GERD or ???

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I wasn't going to mention this here but am getting desperate, I have been sooo sick since July 18 (this is my fourth major body part tested since Hallie's problems in February and the other 3 have been determined to be from anxiety over that but I don't see how this one is because everything is great with her, and the rest of my life, right now).

I"ve had an upper GI last week which looked pretty much OK. I've been on 20 mg Omezaprole twice a day for over 5 weeks now and it has helped some but not much. I didn't like my gut doc (he said to me the first visit "I hope this does not become a death sentence for you.  :crazyeyes:) so have an appointment with a new one but it's not til Sept 11. The first guy though was suspecting non erosive acid reflux disease and also mentioned testing my gall bladder but said to keep on with the current meds for another 2-4 weeks.

If I am interpretting my symptoms right, I have not had any burning in my esophagus. It has been mainly chronic nausea (and maybe some burning with it??) in my stomach. It makes it hard to function, I haven't been able to walk Hallie more than a couple of short walks or go to the gym in weeks. I've had better days, where I can do some stuff like work on the fence, go to the store and do errands but I pay for it with worse symptoms.

I have been very careful what I eat, and am not eating much at all and losing weight which worries me. I am desperately trying to eat because I am worried about my little Hallie grrrl, but could only get about 500 caloreis today and that was a struggle. I think I would have given up by now if not for her. Right now my stomach is on fire and very nauseous. I have been sleeping on a wedge pillow, not eating 2-3 hours before bed, avoiding the acid reflux trigger foods, etc. I just don't know if this even is acid reflux since it is not responding much to the meds and since I haven't had the burning in the esophagus. I have had some reflux though. I don't know what else to do and every appointment I make I have to wait for a couple of weeks to get in anywhere. I'm at the end of my rope this gets old really fast. I should never have googled because scared myself to death with things it could be, but one that I would love for it to be would be chonic cholecystitis, I have never had the pain in the upper right quadrant but I do in the lower Q at times and I do have some of the other symptoms. That one sounds curable once the gall bladder is taken out. Everything else I've read it might be sounds like a lifelong sentence.

As common as acid reflux is I was wondering if any of you guys have it or know anyone who does and have any insight?

[Roberta]

Could be a hiatis hernia. Did they do a camera thingy, if they say you are to thin to have it insist as I'm the so called wrong shape for one and I insisted on getting the scope and hey ho I had a hiatis hernia. Do you get Gaviscon over in the states, just googled it you get it but not in the strentgh we get as it is a wonder.
http://www.ucdvoice.org/reflux%20therapy.html

Don't panic about what it goes on about illnesses etc. Focus on the
1. Don't drinlk coffee
2 don't bend or lie down after food or liquid, sleep propted up
3. If you can get something like Gaviscon get it and take it after you have eaten or drunk apparently you get Gaviscon liquid (liquid Gaviscon 30cc after meals.
4 Avoid spicy foods also some foods upset some poeple and not others
5 one of the things that sent mine of is stress and panic
6 drink MILK if your not up to eating as it gives gthe acid something to work on.
It does not disappear overnight it takes a while

Nick has it bad and if he eats he does not bend or do any work for about half an hour after ingestion.
http://heartburn.about.com/cs/dietfood/a/heartburnfoods1.htm
has some tips on food to eat or avoid. But you must eat as not eating actually makes it worse

Roberta




I can send you some Gavison advanced let me know

[cheryl186]

Dee Dee...my mom has acid reflux and a hiatal hernia.  She takes two Prevacid a day....watches what she eats; eats like five small meals a day (whenever she feels that "gnawing" in her tummy to get rid of it) and mom also sleeps propped up by a soft foam wedge at night to keep her elevated.

Is there any thought that you might have an ulcer?  Please please try not to worry about what it could be.....it is something that is totally fixable...okay?  Worrying will only make it worse....and Dee Dee....you have to eat.  If you don't eat that will make it feel worse and you will lose more weight and feel weak, etc.   

And Dee Dee....please STAY OFF GOOGLE!!!!  I have done it myself and have worried needlessly about things which no one even had!!!!

Major rays and prayers to you Dee Dee, hoping that you will feel better soon and the docs will get you on meds to help....

[Barb]

Oh DD - I am so sorry you are puny.... sending rays and prayers first and foremost.  You have to get some calories in you - what about Ensure or Boost?  I am not much help as far as advice goes.... but if you really get down - and can't get into see a specialist - go to the emergency room.   Please keep us posted - we all love you !

[DeeanDave]

DeeDee, I have been diagnosed with GERD/Acid Reflux and also had a hiatal hernia (for which I had surgery on many years ago).  Mine had gotten so bad that there was nothing I could eat or drink that wouldn't cause pain, even water.  Over time, it got better but it was a rough road prior to the diagnosis and plan to get back to the point of being able to eat with no problems.  I have taken Gaviscon previously and also take Zantac.  One of the things that I have found really help with soothing the burn when it gets bad in addition to helping calm the stomach is the Rolaids Soft Chews.  They calm the burning/churning down very quickly and of course, I limit the amount as they can cause constipation if you take too many.  Just follow what the amount states on the package as to how many you can take in a day.  Believe it or not the Soft Chews work better than the Zantac.  My doc indicated that it's best to eat several small meals a day (he said break it down to six meals) rather than the three meals.  And, watch what you eat....as indicated by all here.  If I overeat, my GERD really acts up and not only does it notch up the acid reflux but also causes me major stomach problems.   I've learned to work around it and if I slip, I pay for it!  Prior to the diagnosis of GERD and the repair of the hiatal hernia, I had acid reflux so bad that the acid burnt my esophogus causing a scar tissue buildup.  So my esophogus is not as large as it should be but again, I eat smaller meals/portions and have learned to work around it.  One thing I learned, is that you cannot skip meals or not eat. And, stress and worry with cause reaction with the symptoms.  Even now, when I get stressed or worried, problems pop up. When that happens, I have a talk with myself to attempt to destress.  I, know, easier said than done!   For nourishment, do try the Ensure.  That will help with keeping you nourished.  IT is fixable!  I would definitely make sure that they check for a hiatel hernia and/or ulcers.  Try the Rolaids Soft Chews -- they help me a lot with the reflux and with the stomach pain.  And, get some Ensure and drink that to help get those calories and nourishment up.  Dee

