It's almost the end of 2013...and I sit here thinking about what has happened this past year. I had a diagnosis finally, to one of my many health issues! WHAT, you say?! Yessiree! I got really sick back at the end of March. I couldn't eat solids or else I'd be miserable. That went on for a couple weeks & I lost 15 lbs. Then I caught my first stomach bug in my life, from my sweet Bella. I'll spare you the details, but I then couldn't eat ANYTHING for days, so I went to the doctor. He immediately referred me to a surgeon to get an endoscopy. That was one of the worst consults I've ever had. He sat there and pretty much told me he didn't know why I was there and that an endoscopy wouldn't help me. I almost cried & it took all I had in me NOT to. I still don't really know what changed his mind but he finally agreed to the procedure. I struggled through another week of not eating and feeling sick, and then had my endoscopy. I woke up, in & out of consciousness and heard the surgeon telling me I had bile reflux & acid reflux. I saw a picture of my esophagus with bright lime green liquid in it. He gave me some packets of cholestromine and told me this would fix everything. If you've ever taken this, you know it's like drinking sand. Well, guess what? Surprise, surprise, I was allergic! I was covered head to toe with a rash....
So I started a couple months of different pill combos to see if I could treat the bile reflux(which is worse than acid). In the meantime I had some blood work taken & all came back normal except my vitamin D level was supposedly too high. I found this hilarious since I stay inside away from sun because I rash up from it. I also have a very unbalanced diet due to my issues...so I was confused. The nurse told me to stop taking any supplements with D in them. I told her that my multi has D in it and she informed me that there were tons of multi' s without D. So I went on a search for a D free multi. Guess what, I found 1 very expensive one that was a pressed pill(which I can't take because they pass through me unabsorbed...what a waste)
So I stopped taking a multi. About 2 weeks later....
The diarrhea monster reared it's ugly head.
It kept getting progressively worse over the weeks. I called the doctors office and was told that I was prone to that, right? But they
finally agreed to test my poop for bugs and stuff. I also had blood work drawn too. My doc said I'd have to get another colonoscopy!!!! I asked him if I could just go back on a multi, because that's the only thing that really had changed. He told me that vitamins are just a scam, made up by the pharmaceutical companies. But, he said, do whatever. I started taking my multi again and guess what?! Within 3 days, I started to become more normal in the bathroom! I knew it.......
finally agreed to test my poop for bugs and stuff. I also had blood work drawn too. My doc said I'd have to get another colonoscopy!!!! I asked him if I could just go back on a multi, because that's the only thing that really had changed. He told me that vitamins are just a scam, made up by the pharmaceutical companies. But, he said, do whatever. I started taking my multi again and guess what?! Within 3 days, I started to become more normal in the bathroom! I knew it.......
I wish I would have just ignored doctor's orders because it would have saved me 2 months of suffering and my kids could have enjoyed their summer, rather than staying home because of me.
I saw an endocrinologist in the midst of all that who told me I was normal, just that I was more AWARE of my body & it's workings. He said other people feel the same as me but don't realize it. REALLY?!
He ended up running some tests just to appease me & he called me personally, telling me that I actually DO have something wrong with me, that my C- reactive protein was elevated. He told me it'd be hard to figure out why though...
Moving on....
My regular doctor referred me to a closer gastroenterologist, so it'd be easier to get to(only 1 hour instead of over 2!)
I saw him twice....and I will never go there again.
He doesn't believe there is such a thing as bile reflux, that everyone has bile in their stomachs. I'm not even a doctor and I know that our pyloric valve at the base of our stomach opens enough to let food out but closes to keep bile out and prevent backwash. He tried me on acid reflux pills(2), but they messed me up more. He got mad when I didn't call him back to get new meds. I told him how I was super sensitive to chemicals and that I was interested in the stretta procedure, to keep bile out of my esophagus(which by the way is getting more damaged as the days pass...it has ruined my singing voice and caused all kinds of weird growths. Esophageal cancer is constantly in my thoughts...)
He told me no way.....and that I need to try more acid meds. I refuse to do that, not only because the side effects, but PPI's, do more harm than good in the reflux battle.
Again....moving on...
I go see my doctor for a messed up ankle, as I leave I mention the stretta procedure. He tells me he'll look into it because he wants to help me get some relief. I get a call the next day, personally from my doc! He says that there is a new minimally invasive procedure that they are performing in my state!
The LINX procedure.
He told me to look it up & that'd he'd refer me.
A light at the end of one of my long tunnels!
I am going January 13th to see the surgeon...yes, I'm driving over 2 hours, but with hopefully help for the weary.
I tell you what.....if I didn't believe & trust that God has my back....these past 6 years and 4 months would not have even happened.
Pain, sickness, and discouragement, can do a number on one's head. I am reminded on a daily basis that God is good and I'm truly & thoroughly blessed.
I am looking UP & ahead to healing in the new year!!!!
