too well; it's pure, unadulterated acid reflux. I had a bleeding ulcer in my esophagus about forty years ago, and this is that same pain. So far I don't seem to have any bleeding (I assume you all know how one finds that out), but I got the same doctor's number this morning and called for an appointment. He was one of several doctors at that practice; I was told he had moved on (yay). The lady looked for another doctor with the nearest available appointment slot and found one who can do my procedure Friday... day after tomorrow. Great! Get this over with, I say.
When I woke up last night, I came to the living room recliner as miserable as I could be; had the pain been from some other cause, I'd have awakened Cliff and gone to an emergency room. It didn't go away, but it eased enough that I went back to sleep in the recliner until 5 AM. I had a dental appointment at noon today, but called and cancelled it. I just don't feel like keeping it.
So far this week we've gone to the doctor, cancelled the dentist, and made an appointment to have a procedure done tomorrow. Oh yes, and we paid $325 to have our septic tank emptied yesterday. I guess that stimulus money is good for something, but the dentist may have to wait until next month. I need my own secretary to keep track of our appointments around here.
What a pitiful, woe-is-me entry this is. A better day is coming.
I have GERD, Gastro Esophogeal Reflux disease, AKA severe acid reflux, a hiatal hernia and have taken meds for it for years, but it's getting worse and the medication doesn't seem to work as well as it did in the past. I have a feeling I'll be having an endoscopy soon myself. I hope you get some relief soon. I know that pain all to well.
ReplyDeleteExactly. At the beginning, Omeprazole worked wonders. I never liked taking it because it wasn't made to take over a month, but half the people I talk to are taking it. It just doesn't always do the job for me any more.
DeleteOmeprazole works fine for me. My doctor didn't want me taking Tums or Rolaids. He told me to get Omeprazole and take it every morning before eating anything.
DeleteSo sorry you are having such a tough go of it. Have you tried to raise the head of your bed or tried sleeping on two pillows? I was never diagnosed with GERD but did have a problem with a raspy throat a few years ago from I guess reflux. The extra pillows did work well.
ReplyDeleteHope your new doctor finds a way to provide you with relief.
I've done everything you can find on the Internet. The head of our bed has been raised for a couple of years. I don't drink coffee any more. I've made several changes, and get by fine most of the time. It's just one of those things that crops up once in awhile.
DeleteMy son in law elevated my headboard too.
Delete:-( I'm so sorry your acid reflux has reared its ugly head again, Donna. Can you attribute it to any foods or drinks? I'll tell you what gives me horrendous acid reflux... brewed coffee if I drink it too many days in a row (I usually drink instant), diet soda, and oh-my-gawd Crystal Light or any other drink mix with citric acid in it.... eats my stomach up and causes massive reflux!! Oh and nuts too... peanuts, cashews, almonds, nuts in general. *ouch* My son has totally awful acid reflux and I keep telling him that too much consistent acid reflux causes cancer but he won't listen to me. His is caused by alcohol consumption and we won't even go there, on that subject!!!! :-( I hope you can pinpoint what's causing yours. I'll be praying for you. ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteI totally quit coffee in 2019 after having a round of acid reflux. We also raised the head of our bed 7 inches, which is supposed to help. I don't touch any alcohol nowadays. And chips! Potato chips, corn chips... they hurt me. I've never had a problem with nuts. Yes, alcohol will do that for sure.
DeleteI have had gerd and acid problems and have given up so many things but after so many years my acid is controlled now by align probiotic only and the seniors from my senior group told me how many of them are drinking a brand of low acid coffee called simpatico.i ordered a bag online of decalf low acid coffee.it is good but we only use 1/4;0f the amount in our 4 cup and it’s delicious never thought I would ever drink coffee again. Have you tried charcoal tablets .years ago I took them and I again brought them for when I have a flare up.
ReplyDeleteI think quitting coffee was probably good for me in the long run, and I no longer miss it. I haven't really tried anything except what my doctors suggest.
DeleteThat sounds miserable. Hope they can figure out what's wrong and a solution. I would hate giving up coffee. :(
ReplyDeleteI pretty much know what's wrong. I'm supposed to get one of these procedures every year, because reflux is dangerous. The omeprazole they give me works... until it doesn't. Then they double it... then that doesn't work. This can lead to Barrett's esophagus and/or cancer. I just hope there's something else I can take for it, but my regular doctor has gone as far as she can go.
DeleteAs my mom always would say, sometimes when it rains, it pours.
ReplyDeleteI do hope this new doctor is better than the last. You do need to get some relief. Thankfully nothing has bothered my tummy to this point and you can tell it by the amount of food I eat too.
ReplyDeleteI had hoarseness since January,went to an ENT, and he suspected GERD, or reflux, even though I very very seldom get any kind of heart burn or stomach problems. I started taking the extra strength antacid 2 times a day as directed. I have had an upset stomach since I started the antacid plus now I have constipation (TMI!) and have a sick stomach all day every day, when I never had a problem with it before. Very aggravating.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to stop with the antacids, they are making me sick.
I hope you will feel better very soon. This past year has been tough I have had some extra crying spells this season too. Take care, I hope you have found a caring doctor, and may you get well soon.
Indeed! I was never one to cry much, but lately I cry at everything. I think the election and the pandemic damaged a lot of us.
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