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks you guys for the good advice. I hate to hear that this has touched several of you too. I did have the upper endoscopy last week with the camera thingie and there was no hiatal hernia, everything looked totally fine except the nurse said that the doc said (he was gone when I woke up) that there was a slight flattening on one side of the sphincter. But she didn't know what that meant. Before he put me out he said if all looked ok then he would test for gall bladder problems but I've never had the pain I have read about. His notes said suspected non erosive reflux disease.

I have never drank coffee or alchohol, I don't drink pop or carbonated drinks, I have been sleeping on that horrendous wedge pillow (Hallie and I can't figure out how to spoon with that thing in the way and it's soooo uncomfortable) for weeks now, also for weeks I have been being as careful as I can not to bend over or strain anything especially after eating, (I hate that because I am even afraid to bend over to give Hallie kisses or play with her on the floor like we usually do, etc). I am sure not to eat 2-3 hours before bed. I have read all of the trigger foods and have avoided them completely, I am mainly existing on ensure right now (other than that is' some toast, oatmeal, banana, rice...) so already taking that. I will ask if i can take the gaviston, it is frustrating to have to wait for each appointment like this, when I feel so awful, 2 weeks ago I went into urgent care it was so bad but there is not much they or the ER can do since they don't have the gut testing equipment.

I was tested for h pylori and it said negative. No ulcer or anything.

Lately eating does make it worse, so I am afraid to eat anything. The nausea goes on for days. Sometimes eating makes it better but more often it's worse. I havent' found one food that is better than another they all make me feel bad. I am just not sure this is acid reflux? I feel awful for you guys and your relatives here that suffer with this. I had no idea before this happened. But is there always burning in the esophagus with your experiences? I have not had that. My main thing is the awful nausea and it's all definitely in my stomach, not in my esophagus. I have never had this at all until after the stress with Hallie this winter, then I had a few bouts of what I then called burning (in the stomach) but now realize a better description would be nausea, the kind like when you have the flu. But those were short lived and I felt fine in between and didn't think much of it as we were dealing with other testing at the time. I have been telling the docs to this point that I have had burning and I imagine they just figure I mean in the esophagus but at the time I didn't know that is where the burning usually is (until I read up on it). So I am wondering if this is even acid reflux. I would guess not everyone has the same symptoms with it but I have not yet read where nausea only is acid reflux. I have had some reflux though but no burning with it. Not as much lately maybe due to the omezaprole.

I also wondered if the 40 mg a day of omezaprole is causing the nausea because it does feel somewhat different than before but I don't see that on the fact sheet at all.

Has any of your experiences had this where it would last going on 2 months now without any let up at all and on the meds??? And have you had nausea without burning or does it burn up behind your breast bone like what I've read?

THanks for those links Roberta those were two I have not seen. I am really sorry you and Nick have problems with this it sucks!

Cheryl I'm so sorry for your Mom too, I hope she's doing well now! You are so right about Google...but I can't help myself. :) I guess I keep searching for something with good news but keep finding the bad. I had worked myself up to 102 lbs but now am back down to 98 in just a few days but as desperate as I am I just can't eat.

THanks Barb Ensure and I have become very close friends.

Ah Dee I feel so bad for you too. You are the first person I've talked to that had the surgery. You mention everything you ate caused pain so that sounds like up in the esophagus? I don't get that in mine...the docs have never mentioned gaviscon yet interesting both you and Roberta have taken it. I tried all of the OTC products like maalox, mylanta, previcid OTC, pepto, etc in the 4 days before I went to the urgent care (I had a doc app't but of course it was 3 weeks down the road) and none of them really touched it. The omezaprole took 3 weeks to kick in at all and it did then improve things but certainly not dramatically and it's now getting worse again and it feels different but that could be that it is the same symptoms only with omezaprole making it feel different...but I don't know. Yes what I eat are small portions no way could I eat a meal right now. I have read about the scar tissue that can happen...that must have been awful for you. The stress management stuff I've been learning at the behavior clinic here seems to have helped a lot with stress and like I said right now everything is great, Hallie is feeling good, art is good, etc etc so there should be no extra stress at this point.

Thanks again for the tips I would be interested too to know if my nausea sounds like GERD to you guys? It just doesn't make sense to me?

[doxielady5569128]

My dad has GERD and his symptom sound a lot like yours. He has days when he can't eat and he has to avoid certain foods.   I do know one ting that helps with the nausea (at least it works for my dad) is to eat some of those peppermint candies.  It dosen't last too long but, hey even a few minutes of relief would probably help.     I'm so sorry you are going through this!!   I will be praying for you.      I'm sorry I can't be of more help.    Please try not to worry and just focus on making yourself eat and getting better.

