GERD - PART IV

Gail, I hate to sound preachy but diet is so important. Sugar, greasy and refined carbs like white bread are not only unhealthy for you but really, really bad for gastritis. Try to go easy on the rich stuff.

Yeah, where is ej? Wasnt she travelling? I hope she's ok.

Sew,

I took the  Pepcid before eating last night and ended up with more pain than usual.

Today I am not taking either one.  Medicine is supposed to help, not make you feel worse???

I have a faux version of Mylanta and going to take it today, at least it will give my stomach a rest.

Maybe acid is not the issue with me, I don't know anymore??

I was reading about Carafate today, someone here takes it, it is you?

It coats the stomach and leaves the acid level alone.  I have to find something to help or I will never gain any weight. 

No more powdered cream/milk for me, I was trying to boost the calories, and I paid for it!

Hi All! Chris, I'm glad you finally got the Carafate. I also have the pill version. You need to disolve that in a little bit of water & gulp it down. Give it a few days to work. I'm sorry to hear that you lost more weight. The carafate should help with increasing your food intake. How's the acid rebound? How long have your been on PPI?

Gail, sorry to hear that your tummy is not doing so well either. Be patient and take it slow. Like Chris said, don't worry about the weight to much for now. Take care of healing the stomach first.

As for me, I suddenly have heartburn all the time now. Could be my hormones going crazy or maybe my diet.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Hi Nat, good to hear from you. Let me know how much water and for how long should I leave the pill in the water. Yeah, the weight loss isn't too surprising to me yet scary at the same time. I was on Aciphex for 2.5 months. Today is my 9th day not taking it. Acid rebound is moderate. It's not horrible. Some days, it's actually pretty good but sugar is the worst. When does heartburn happen for you? To me, it happens about 1-2 hours after eating and it feels like it's more lower abdomen in the soft part of the belly. Like a warming feeling like how your throat would feel if you were drinking slightly hot water.

GAil, I have a breakfast of banana, a pea-based protein shake (only 120 calories but 20g of protein) and a hard boiled egg. That's about 300-350 calories. Lunch is like a turkey/roast beef sandwich. No cheese, no condiments. That's about 300 calories. I'll have a bag of Sun Chips if I am feeling adventurous. Another 200 calories. For dinner, I usually am having brown rice/veggies and a grilled chicken breast. Maybe 400 calories. Add it all up. 1300 calories. I might have some snacks like chips and nuts so maybe 1500 calories. A man my size needs about 2000 calories just to maintain the weight at around 160lbs (20-25lbs lost in 3 months) but I don't even know how I can add another 500 calories, eating vegetables and brown rice. I am scared to eat junk food now, LOL. Meat, especially if it's lean, doesn't have much calories either. Not being able to eat dairy and also not eating junk food, it's a huge calorie loss. Anyway, HEAL THE STOMACH. Then the weight will come back. You will not gain weight until you heal the stomach :)

Here's a funny story. When all this started, I decided to get life insurance. Remember I thought I might die back then. Anyway, I got a call yesterday from my insurance agent that I have been categorized in the healthiest group and will get the best possible price. It's because the blood test and height/weight measurement came in so favorable. My cholestrol, blood pressure, BMI index is like the best it has been. It's ironic because I still feel weak and my strength is no where near normal.

Sounds Good Nat ;)

Chris, I also found a dairy free/lactose free nutrition drink made by CVS Pharmacy, it is called

Liquid Nutrition Plus - vanilla or chocolate, I got the vanilla and it is pretty tasty, doesn't taste like Boost or that crappy Ensure......it  has 350 calories.

You could add avocado to your lunch sandwich, it is a good fat.

Hi Viv,

I made the mistake of drinking a citrus based smoothie today and suffered from it all day!

I should know better!.....I also have trouble with banana and oatmeal......usually I end up having some toast.   sometimes I cannot figure what is going to bother and what isn't.

I have given up on Pepcid and zantac, just taking liquid antiacid like Mylanta. 

Still do not have the results of my biospies, and won't have them until Monday!

Real good, now I can stress all weekend!

Good morning,
Gail: What do you do to relax? A good book, a good movie? My co-worker has her card club, they play once a week for little money. The winning money they save so they can go somewhere together. Do you do any exercise? I am craving for some carbs food right now but I don't dare.

