So, what's it like having reflux? It's a pain. Both
literally and figuratively. I take 3 pills a day to try and control it,
and it doesn't.
My day usually goes like this. Get up, belch, and think
about how bad it's going to be today. Throat burns, chest hurts, stomach
hurts. ok, not too bad. Go to the bathroom and take a shower. In the
shower, think about what to eat for breakfast. Not something too sharp. Too
crispy. Soggy raisin bran. That sounds edible. No scratching as it goes down.
Get out of the shower and ponder taking Tums (an antacid). It will make me feel
better, but the doctor says I shouldn't mix it with medicine, that might cause
the stomach to improperly digest the food. Hmmmph.
Get dressed. I hate putting on my shoes, because it always
makes me regurgitate whatever is in my stomach. Blech. Kiss the kids, and go
downstairs. Get some raisin bran cereal. Pour on the milk and let it sit
while I take my Protonix, multivitamin, and glucosamine tablets. Take the first
bite, remembering to chew it carefully to I don't scratch my esophagus while
swallowing. Hmmm, stomach hurts when swallowing. Gonna have to remember
to tell the doctor about that. A couple more bites and it doesn't hurt so
much anymore. Finish breakfast, kiss the kids and wife, and leave for work.
At work, it's 10 am, and my stomach hurts again. I can tell
I've been slouching because my throat is sore. Hard to swallow again. Stomach
is burning again; wonder if I should eat something so it's not so sore.
Lunch time! Let's eat. Ok, can't have anything with grease,
tomatoes, or cheese. Well, that leaves peanut butter and jelly, or a ham
sandwich. 5 minutes later, I'm done eating, and all afternoon I'm burping
up lunch. How can I possibly have eaten too fast and swallowed all that air?
Chest pains are starting up again. Wish
I had some good food for lunch to justify the discomfort.
Home for dinner. Need to get a small portion, can’t eat too
much or I won’t sleep very well. Can’t
sit on the floor to play with the kids, or sit on the comfy couch, makes me
slouch, makes my stomach hurt. Lie on
the couch, continuously swallowing to try to keep the food down. Doesn’t really work.
8 pm. Time to take my evening pills. Another Protonix,
Zantac, Singulair, and glucosamine. Hope
this helps.
11 pm. Need to get some sleep tonight. Take a Tums before
lying down. Aah, blissful lack of stomach pain for 15 minutes. Horrible taste
in my mouth, but I fall asleep quickly.
You know, if I could just sleep through the night. It’s sometime in the middle of the night.
Lying on my side, trying not to let my stomach rest on the mattress to reduce
the abdominal pressure. Doesn’t really work. If I were really fat, this wouldn’t
bother me so much. Right? Think about taking another Tums to ease the
heartburn. Can’t keep taking those.
Just another day. Having the surgery on Oct 31st. I sure hope it helps.
3:58:46 PM 
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