One thing my dad does when his flares up real bad is he only has liquids (chicken broth, etc...)   until his nausea is gone, then for the next two days he eats bland foods.  After those two days, if he's doing better he eats normally again.   

I do agree with you that it sounds more like a gall bladder issue.  Hopefully you can get a doctor who can help you really soon!    Please keep us posted and know that we all care about you and are hear to listen.       

[papbouv]

When I had my Gallbladder attacks I had pain in my upper back until they removed it about a year latter. I really feel for you these doctors automatically see a woman and think its all in her head I swear I wish men had some of the problems women have. Have tried seeing a woman doctor that might help. Heck when you are having a really bad day go to the ER with it maybe they could find out what is going on. If you do not like the smell of Ensure the Boost seems to smell better and taste better when i worked in hospitals the patients seemed to like it better. Also if you can drink 1/2 cup of milk add some Carnation Instant Breakfast in it that will help keep weight on you you might be able to buy one can of it to see if you like it first.I sure hope you find out what is going on soon Hugs & Rays to you.Papbouv,Buddy & Patches

[sollysmom]

Dee Dee,

I have acid reflux and have been taking over the counter Zantac 150.  I take it twice a day.  I had the heartburn, but what really got me was the stomach pain.  I would have a really sharp pain in my stomach, and unless I ate or drank something it would not go away.
I got scoped and all that, and luckily didn't have a hernia.  From what I'm hearing it sounds like you have it too.  Of course, only your doctor can tell for sure.  My other problem is I've, also, got sleep apnea and my sleep doctor doesn't want me to sleep on more than one pillow.  I said forget that.  Won't happen.  I have limited myself to two, but wouldn't mind more for my tummy.

Good luck on finding out what it is.  Keeping you in my prayers.

Darcel

[Teresa]

If it makes you feel any better, I've had the gall bladder pain that makes you want to bend over and you can't tell if it stomach pain or where it is coming from. The nausea was definitely a symptom. I was told that if eating helped, suspect an ulcer, if eating made it worse, suspect the gallbladder. I would think if you were getting some kind of reflux, they would have seen something with the endoscope. Also the drug you are taking usually works pretty well. I know Meg was having a real problem with it for awhile and it worked like a charm.
With the gallbladder, it has to secrete bile to digest the food you have eaten. The more fat the food contains, the harder the gallbladder has to work. When I had my first attack and the second one about 10 days later I had eaten pizza both times. The surgeon asked me what I had to eat before the attacks occurred. When I told him he laughed and said they could use pizza as a diagnostic tool and save people a lot of money. It will set off a gallbladder attack in a hurry due to the fat content in the cheese and some of the meats.
If you want to try something and see if it helps, go to www.gallbladderattack.com
It is a site for people with gallbladder problems and gives a recipe for a tea that contains flax seed that you can try (but you may have to use your kitchen ) and a few other suggestions. If it helps, it may give you an idea of what you are dealing with. Meg's best friend has gallstones and can't have surgery until next month, so she has been following the advice on this site in the meantime. It is buying her the time she needs.
I hope you feel better soon. That is truly the most miserable feeling in the world!

[MyLittleBoo]

            Ok, what is with all of us??   I too am having problems with my gallbladder.  I have an app. Tues. with my doctor, he will probably do the ultrasound and go from there..  But, as doctors go, Philip had me at the ER last Sunday, I have had a headache for almost 2 weeks now, and keep getting the horrible stabbing pain in my rib area at least 2-3 times a day (usually after I eat), and I also have been really nauseated..  So, they take 3 tubes of blood!!!!!!!!!!!!    ACK!!!!!!!!!   I hate needles!!!!   Then they tell me my white count is down, they also run a test for West Nile which came back negative...   Anyway, the dr. tells me that he thinks I have food poisoning???   I felt bad, but not that bad, I've had food poisoning before and believe me, it wasn't the same....   So, they give me a shot for pain (headache that still never  went away) and one for the nausea that only made me tired...    And, yet, nothing worked...  Still have the headaches, still have the stabbing pains, still have the nausea??   So, will see what doc says Tuesday...    I am also going for a mammogram on the 11th...   Very nervous for that...      :crazyeyes:      Anyway, I hope you get feeling better DD!!!  Sending rays, prayers & some puppy kisses your way...   Belly rubs to Hallie...                       

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I had no idea so many of you here had problems with this. :( It's an awful thing. I do actually feel a little better today than I have in a few days as the day went on. I was able to eat more today and take Hallie to the supermarket.  :thumb:

I am still not sure after hearing what you guys have said.

Thanks Doxielady I'm sorry your Dad has this too. The last gastro told me no spearmint or peppermint but the liquids is a good idea. I should try that and see if it helps. I've been doing pretty bland food too.

I know what you mean Papbouv, my gastro guy is only a mile from my house but unfortunately I didn't like him, he didn't listen to me and didn't have a great bedside manner. The one I have an appointment with now is 40 min away but I hope he'll be worth the drive. Those gallbladder attacks sound terrible! I have not had any pain whatsoever in on my right under the ribs, I thought my stomach was painful for a few days a couple weeks ago but I was so nauseated and burning there too it was hard to differentiate. But it definitely hurt more than it does now but definitely in the middle not the right. I read that there are 2 kinds of gallbladder attacks, accute and chronic and it sounds like different symptoms for each. I wonder if chronic possibly could be without pain....I wasn't sure by what I read. It said there could be pain but not if there always is with that type or not. If it's the same as what you experienced then I would think this is not my gallbladder. I have the other symptoms but those are the same for many things. I actually do like the taste of Ensure, I liked the chocolate but now chocolate is on the (long!) list of things not to eat when you have acid reflux so I am getting the pecan.

