i'm so depressed and over this

Hi! I am jus depressed. My life has went completely downhill since i was diagnosed with lpr. I used to always wine and complain before but i had no right. I just want to be normal again. I dont hang out with any friends and my friends dont even call me anymore. Maybe i'm feeling sorry for myself..i dont know. Im waiting for the biopsys from my endoscopy to get back and its causing me so much anxiety just waiting on it...i honestly dont even know what those biospys might show...can they show reflux? I have an appointment with my gi next week even though he said he didnt want to see more for six weeks after my endoscopy. I just can't wait though..and i hope he listens to me. that is always my biggest fear because I feel like most doctors dont fully listen. I dont even know what to tell him. If they find that my LES is messed up terrible i want to ask for the surgery but i dont even know how to go about asking him. I have already tried so much. I started feeling symptons in late september but i think this all started before then, because looking back i did have symptons that i would just ignore. I still get discouraged because i read so many posts on others sites where people have suffered with lpr/gerd for twenty years or more. I'm so afraid that will be me. My therapist tells me i can't compare my journey through life with others. What they go through doesnt mean that i'm going to go through that and visa versa. I know she is right, but its just hard. I also have OCD..and my ocd usually focuses on something i am going through in my life. Right now all i do is obsess over this. I talk about it all of the time. I just want to wake up and be cured. Right now i have this lump in my throat..that sympton comes and goes. i'm just so tired. i know you all understand:(

Stacey,

Hey there, I posted to you in the Anxiety Forum.  One way to get your Dr. to listen to you is to make a list - a reasonable list of the high points you want to cover with him.  If he talks to you in terms you do not understand please ask him to repeat what he said in layman's terms.  If you have an appointment scheduled for 40 minutes you have the right to have his full attention for 40 minutes barring a life threatening incident in the clinic.

Make your questions brief and in a forthright manner ask the Dr. if you would be a candidate for surgery due to your severe LPR.  Also ask for a referral to a surgeon is he is not one. 

Remember you have the right to seek second opinions so do advocate for yourself.

I agree with your therapist - you cannot compare yourself with others but you can learn what helped others that have symptoms similiar to your own.  Also you can find support and caring by talking with others who suffer the same disorder as you.

Stay strong,

Kitt

 

thank you to both of you for responding and be so helpful. Maria..I know exactly what you are going through. how old are you? Its such a horrible and scary feeling. I have struggled with different illnesses throughout my life but this one tops it. I'm aso on ppi's and i hear they can make you worse..every site says something different. Maybe we can swap emails and talk more..get through this together:) -stacey

Thank you Allen...I hope so...have you considered surgery?

Yeah, Allen have you considered surgery? I have heard that the nissen fundoplication surgery has helped alot of people. I Am (as many people on this forums would consider) still in my early stages of this disease because ive only had it for four months but I have been trying a lot of ppi's and my esophagus still never stops burning. It is awful but i will keep trying.

Stacey- are we allowed to exchage emails through these forums?

Seems to be going good so far. Am back at work already, just taking it easy and watching what I eat and drink. Seems like water, boost, pudding and jello now. Occasionally I do mashed potatoes. I used to say I just want my normal life back, but seems I have forgotten what normal life is. :( hope this surgery helps, also I had ulcers in ny esophagus from the GERD. I was on PPIs for 10 years until I realized they were causing my panic attacks.

Im glad it is going well for you. I have some questions. Im curious as to know how you survived for ten years. Did you have chronic symptoms all the time? I feel like i would not be able to withstand going like this for ten years. Maybe i havent learned to ignore my symptoms yet

Very very hard Maria, especially trying to work feeling like crap.

Stacey, I emailed you from my gmail.
Allen what kind of complications do you have to have in order to qualify for surgery

I'm sorry Maria, I misread your question. Thought you asked what kind of complications I had. I'm not sure as to what is the right answer to your question.

Cant talk for others Maria but after my first visit with a cardio surgeon, my surgery was scheduled for a week later. You can email me at [REMOVED EMAIL ADDRESS] if you ever want to chat and i'm not on here. Good luck to you!! :)

Edited to remove email.

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Post Edited By Moderator (dencha) : 12/28/2012 8:49:20 PM (GMT-7)