I need prayers and encouragement!!!! I'm very frustrated today!

[shell in SC]

Some of you might know that I have been having serious reflux/indigestion for the past few weeks. Diet and medication really isn't keeping it under control.

I had an endoscopy yesterday and they found a small hiatal hernia and the area was very inflamed. I was still under sedation when the dr. came in after the procedure to tell us what he found so he spoke with dh. The dr. told dh this and said to keep taking the nexuim twice a day (even though he knows it's not helping) and to come back in 2 weeks (the appt is set for 4/21). That's it. . .bottom line. . .I still have reflux that isn't controlled by diet and medication. This has been going on since the week before easter, and my spirits keep falling the longer this goes on without any relief.

There are a few foods that I can eat that keep the reflux bearable. Bananas being the main one, I have never been a big fan of them to begin with so eating two a day has not been fun. They are finally getting the best of me though b/c today it was all I could do to get it down without gagging (not b/c of the reflux, but b/c I dislike them so much).

I'm guess my problem is that I'm just sick of this and frustrated that I can't get decent treatment. I'm moody b/c I can't sleep or eat anything enjoyable and I'm sitting here at my cubicle at work crying as I write this. DH hasn't been much of an encouragement lately b/c he's got many things going on at work. Yesterday as soon as he dropped me off at the house he went back to work and didn't get home till about 10, today I tried to call him to cheer me up and he said he couldn't talk he was busy. So Moody Michelle is quietly crying uncontrollably hoping that no one walks in and sees me like this. I need encouragement and prayer!

Thanks!
shell

[elegantlion]

:grouphug: Big hugs! It sucks to cry alone. I do hope they are able to find you some alternatives, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Sharon in SC]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this, Michelle. Dh takes Nexium regularly for reflux so, while I don't have firsthand experience, I do have an idea of how debilitating this can be. I have prayed for you and will continue to do so as the Lord brings you to my mind! The only other thought I have is - have you thought about getting a second opinion on treatment options if your current physician isn't offering you anything more or different?

[WTMindy]

Praying for you now! :grouphug:

[shell in SC]

Thanks for your prayers! I am looking at getting a second opinion, just not sure who to go to for that. I just can't believe the callousness of medical professionals when you tell them that you can't eat and you're losing weight. I haven't really met one person yet that's been genuinely concerned about it, I think that's what frustrates me the most! Anyway,
thanks again ladies!

shell

[JudoMom]

:grouphug:. I'm sorry. That really stinks. I hope you are able to get some answers soon. It sounds miserable.

[Anne]

Shell,

Are they planning on repairing the hernia in two weeks?

You might consider calling your doctor's office and talking with him or his nurse directly again. Tell them exactly what you've told us. Maybe there's something else they could do.

Hang in there!

Anne

[KidsHappen]

I know what it is like to have medical problems that the Dr. basically says there is nothing we can do for you. Learn to manage it on your own. Now keep in mind that I am not a Dr. but here are some things that I have found on the internet. You can take a few different things at one time. There are three different classes of meds that you can take at one time:

They are PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) - examples are:Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and Protonix.

Then meds that heal the damage already done: Zantac, Pepcid and Tagamet.

Finally, an over the counter antacid: either Pepto Bismal, Malox (sp?) or Mylanta.

If you are having burning in your throat I find that numbing throat lozenges help.

You should not be having to cut back your diet that severely. The major problem foods are coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, milk, chocolate, citrus foods, tomatoes, mints and greasy, fatty foods.

There are a few foods that are actually soothing to the stomach: oatmeal, apples, breads and crackers, rice, baked potatoes, and other carbohydrates that soak up excess acids. Here is a link to get you started: http://heartburn.about.com/cs/dietfood/a/heartburnfoods1.htm

Of course, sleep with your head elevated. I find that hot baths relax me and lessen the pain. Sometimes sitting scrunched up makes the pain worse. Make sure that you have the pain meds that you need. Complain until you get them and if your dr. won't prescribe ask for a referral to a pain clinic. Also exercise (especially yoga) is supposed to help. I know that it is hard when you are in pain but if you can do a little it is supposed to make a big difference. I haven't started this yet so I don't really know.