Geez Darcel I'm sorry for you too this sure is a common problem. Do you have to take Zantac the rest of your life then? And you had stomach pain too...so maybe my stomach pain doesn't have anything to do with gallbladder after all. I still have not seen anyone who had true GERD and no heartburn, with just nausea and some reflux. I imagine that is possible though. I'm glad you didn't have a hernia. Sleep apnea would be miserable and especially on top of acid reflux! So sleeping with your head elevated is not good for sleep apnea? That is really frustrating it seems anything that helps one thing, is bad for another. My gastro guy said multiple pillows could make reflux even worse because it bends you in the middle and puts pressure on your stomach, he says to sleep on the wedge thing which is miserable!

Poor Teresa...you too!! Well when I had the pain in my stomach it didn't bend me over (the ruptured ovarian cyst last year did though! So I can sypathize!). How long did your nausea last with the attacks? Mine has been 6 weeks now, the omeprazole has improved it but I've not felt anywhere near normal yet and some days are real bad again. I hate to think of taking omezaprole forever anyway having no stomach acid does bad things in the long run. After and if I finally get a clear diagnosis I am going to try a natural clinic in Seattle that will test you for allergies and intolerances and help regulate your digestion and all. They say in many people they can cut down or cut out their meds and do well. I'm sure it depends on your particular case.

Teresa I couldn't believe when you said that about the pizza though! I had had the few bouts of burning in my stomach that never lasted too long a few times within about 3 months. Then on July 18 I took pizza over to my nephews. I rarely have pizza or really fatty things and I had had 4 pieces that night, with pepperoni, sausage, onions, etc. It was the next day this hit and has been really bad ever since! (on the other hand I did have one slice of cheese pizza on our trip to Canada in June and it didnt' seem to bother me like that but it was just cheese and just one piece although a big one). I don't know if a gallbladder attack could act that way, without the extreme pain but with nausea and burning stomach and some reflux only, for this long (6 weeks) without stopping...but it is very interesting that is what happened with you and your gallbladder. I have definitely had a very low fat diet since, save for a few milkshakes when I was desperate for calories and couldn't get anything else down but wouldn't you think the low fat diet would have made the symptoms subside by now if it were gallbladder? I just hope this new doc knows what he's talking about! Yes eating does usually make it worse, but I am thinking that would be true for acid reflux too...?

So Meg is having gallbladder problems too? She's so young! AND her friend as well? I had no idea this was so common. I know 2 people who have had theirs out but that's all. That is a great link thanks I will try the tea! LOL yes I may have to risk utilizing the kitchen!!  It will be interesting to see what happens thanks so much.

Thanks everyone so much it has helped to get some input from your experiences, I hope this won't be something too bad and once this is figured out I hope NO MORE health problems, I have never had so many tests and doctors and scares in my life. No time in me and Hallie's schedule for all this stuff! 

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Good grief Tara! Yes what IS going on with all of us??? You poor thing! I hope they figure that out for sure and get you fixed up soon. Everyone I have talked to that got their gallbladder out felt so much better afterwards. It would be a good thing to have if you have to have something because they can fix that. Let us know what happens on Tuesday I'll be praying for you too! I have not had a headache or the pain everyone mentions but just the nausea. I keep hoping to feel that pain because I really want it to be gallbladder! Two docs (I keep spelling that DOX and having to correct!) palpated that area and I felt no pain, the first guy kept trying to convince me I did but I kept saying no. It sure does sound like gallbladder in your case!

Try not to stress too much about the mammogram, these tests are always so scary...I just had a biopsy and ultrasound and blood test myself and was terrified because it's so easy to convince yourself it's the worst...but everything came back good and will just keep rechecking some cysts but she wasn't too worried. No matter what your history, chances are still way better the mammo will be fine than not, as with most tests, I always try to focus on the "probable" and not the "possible" to get me thru til I hear. Think positive!

There is always something! Up until Jan of this year, I had never had any health problems, always felt great lots of energy etc, now I feel like an old lady! LOL.

[Teresa]

Meg hasn't had problems with her gall bladder, just some acid reflux stuff. After a while on the omezaprole it got much better. Only her friend has the gallbladder problem and she is only 24. That is young to have problems, but she definitely has gallstones. I actually had my gallbladder out when I had the problems with it, but can remember vividly what it was like. Of all the things I've had happen to me, I still rank that up there with one of the worse pains/illnesses.
The pizza incident is interesting. I wonder if you could have a gallstone and it is partially blocking the duct of the gallbladder. If so, that might explain some of the continuous nausea. That is such a miserable feeling.
If you aren't any better by Tuesday, you could try calling the GI doc's office you will be going to and have them put you on a cancellation list. That way you might be able to get in a couple of days earlier.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

That's a good idea Teresa I'll do that.

Meg is pretty young to have the reflux too but I guess that can hit at any age? Gallbladder problems do sound pretty brutal. A friend of mine years ago I remember had hers out and she said she'd rather have two babies at once than to go through the gallbladder pain again.

Do you recall how long it took the omezaprole to work for Meg? It took over 3 weeks for it to kick in at all with me and now at 6 weeks I'm wondering if it is possible it still will do a better job in time or if this is as good as it gets. Does Meg feel normal most of the time now?

I'm interested to see what the dr says about the pizza too!

