Finally turning the corner with fingers crossed. . .

Hi Everyone

I keep saying everyone is different and I continue to believe that very strongly. I am, at 65 a 'slow recoverer' and there has been nothing I could do until my body and evidently my mind at the same time were ready to turn the corner together.

I posted a link written by a man who had had an experience I believe my meds sensitive body had experienced as well during my 11 years on Nexium. I never really thought that my anxiety could be connected to Nexium use beginning 11 years ago but now I know it is possible and that at least one person took the time to document it for others who might have experienced it or who are experiencing it now.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=241937

After surgery my surgeon suggested I remain on Nexium due to excess stomach acid. I did so but never really got to where I felt much better. When I read the link about Nexium that I mentioned above I decided to take it every other day for a while and then drop it.

I am not everyone else and don't want to tell anyone what to do but I am better - my anxiety is better - not taking Nexium. I knew this had happened to me with Dexilant but never thought it might also happen with Nexium.

My experience will always be just that; my experience, but I am better. I went to several events including a dance and BBQ dinner at our town's All-School high school reunion and I danced and had a little bit of all the good things served at the dinner and they did not bother my stomach at all.

As a matter of fact I had my first (sorry to be gross) normal, formed bowel movement in over 5 weeks after my NF surgery. I wanted to jump up and down like a little kid and go get my "mommy" and show her. lol

I, once again, am not like other people. I've been through so many medications for GERD contributing to anxiety and anxiety contributing to GERD that the last 11 years were a literal nightmare. It was hard to know what came first; the chicken or the egg but the pre-op testing proved how bad my GERD was and the surgery was necessary and I'm much better for having had it. I couldn't have gone on like I was.

That being said, it left my nerves in shambles. Just even a little bit of reading in the old threads proves there are quite a few people who come down on the side I found myself up unto about a week or so ago.

When we have something like GERD we go as long as we can before seeking surgical intervention and I don't know if that's good or not. I have no idea. I think sometimes we may do the same thing in other areas of our medical health which may be affected by GERD and/or other things going on in our lives such as my sleep apnea, my sinus/nose surgery and the tonsillectomy.

They were all decisions I had to deal with and hope I was making the right one. I took Nexium and all the other PPIs and H2 receptor medications and all the rest suggested by my GI, had the ENT surgery and found myself left with years of "unrest" which had really assaulted my nervous system because none of those meds or procedures did much to help me until I had NF.

All in all, I have found that I need a very small once daily dose of an anxiety med to keep me evened out and I'm doing very well. Once my anxiety leveled out I am fine with the NF surgery.

Anxiety can really impact your GI tract even after surgery to correct GERD and anxiety can slow your recovery from NF. Maybe not for everyone but for some such as myself.

Again, not making any suggestion whatsoever but just letting everyone know where I stand this Labor Day Monday and that it's a whole heckuva lot better than it was even a week ago.

I'll continue eating right, taking my tiny sliver of anxiety med and get on with my life now. I hope everyone here finds the answers they're searching for. It's not easy but GERD does NOT exist in a vacuum. If it did maybe we could all take a pill or have a surgery and we'd all get well at the same pace.

Wish me well as I wish you well and have a great Labor Day!
Rita
PS - The only medication I have to take now is the minuscule amount of the anxiety med. Hardly enough to shake an acid reflux stick at. :)

Thanks, Denise!

I knew that corner was coming Rita! Well done cracking your GERD "code"! So many good things are on your horizon now - well done!

MMM

I'm glad you've reached your turning point. You go, girl!

Eating pretty much anything except for chocolate and milk products and of course steak.

Still very low on energy and very tired early in the morning but I perk up after lunch.

We still can't figure out what causes the early morning palpitations but I am scheduled for a repeat sleep study to see why it only happens in the morning and not after I'm up and running during the day.

I've read about other people who do the same thing but they're hyperventilating. Seems if you hyperventilate you'd do it at some point at other times. I only wake up like this in the morning - not even from naps.

Any ideas would be appreciated. My pulmonologist is at a loss. I think I may trade him in pretty soon if he doesn't get something going.

But as far as the surgery goes I'm doing fine.

Thanks, guys!
Rita

Post Edited (halloweenbaby) : 9/6/2011 2:29:19 PM (GMT-6)

Rita, could it be blood pressure related or blood glucose related - both those are low on waking. Just a thought.

MMM x

Hi Rita, have you tried aloe vera gel....it's known as the miracle plant. Here is a link to the benefits of this wonderful plant.

http://www.aloeveraland.ca/about-aloe-vera.html

I have been taking it since my surgery. I take a quarter glass at night, last thing before I go to bed. I can honestly say that it has helped my healing considerably.

Look into it...it's worth a try.

Hang in there, you are going to get better and don't think about your age, age is only a number. Think positive. I used to cry every morning I woke up, thinking I made a mistake and if this is how my life was going to be until I die. Your attitude is what is going to carry you through this healing process. I am rooting for you. Just so you know, I didn't start to see significant changes until my 5th month. Once you get past your 6th month, you'll have a BIG smile on your face.

Take care.

Cindy

Hi Cindy,

Actually my surgery is doing pretty well. I think I'm at a point now where I can separate apples from oranges.

The consensus my hubby and I have come to at this point is that between my long history of acid reflux and years of undiagnosed gall bladder disease I probably earned a merit badge in Anxiety 101 and how not to manage it.

I'm actually a good patient and have always done everything my GP or specialist has suggested me to do to help me be healthy and I'm not a health nut of any kind. As a matter of fact I'm just not fond of pills unless I have to take them.

I put up with way too many symptoms for way too many years because I am not a complainer and it all seems to have caught up with me.

But, yes, I did try Aloe Vera and it further contributed to my life with diarrhea and it also burned my esophagus. I tend to have opposite reactions to many meds and even foods.

Again, our theory, at this point is that possibly my cortisol levels are not what they should be and we're going to pursue my sleep issues from that current vantage point since CPAP and sleep meds did not work.

Thanks so much for replying.
Rita