Once again, I am so sorry that you are going through this. Good luck figuring this out and starting to heal.

[shell in SC]

Hi Anne, Good question. I just called to ask them what that appt was for. I didn't think that they would treat it then b/c I didn't get any kind of prep instructions. I was right. The appt in 2 weeks is just a follow up to see how the 40 mg of nexium twice a day is working for me. That's my treatment right now. I did tell the nurse that this isn't working, she said I'd need to discuss that with him at my appt. Didn't feel like pushinig it b/c I'm so frustrated now that I'm a thin mint away from crying again. This dr. seems to think that this "treatment" is a cure-all. . .funny that I don't see anything online about an overdose (standard dosing is 40 mg once a day) of Nexium actually being theraputic.

[Angel]

My cousin was dealing with this last summer. She, too, lost weight and was eating next to nothing with the blandest things she could find. On a longshot I'll tell you what has helped her. They removed her gallbladder to start with, it helped some but was not a complete cure. They then put her on medication for her irritable bowel. If I remember correctly, the irritable bowel was somehow related to the reflux. That medicine has been working wonderful. I cannot remember if she still takes medication for the reflux, along with the irritable bowel. She is now mostly back to normal and has gained weight.

I just wanted to share this with you on the rare occasion that it might be of some help. I know how worried my cousin was with how she was feeling and then doing so many of the normal routes to get relief and none of it working. They even had her on an anti-depressant for a while to get her stress level down so it wouldn't exacerbate the reflux or the irritable bowel.

Hope you find some relief.

Angel

[Sharon in SC]

Michelle,
Here are some things I can recommend to you. You may already be doing some of them but just in case....

1) Put your bed on a slant. This does not mean elevate your head only (ie with pillows or the like) 'cause that would only increase your abdominal pressure. Place cinder blocks (one on each side of your bed) under the head of your bed so that your whole body will rest on a slant.
2) Do not eat anything within 3 hours of going to bed
3) Do not drink any caffeinated beverages or coffee, even if it is decaffeinated; Do not eat any chocolate
4) Be sure to take your Nexium on an empty stomach
5) Take Gaviscon after every meal and at bedtime

I hope something in this will help you. Keep us posted on how you're doing, OK?
Blessings,
Sharon

[huntergirlnc21]

I truly feel for you and my prayers are with you. A few years ago, I was in a similar situation as you (however, my endoscopy came back without any major issues). My gallbladder was already out, so we knew that wasn't it. Went on for at least 3 months. I was completely frustrated with my doc, who also had me on 80 mg of Nexium a day, bland diet, head of bed elevated, etc., etc., but nothing made any difference. It was a daily struggle and like you, I spent some days in tears (especially the nights, they were the worst). The only thing that helped me was The Maker's Diet. It may not work for you, but it helped me and I have not had problems since. I didn't follow it to a T, to be honest, but followed the basic "rules" of the program as far as diet was concerned (I didn't do all the supplements he recommends, just the digestive enzymes - OmegaZyme- and vitamins - that stuff is expensive!). I felt 100% better in a week - YMMV. I certainly wouldn't guarantee you'd get better, but if you are in pain and you have no more medical options in the near future, it may not be a bad idea to try this or another (reputable) natural route. If you are more comfortable with a medical rather than holistic/homeopathic route, this might not be a path you'd want to try. Just wanted to give you another option :)

Prayers and hugs for you :grouphug:

[Remudamom]

You poor thing. I know how painful that can be although mine is nowhere near as bad. A nexium every other day handles my problem. It's better than guzzling baking soda, which was my previous treatment.

Any type of flour does me in. Praying that you get some relief, fast.

[shell in SC]

Thank you all for your wonderful advice! I can't say that my stomach feels better, but my spirits have definately improved today after reading everyones thoughtful comments! It's so great to know that I have a bunch of friends I can turn to when I'm having a rough day!
:grouphug:

TGIF!!!! You all are the best!!!!
shell

[Jean in Newcastle]

I'm so glad that you are having a better day. Praying for you that you find some solutions.