[Madderoos Mom]

DD, I'm so sorry you're having these problems.......and everyone else with their aliments.  YIKES!  Don't have any advice but hopefully words of comfort that you, DD, know we care about you and hope that you get to the bottom of this quickly.  To everyone having tummy problems, sorry to hear it.  Wishing everyone better health in the future. 

DD, please keep us updated on what the doc says.  We want you to get to feeling better real soon.   

[Teresa]

For Meg it worked pretty fast and she was only taking 20mg a day. She occasionally has a problem now, but she only if she eats a lot of spicy foods and then she get usually get by with something like Pepcid AC. I wouldn't have expected it to take 3 weeks to make a difference.
Someone mentioned the Gaviscon earlier. That shouldn't interfere with the omezaprole. The Gaviscon causes some sort of a foam barrier to form in the stomach to help prevent the reflux from happening. It's over the counter and has been around for years. My mother in law swear by it.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks Sandi this sure has been my (and Hallie's) year!

I was afraid of that Teresa. I don't think this med is going to work for me then. I have not felt normal by any stretch since this started, some days are better than others but it's definitely not making me feel good. I can't remember the last time I had a real appetite even the times when there doesn't seem to be much nausea. I will look into the gaviscon.

I talked to my brother in laws sister last night who had her gallbladder out a few years ago. It doesn't sound the same, she too had a dull ache along with the nausea. She had the gallbladder problem after getting a bad flu which they said somehow killed her gallbladder. It was just mush and where it was laying on her liver, it made a necrotic spot on that too that they had to take off! Gads. But she has had stomach problems since she was in her 20s and has been on prevacid or similar for all these years. Her regular tummy symptoms though sound just like mine, mainly nausea, with no burning in her esophagus. She hasn't had a firm diagnosis really but it sounds like gerd so I'm guessing that is more likely what I've got. As I always say, they just need to keep me going for 1 minute longer than Hallie that's all I ask! :)

[Roberta]

Tell the new Gastro guy and he may be able to change to another type of tablet. My mothers doc changed her to a newer one and it did not work so she is back on Somac which she says is a wonder drug "take one pill and eat anything).
On the food front the triggers are diffrent with every body you mnay get away with eating tomato's but another person that can be the trigger.
We both have bouts every now and then and Nick would beless if he lost weight.
I had better get to work
Roberta
the carnation thing sounds good, as I could drink a can of it neat.

[PattyInAK]

Gosh, DD, I am so sorry you are going thru this anguish.  Three weeks after my surgery, I crashed mentally.  I couldn't function and after a week I called my doctor.  She said it was anxiety due to all I went thru and the uncertainty of my future.  She prescribed Zoloft, and I think its really helping.  I still worry but at least I can funtion and get into projects at home, and I am loving cooking again.  I would wake up every single morning feeling nauseous, and it was awful.  I never did throw up but it would take until noon or early afternoon before I felt well enough to eat something.  It was wierd because I would wake up at 2am, or 3am or 6am, and feel OK, so I would eat something hoping it would keep me from feeling horrible later, but I still felt horrible late.  So it wasn't like I was feeling sick because I hadn't eaten.  I have been thru a lot of SlimFast shakes, its at least something nutritious that I can get down in the morning.  You might be suffering from anxiety.  I am glad that Hallie is OK now, but you are still worrying about her, and that may have something to do with this.  Damn it all.......if we all lived closer together we could at least go for some walks and vent to each other, it always helps to talk about it and know that you are not alone.

[papbouv]

At least now days they have the Gallbladder surgery where they can do it with the three little holes and not have to make the long big cut of course mine was years ago so i had the big cut type.I get to go for my 3rd mammogram for this year this month 1 boob smash a year is enough gee my doctor said they were covering their behinds??? No use to worry about it just go do it and hope for the best I have what they call dense breast tissue so they cannot read them well ???Oh Boy something more to worry about.
Good luck on Tuesday with the new doctor hope they find out what is going on and fix it quick.
Papbouv

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I have not heard of Somac here I think our choices are prevacid, prilosec and nexium (I'm on omazeprole but that is the same as prilosec I think). I keep hearing of people having bouts so I am wondering why mine has been constant for 6 weeks is this common? I'm really feeling like I'll never feel halfway normal again! So far anything I eat seems to be a trigger, toast or rice or whatever puts me in worse agony than nothing at all. Frustrating that the dr app'ts are so far apart and all this waiting in between. I will call tomorrow though and see if someone will prescribe a new one for me over the phone.

Patty I think you are right I can't help but think this is connected to the anxiety over Hallie back then but it must have been underlying anyway? I'm just wondering why it won't go away if anything it's getting worse again. Did yours go on for this long? The problem with anxiety drugs is they can aggravate acid reflux! Wouldn't it figure.I rarely feel too overly nauseous in the morning (although I am to some point all the time) afternoons and evenings are my worst times.

My cousin had that one done Papbouv he had four small scars much better than the big cut I'm sure! I keep hoping I have something fixable like gall bladder but I don't think it ever happens without pain at least from what I've heard and unfortunately I don't have pain at least not like that. Yes there is always something to worry about isn't there! I hope your mammos go just fine. I wish it were Tuesday I was going to the doc but the app't isn't until the 11th...

