Wenchie's Broken Innards

[Wenchie]

Been battling massive acid issues all year. My doctor tested me for H. Pylori earlier this year, and even though the test came back negative they still put me on a PrevPac just in case. I was fine for a couple of months after that.

Reflux flared up really badly again toward the end of April. Settled down again for a little bit, and but has been really REALLY bad the past couple of months.

Went to my doctor last month, and it was determined that the acid/bile had gotten into my lungs, causing/aggravating asthma. So I got sent home with lots of medications.

1 month follow up was today. Asthma is somewhat better (not coughing as much at least and when I do cough it's not the wheezing fits that it was) but the reflux is just as bad (or worse) even though I'm on protonix.

So.... scheduled for an Upper GI in two weeks. The specialist my doctor wanted me to see didn't have any openings until then.

But my reflux flares up worse after eating, which means that I don't want to eat, but if I don't eat my blood sugar doesn't bad things... so life really sucks right now.

Add to that the fact that my insurance is changing at the end of the year and I don't know what the copays/deductables/coverage will be... and I have REALLY good insurance right now so if they're going to do anything to fix me I really need it done this year, but chances of that happening are slim unless I have a bleeding ulcer, since it's so close to the end of the year.

I'm not having a good month. The holidays suck for me enough and stress me out without all of this other crap... can someone please just shoot me and get it over with? Please?

[BookstoreEscapee]

I don't have guns but I can send hugs.

[Wenchie]

I don't have guns but I can send hugs.

Thanks. I'm just not having a good year. I'm only 31 and I'm tired of living in pain every day and never having them do anything to actually FIX it.

[Food Lady]

I'm sorry, Wenchie. So they can't get at the cause because they don't know what it is?

[Wenchie]

I'm sorry, Wenchie. So they can't get at the cause because they don't know what it is?

I think that's what the Upper GI is supposed to do. Hopefully.

[Amina516]

Im sorry Wenchie. I refuse to kill you, but I will light a candle for you and hope for your strength, healing and perserverance. I know...I know... not as fun as chopping you up into bits with my kriss sword, but I feel its the better way.

[csquared]

Is the Doc having you keep a diary of what you eat and how bad you react? If not, you should do so. You may find a pattern.

[Wenchie]

Is the Doc having you keep a diary of what you eat and how bad you react? If not, you should do so. You may find a pattern.

I did that in the past... the problem is that it's so bad now that it doesn't matter WHAT I eat, it's all reflux. I cut out all the stuff that is supposed to aggravate acid (like red sauces, caffeine, mint, etc) and STILL the reflux was horrid. I get reflux even if I drink milk. Or water. Seeing the look on my doctor's face when I told her that even bread & water was giving me horrid reflux was almost amusing... hell, saltines give me reflux!



No pattern. Unless it's the fact that if I get, I get reflux. if I lie down, I get reflux. If I live... I get reflux... it's just not as bad as it is when I eat or lie down. And since I can't sleep propped up (I've tried) and need to eat, I'm kinda screwed. In a not happy way.

[csquared]

Ouch!!!

[Wenchie]

Checked and at least the specialist the doctor wants me to see is in-network for my current insurance.

Of course, since my insurance will be changing at the end of the year (since HAP decided to raise the cost 20% and my company can't afford it) I'm really really scared about continuing coverage after the new year. Because I might have to switch doctors/specialists and/or might have higher costs.

Right now, if I have to have surgery, it should be covered 100%. But after the new year? Probably not. And I hope we don't switch to an HMO... I really like having a PPO.

All this stress is NOT HELPING.

[Ellain]

I'm sorry. I hope they fix you!

[Cazzi]

Wenchie. Hope they get to the bottom of the problem soon!

[MoonCat]

Oh I know how that hurts! Do I...

I've been on Prilosec since Feb. and it only helps about 75% of the time. Doesn't matter what I eat, either, so I can relate there, too. I thought about getting tested for an ulcer due to the occasional really nasty pain, but ibuprofen helps the pain, which shouldn't be if I have ulcer. Doesn't help that I have anxiety problems, the doctor seems to think that accounts for multiple things. I'm jealous of people who can take one teeny pill and have no pain/acid/etc. for the entire day...like my sister...

I hope the upper GI shows what's going on and they can get you fixed up soon!

[taxguykarl]

I had an upper GI in '01. They found nothing abnormal, but for about a week after that any acidic beverage (wine, coffee, fruit juices) was painful.

Here's hoping that your medical staff finds out what's wrong.

[telecom_goddess]

My mother had very similar issues for years and slept propped up actually. Eventually they went away but I'm not sure why. I have heartburn bad enough I take prilosec prescription strength but it helps for 24 hours.

Maybe the mechanism in your esophagous (sp?) that keeps acid in your stomach and keeps it from backing up in your throat is not working well...that was my mom's problem.

at any rate sorry I can understand what you're going through.