Chris: How about some Ham roll ups with cheese for breakfast, fried eggs & bacon ( these are suggested in the Fast Tract) + no toast. I can't eat this way too much cause I have to watch my cholesterol. I have been using the Fermentation Potential Tables in the Fast Tract book and it does work for me. Yesterday I bought a big Watermelon, ate a fair bit and surprisingly my stomach felt good. These following fruits are low in Ferm. potential: Watermelon, Cantaloupe, strawberries. Maybe you should switch from brown rice to jasmine rice, brown rice has very high ferm. value. If you have a kindle you should look into getting this book, it costs less if you download it on your kindle. I was surprised to learn so many good stuff I was eating gave me so much gas. It has a menu for the first few weeks and then show you how to add more food in later.

Hi Gail, yes if you are not lactocse intolerant, you should try the whey protein shakes.  Unfortunately, I am lactose intolerant so no whey (which is derived from milk) for me.  Same with cheese and ice cream, which are really high calories and would have been great for weight gain.

Viv, ham and eggs yes.  No cheese.  I don't digest fat that well either with the gastritis so bacon scares me.

As far as carafate goes, I think it's helping a tiny bit.  Not really sure.  But the drug is a pain in the butt to take because you have to take it 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals and also can't take it with other meds since it would interfere with absorption.

Have a good weekend ladies.  Like I said, if any of you needs to vent or want to share, I'll be here.

Gail, if you have IBS, last thing you want is digestive upset. There are plenty of protein mix that is lactose free. Go on Amazon and type "soy protein or non dairy protein mix". Due to my naturopath, I can't even go with soy protein, so I am using a Pea protein. 20g of protein, not much sugar so not much calories.

You need to identify what foods you digest well and what foods you don't and stay away from it. I am convinced that until we do, we will never get better.

A lot of people do ok with yogurt when they have problems with other dairy. Consider yourself lucky and try the probiotic yogurts. I heard they are really good for you. I am just afraid to try it right now.

my post has disappeared 3 times now   ;(

Happy Anniversary Sew.  Good for you!  I was married for 44 years.

I did find lactose free protein, Muscle Milk, will try to use it twice a day.

I know I need it due to not eating meat or high  protein foods.  I do have probotic yogurt and have it everyday too.......You may be right, I may have to go on a PPI and try to get rid of this stuff once and for all.    (if there is such a thing?)

I am anxious too, maybe that is why I had the runs???  waiting for the test results is driving me a little nutty.   The only thing I have taken today is Tums and an occasional Tylenol.

Poor Sam wants to BBQ some steaks today (which sounds awful to me).....I feel bad for him.

I bought a stash of mashed potatoes, brown rice, etc., for things to eat. 

Thanks Chris. I use sea salt too....

I love all the marinades too darn!    you know I am getting concerned about EJ and Roah

Where are they?

Boy these little mashed potatoes taste so good to me ;)

 

Hi Chris,

Monday again!   Still waiting for my test results, this is day #10!   had a bad morning today,

lots of gas feeling nauseated too.......a lot of it is my nerves, I called the office and of course the nurse is not available and will call me........probably late today, I bet!   I think 10 days is ridiculous!

hope you had a good weekend?

Chris,

I am so sorry for your loss......it is so hard and of course one never knows what to say.

Of course your mental state has everything to do with it.   Don't worry about the kids, you will do fine.  you are probably anxious because you are alone.  I know first hand about losing people you love and it is such a hard time.  

Yes, when I was prepping for the test, my stomach did have less pain, just hunger pangs.

I had a chicken rice bowl last night which had seasonings, beans and tasted good, but I am paying for it today.   talk about mental affecting our gastritis, this waiting has done a number on me!.........After seeing my daughter on Moms day, I made up my mind that I need to get back to orange county.   I am missing too much!.......I shared with Sam yesterday, he didn't seem surprised. another move will be expensive and stressful, but my chances of finding work again are there, not here.  I need to work and feel useful........I know that has been weighing on me too.

I feel better just knowing it is in the plan now.  ;)  I have 7 months to prepare for it.

I will be able to return to my old Doc of 30 years also, which makes me happy.

Hang in there my friend, my thoughts are with you and your family.  HUGS!