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I keep getting worse everyday the nurse today said nausea only is a very unusual symptom for GERD. So 
They called in a prescription for Nexium I will pick up in the morning and try maybe it will work better thant he omezaprole. I did call the new gastro office and they were able to squeeze me in on this coming Monday the 8th rather than the 11th which was my first appointment so that was nice of them. The nurse said if I wasn't better at all by Friday to call her and they'd tell me what kind of nausea med to take but to try just the nexium first. I just can't understand why this is getting worse I can't get hardly anything down now and I am not eating one thing on any GERD list just bland same stuff mainly ensure right now. I try to stay perfecty upright and hold still all day and am sleeping on that miserable wedge etc there is nothing more I can do to try and stop this nausea. I just hope the new guy is good, I got my records from the first guy today and he had symptoms written on there I never told him he got it largely wrong...
I still smile everytime I look at my Hallie grrrl so not all is lost!  She's lost some weight though I realized today because I'm not eating and I usually give her bites of her canned food or healthy bites of something while I eat so she's not getting as much either! So I am giving her a little lunch of her own which she was thrilled about but of course now will have to be a routine forever.  :thumb:

[Roberta]

Somac the parent drug is called Pantoprazole,
Do you have a non work hobby like I do stitching, reading etc and try and get your mind of the nausea, as its a round robin you worry about it, it gets worse you more and it goes round and round.
anxiety drugs could work you may have to get off the anti others as they don't seem to be working anyway. Have you thought of hypnosis for the anxiety, or some form of zoning your mind out. Remeber Ms H's problrm is going to be there whither you stress or not, my mum has always said when I get to where you are is " Stress about what you can control" Another trick I have is music Pacabel's Canon and greg, I lie flat on my back and breath deep and listne to the music and try and loose what is in my mind.
Roberta
Hang in there remember to eat as lets face it, it can always come back up, I know gross, but it may stay down and both of you will get some weight.

[MyLittleBoo]

                                We just wanted to send some more rays your way..  Hoping that you get better soon, we can't have you two losing too much weight...    I just got out of my Dr. & he sent me for some bloodwork to check my liver enzymes...   *UGH*  He is suspecting gallbladder, but also kidney stones or my pancreas...   Will have results from my blood tests within the hour...       :xfinger:         I am jsut hoping that they find what is wrong..     Get feeling better DD!!!                      

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks Roberta, that is all good advice. Other than this stomach thing though I really don't have anything to stress about right now, life is going great for once! I have been going to the behavior clinic for about 2 months now and those techniques have helped some and will even more with practice I think. I called this morning to see if the nexium script had been filled and they said my insurance won't pay for it and they can't fill it for several days anyway. So maybe I should just stay off all meds until Monday if I can stand to for that long. Anxiety drugs would be something to try just to see. It's hard to get all docs from different areas to agree on one thing.

Gosh Tara let us know what the results are! Hoping it's gallbladder that you can get out and not have bother you anymore. I'll be anxious to hear. I hope you feel better soon too.

[Delia and girls]

Wow! I didn't realize stomach problems were as numerous but if there are this many sufferers in our little group of people, it must be bad. Of course, the number of meds should have been clue #1 for me. I just never really thought about it since I (thankfully) don't have that problem. Anyway, I just wanted to send rays to all who need them and hope that answers will come, with solutions.

[PattyInAK]

I couldn't figure out why, after finally getting surgery, I would plummet and feel so sick to the point I couldn't function.  I, too, had heard that the anti-depressants can aggravate the anxiety and make it worse.  Lord knows I didn't want that to happen but I was so low that I decided to give it a try.  It worked for me.  I still have anxiety, over money and what the future holds.  I have applied for social security disability retirement and am agonizing over what their decision will be.  I just know that I can't go back to those 12-hour days with commuting 100 miles a day and sitting at a computer all day.  I cannot do it anymore.  I have been a draftsperson for 35 years.  Its hard to let it go, especially since it wasn't my idea.
DD, I think that what might be getting to you is not so much Hallie's health but your own...........and what would happen to Hallie if something happened to you.  I know you have made arrangements for her care, and that is great.  If you ever need a backup, I am here and would take good care of her. 
I don't know what to tell you to eat.  Its good you are drinking the Ensure, at least its some nutrition.  I tried to think of all the foods that I usually crave and none of it sounded good.  One day my mom brought over a roasted chicken and I about devoured the whole thing standing there at the kitchen sink.  But it has been hell.  Mornings were the worse for me, but as the day wore on, I would feel better and could finally eat.  It helped when Dan came home, or when I was up at the cabin with other people.  Being alone made it worse, I guess because I was thinking about stuff all the time.  I am doing much better now.  That could be the drugs, or just the passing of time and coming to terms with things.  My biggest worry is having my docs or the insurance company pulling the plug on me and saying there is nothing wrong with me and I can work.  I know that I cannot do it anymore.   I truly believe it was the 35 years of drafting that did this to me.
Sh*t......I just don't know what to say to help.   I know how hard it is when you have to wait so long for an appointment with a doctor and all that.  After what I went thru, I worry a lot about getting old and being in pain, and having no one to help me.  I think the smartest thing to do is have an MD as a good friend.

[papbouv]

An old nurses aide told me once if you have a  hiatal hernia you cannot drink orange juice with out paying the price guess she means pain in your upper gastric area???

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Yes be very thankful for your health, until Jan of this year I never thought twice about it I just figured I'd stay healthy. That all changed in a day. You guys know about that all too well!

Tara did you hear anything yet?

