Tuesday, July 21, 2009

And the winner is...

GERD...Gastroesophageal reflux disease...and aren't we having fun now. It's actually a rather severe case (of course it is), previously undiagnosed because I really wasn't presenting the usual symptoms. A non-obese 37-year-old female goes to the doctor with panic attack like symptoms--chest pain, shortness of breath and occasional wheezing. And this has been going on for over a year. What would you think? I am now fully armed with medications to repair my esophagus and stomach ulcar as well as tame the beasty within. I'm also digging for alternative medications--open for any and all suggestions.

So...today I have been cut off of my entire essential diet: coffee, chocolate, garlic, onions, tomatoes and milk. And my most favorite t-shirt ever has a stain. In the inmortal words of Alexander this has been a Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day.



6 comments:

Elise said...

I'm sorry Dori! I hope for you that you will find great alternatives for all the things you can't have any more, and that the ease of the symptoms will compensate for the things you'll miss.
Sending big hugs and lots and lots of well wishes!!

Meadowlark said...

aaaawwww... that SUX.

Sending you hugs across the miles. 'Cause I got nothin' else.

Peace to you, my friend.

Suburbia said...

Oh no, not your fav t-shirt!!!

But really, you poor thing, that's a long time to suffer. I hope all your meds work fast. Sorry can't help with alternatives, but I hope someone can.

Dori said...

A full day of meds and I'm amazed at the difference! Right now I'm going with the "moderation" school of thought...I can cut back on the coffee, but there's no way I'm cutting it out completely!

My shirt. So sad. A grease stain right on the boob...sort of difficult to hide that one. I love that shirt. Perfect fit, great color, cool funky graphics. Sigh. But, then again, I'm always accompanied by the short ones so maybe no one will notice the stain?

MissKris said...

I could write you volumes on this one. I was hospitalized in 1999 for 4 days while doctors did every scope and scan and test on me to try and figure out what was wrong with me when I went in to Emergency one morning with heart attack-like symptoms. When my EKG came back normal they thought maybe I was passing a pulmonary embolism. Or a major stomach blockage. Had my stomach pumped. NOT fun! All said and done, I was suffering from acute gastroesophagitis spasms that mimic heart attacks. Also had a lesion that ended up not cancerous, thank the good Lord. I carried around nitro tablets for years, using them like a heart patient because they were the only thing that could relax the spasms. As to the spasms...some of the most painful things EVER! I finally got relief when I had my gall bladder removed last year. In some ways that was a blessing but in other ways not so much because now I can eat anything again. But I can't taste. Years of bulimia burned all my taste buds. So I'm a walking, talking digestive example of what NOT to do to your body.

Sorry about the t-shirt. I have a ratty old one that says "Ireland" on it tho I've never been there, ha! But it is SO comfortable. And it's stained all over the front but it's one of my 'granny' shirts that I wear while taking care of the boys so if it looks like a wreck I don't care. I'm dressing for comfort and that's what matters.

Natalie said...

So sorry to hear about your problem with your innards! I've used essential oils like lavender to help with stress before. Yoga also helps (but when do you have the time?!)

I hope the meds continue to help but you have complete sympathy from a fellow cop wife in Idaho!