Alot Afraid.

I swear I am going through one board at a time on this site.   This is one of the best sites I have found, that offer so much information, and support.  Which I learned early on, once I became medically challenged.  I have been through the medical ringer since 1995.  I have had a hysterectomy, many adhesion surgeries, bladder sling and reconstruction, gallbladder removed, breast biopsy, suffer from chronic pain, hypothyroid, GERD, and anxiety.  So with all this experience, why am i afraid.  Because the minute I get sent to a specialist, bam surgery!  For a period there I was having one or two per year.  I had to endure a 4 day hospital stay, before they finally figured out I had GERD and a bad gallbladder.  So out the gallbladder went, and on PPI's I went.  For the most part, the GERD stayed away... Until I had to switch from Nexium to Aciphex. Insurance would not pay for Nexium....  My  GERD episodes increased, and finally last year made a turn for the worse.  In October I had a bad case of pneumonia.  I thought the increase in my GERD symptoms was due to all the drugs.. So I ignored it.  Well in January I could no longer ignore it as I was having daily problems, serious nausea, burping, hiccuping, awakened from sleep by acid or food coming up, then major constipation and I was having difficulty speaking due to laryngitis, and sometimes felt pills were sticking in my throat.  That was the straw...  Even water upsets my tummy.  I started poking around here, and low and behold I very well could have a hiatal hernia.  I coughed so hard for 3 weeks, that my lower rib cage became sore from my diaphram smaking it with the major coughing... Hmmm? So I dragged myself to my PM, who changed my acid med to Zegerid, and he referred me to see my GI for an EGD.  He would like me to go right to the EGD versus xray first, since I am already on a PPI.  I have my appointment Thursday.  We will see if the GI doc feels the same.  My dilema is I just got a promotion, so I am sure the stress has added to all of this as well. If this ends up with some surgery, what the heck am in in for?  The thought of me having to go on medical leave...again,  kills me.  Atleast 2008 & 9 were surgery free.  All I know is my pain levels have spiked, and the side effects of the Zegred are challenging me.

I have read alot of the posts here for the past three weeks..  I feel so lost.  I feel like I am about to embark on a very dark journey.  I'm not prepared for a gazillion procedures or tests... Mentally or Physically.  So I just need some advice and hand holding as I make this trip.  I know I will get it because you are all wonderful here.  Thanks for listening.... Sue

Dear Sue,


Welcome to our world.
Support groups are a place for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange information. People with health conditions, as well as their friends and families find support groups to be a valuable resource and get confirmation that their feelings are "normal", educate others, or just let off steam. IMHO joining a support group is joining a family.

Welcome to the family and we are here to support you so keep on talking with us.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Thank you everyone. I was glad I found this place a few years ago. I belonged to a hysterctomy site where I volunteered some time to be a chat/message board hostess, then I found another wonderful support group where I met many friends in person as well as joined that family. So what you all do here is very valuable, and THANK YOU. To let people know they are not alone. Kudos!
Good thing my GI appointment is first thing tomorrow. I have become so miserable these last few days, so the Zegred is not helping much. I am very scared to add the second med he wanted me to get on, if the Zegred wasn't working ... It's been all over the tv and such, Reglan! So instead I have been relying on my Phenergan. The warnings on Reglan are too much.

Do they diagnose a hiatal hernia with the upper endoscopy? I am making my list of symptoms, and questions. I will let you know what happens, and where he directs me to go. Thanks again for the kind words and welcome.

Some HH are found by the endo, but most are found by the barium swallow.

I don't like the Reglan. I was on it for eight months and developed the shakes so bad I couldn't hold anything. I stopped it immediately. Today, three years later, I chew my lips and rub my teeth together. I believe it's a side effect from it.

Joy

 cannot stand this bloating!  My little ol mind is starting to wander.  So far the Zegerid is not slowing things down. Still blow up like a balloon after eating, no matter what size the meal.  I'm tired of burping and things coming up.  It is difficult sometimes getting out of the reclyner.  Today is a bad voice day.  I am praying the EGD is productive.  He said things that I keep playing over in my mind.  "Surgical Fixes are no longer the preferred treatment since drug therapies have come a long way".   Hmmm, well I hope he doesn't necessarily want to rule that out and expect me to do the drugs all my life. 

Anxiety is kicking in.  Tomorrow (Sunday) we now have a wake to go to.  Then tomorrow night into Monday we have a big snow storm coming.  Great.  I just have to roll with the punches, or burping, or hiccups, or acid.....

hey sue- i had an EGD done 2yrs ago thats how they found out i had a sliding HH - i was sick for months on end with a backdrip that never went away - coughing constintly b/c of it - just had my 2nd endo today - all seems normal took some biopsys results in 7-10 days - the only thing that i had done this week was an altrasound for my liver, kidneys and gallbladder - the drs found stones however my gallbladder is healthy - so who knows - im on the nexiun 2xs a day now

right now im nice and floaty still from the anesthesia - so i think its nap time again

let us know how things are