Patty I have not heard that antidepressants can give you anxiety? Good grief. You are exactly right that I am most worried about something happening to me and leaving Hallie behind. That is my very most worst fear. I know she'd be taken care of but we are so bonded it would be h*** on her without me. I would never want her to go through that. I am the exact age my Mother was when she was diagnosed and died and left me so I know what that feels like adn I know that is playing into all this too I've dreaded this age all these years. They just have to keep me going a minute longer than Hallie that is all I ask! There is nothing that sounds good, it's such a huge ordeal to try to even come close to eating enough every day. I really do have to stay off google everything I read is stomach problems like this are next to impossible to treat when they don't respond to meds like PPIs and a lot of people out there have to suffer all their lives without any relief. :( Or take a lot of horrible drugs that will mess up your system and still don't work all that well. It is amazing this hit so hard and fast pretty much out of the blue and appears to be here for good.

Papbouv a large percentage of people with GERD also have a hiatal hernia. I happen not to but it doesn't make a difference on my symptoms. Orange juice (and all citrus) should not be had by anyone with GERD or any kind of digestive disorder. Along with spearmint, peppermint, onions, garlic, tomatoes, chocolate, sugar, anything tomato based, anything spicy or fatty, dairy...the list of what you can have is a lot shorter than what you can't and even though I've been avoiding any of those things like the plague it isn't helping. I hope this won't be a long path of the docs not having anything to offer adn searching out new ones I guess this is that my first Dr meant when he said he hoped this didn't become a death sentence for me. (nice guy doesn't mince words). I am thinking of getting tested for food intolerances next just in case that might be part of it. I kind of doubt it though as I do think this was brought on by the stress this winter but stress can't cause this, it had to be underlying already and stress just flared it up.

[MyLittleBoo]

Unfortunately, I didn't hear much...  The only thing I know is that they stole my blood, bruising the vein (first time this has ever happened to me), and the tests they did showed nothing...                But, at the Dr.'s  office, the physical tests he did pointed mainly to gallbladder...  Still no answers, still the pain & nausea...   Guess I'll get in touch with doc tomorrow and see what's next...   Afterall it was the receptionist that looked at the results for me, so maybe she missed something...   I don't know...    I know, I don't like not knowing, and I don't like waiting, I have put other health problems to the side trying to figure this out....   Ugh!!!   Getting old is no fun...  lol  Hopefully I can find out more info tomorrow...  Wish me luck...        :xfinger:

[papbouv]

Hope they find out what is wrong on the 8th can't loose too much weight rays & Hugs to you papbouv Buddy & Patches

[Frankys_mom]

Dear Dee-Dee

We are sending rays that you get an answer and relief soon!  I don't know if anyone else said this (I have a short attetnion span  :thumb:) but two things that helped my mom who gets super duper motion sickness/nausea are ginger root and acupressure.  It needs to be real ginger not the "fake" stuff like ginger ale softdrinks.... I know you can get supplements or "candied" ginger. Also acupressure (not acupuncture...needles YIKES I don't think so!) there's a spot in the area of your thumb that is suppose to repress nausea.  Alway check with the Doc, first though
I know the most important think is finding out whats wrong & fixing it, but maybe you can get some relief in the interim.

I know I don't know you personally, but wanted to let you know that we do care about you and everyone else here that has problems.

We hope you have a great, relaxing, peaceful vacation in Montana.  Yellowstone is my dream vacation.
Smooches to Miss Hallie
Dawn, Franky & Delilah

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks you guys, I forgot to check this thread again. Tara have you found anything yet?

Thank you Papbouv you guys are the best, I am so relieved to have a good Dr!

Thank you too Dawn! I will look into the ginger root for sure, thanks for the tip I will go to the health store tomorrow, the lady who owns it I hear is good at telling you what you need. Accupressure is a good idea too (I had that once many years ago to help me stay awake when I was doing a horse marathon ride for the Guiness Book thing, I can't remember it well but know it didn't hurt!) I got some wrist bands from my cousin that she wore when she had morning sickness to try. I'm finally feeling different  though, the nausea and burning is pretty much gone! But I feel sick in a different wierd way...but over all it's better! I think I'll make it now til next Thursday and the tests! I sure hope they figure it out then and it won't be anything major so we can really enjoy our trip.

[MyLittleBoo]

Ok, here is what I know right now, absolutely nothing....  The bloodwork was normal last week (but, the week before when Philip took me to the ER, my white count was low                     ), so they did the ultrasound yesterday morning...    There didn't seem to be any large stones, but possibly a few smaller ones...   The Dr. got the results back a little before noon today, and I still haven't heard anything...  I went for the mammogram today, and was told they didn't want to do it in the mobile, since I have a family history of Breast Cancer, I have found some lumps & I am so young, that I need to go to Pocatello (bigger hospital) where they can do a diagnostic, and the Radiologist will be there looking as we go along...   *SCARY*    So, no news on the gallbladder yet, and I am now scared out of my mind with the mammogram....    I think I will call the Dr. office right now, and demand my results...  lol                  I don't like waiting...                 Thanks for asking DeeDee, I will let you know when I hear something...     

[papbouv]

Would be nice if we could send some of our extra weight to those that wanted it or needed that would help solve weight problems. DeeDee did you get to go see thenew guy yet??? if you did what did he say???

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Goodness Tara. I know how you feel. I have literally had dozens of tests this year so far and it is so stressful waiting for each one. I am worried about next week too but at least I feel I have a great Dr finally! I just hate they make you wait so long to get to the next app't and then to get any answers. All we can do is hang in there!

I wish you could too Papbouv, it's really quite scary to not be able to eat for weeks and forcing yourself to eat all you can and it's still not enough. But today I think is the best day I've had since all this started! Not great of course but comparitively I felt an improvement!   :thumb:

I did get to see the new guy and he is wonderful. I am so relieved, unlike the first guy, he got right on it and said this has gone on way too long and is doing some tests next week. He is super nice and LISTENED to me, I am really glad I found him. He didn't throw out any theories of what it could be but one of the things he is checking is gallbladder, like Tara. He did say you can have a gallbladder problem with no pain, as I've not had the typical pain that goes with it I was thinking that would not be it but maybe it is. He also said from what I said, he didn't suspect GERD or acid reflux first. The rest of the tests are 2 days before Ron and Delia and the girls get here, nothing better stop us from our trip!

[papbouv]

It is great when you can find a doctor that listens to you and does not act like its all in your head lie some doctors do hope they will find out what is wrong quickly and be able to fix it quickly. Have fun on your trip know it is easier said than done try not to worry so much worrying does not help at all just makes things worse. I read in Dog Fancy magazine an article about people that are worried about their pets if they were to die before the pet. They have a few homes across the country that the pets can go to until they pass on them selfs these are real homes and the care givers really spoil the pets. I think you can most likely find something about it if you were to google it,Like after care for pets if I die first. I think you have to set something up with a lawyer like a Living trust for the pet. Of course if you do have any family they could care for her??? If you had something set up maybe you would not worry so much about it of course no one will care for Miss Hallie like you but she would get excellent care if you looked around for what might be available.At my house Buddy would go to his breeder its in the contract Patches would be stuck with hubby I have written detailed instuctions in my filing cabinet about how you have to brush her and take her to a groomer once a month. Hubby is so tight with monies I do not know if he would spend the monies on Patches guess I can always come back and haunt him.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

That is definitely my biggest worry, I do have a will for her and I have excellent godparents but she would miss me SO much. It really scares me to death to consider that, I keep telling the Drs keep me going just one minute longer than my dog that is all I ask.

I just got home from yet another trip to Urgent Care...now i have 2 infections, they can't give me antibiotics because of my other problems so just gave a prescription to deaden the pain until Monday. I swear! I had no idea it takes this long and this hard to figure something out and treat it, my stomach is 10 times worse than normal tonight too I am so sick of this. :( The Urgent Care Doc even gave me his home phone number in case I get worse over the weekend. How nice was that.

[Roberta]

Dee Dee, I know how you feel.............remember only if you want to, we in  a heart beat would  come and get her and bring her out here, we had started to look into it re Jude earlier on the board and it can be done. So don't worry about her out living you.
Have a peaceful week-end and EAT 

Roberta

[sollysmom]

Dee Dee, I am sorry to hear that they still haven't found out what's wrong with you.  It is very frustrating I am sure.  Hope the newest
infections get better soon.  I feel your pain.  Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope you hear some news soon, and that it's good!   

Darcel
(PS I forgot to answer your question earlier and yes, I will probably take something for gerd for the rest of my life.  Just have to wait and see.)

[papbouv]

Rays & Hugs hope you feel better soon  Thinking of  you,Patches,Buddy & Papbouv

[Teresa]

Just remember, Dee Dee. you seem to have a doctor that cares and understands the importance of you getting better. He wants to make you feel well enough to go on your trip and that says a lot. I'm guessing that he is holding off on the medication he wants to give you until after he does the tests. I'm curious to see if once you are on the road with Delia and Ilsa and have the meds if you will feel better, especially if you have gone through the tests and know you may finally have an answer. AT least the anxiety will be less then.
I pray that the test days get here quickly and an answer is found and you are feeling really good on Thursday. You are going to have a blast, even if you aren't 100%, but it would be great if you felt your absolute best!

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

That is so sweet Roberta I still think we should all move into a big doxie commune and be closer together!

Darcel I hope you will be able to go off the meds at some point. I was supposed to start ranitidine but I keep stopping because of other things I dont' think it was helping anyway. Sure does seem to be a lot of people with stomach issues.

Thanks Papbouv I am ready to feel at least "normal" again!

You are right Teresa. I do hope there will be no glitches between now and the trip I am sure it will do us all a world of good I know Ron and Delia could use a get away too and will be so nice to see Dave and Dee and the boys.

Well at least I got one answer today...I just got home from 7 hours in the ER. Turns out this time I have a very severe UTI (hemmorhagic cystitis I think he called it). Scared me to death! (and PAINful). I got a half hour of IV fluids and antibiotics and some other stuff. He said another day and he figured it would have gotten to my kidneys so good thing I went in today. Thankfully my cousins were home and they drove the half hour in to take care of Hallie for me.

I had mentioned to my cousins (the wife is my cousin, but I call her hubby my cousin too he is great they are the ones who built the new fence for me) that my pressure washer wasn't working right. Then when I got home tonight, I took Hallie out to potty and was standing there waiting for her looking down and my mind didn't get around it for a minute but I made out the letter "D" in my cement. Then I saw DEE DEE and HALLIE above that...obviously my cousin fixed the pressure washer he had written our names in the cement!

[Teresa]

You'll certainly feel better now. That is something that will make you feel awful, but will also get better really fast. I have a feeling that by this evening you'll feel like a different person and will be amazed at the difference. I'm glad you went in when you did and found out what was going on.

[papbouv]

If you like Cranberry juice drink allot of it that will also help with any bladder problems when you run out of antibiotics you might want to get re-checked to make sure the infection is all gone.Sometimes bladder infections are stubborn things to get rid of you need the right combination of antibiotics to make sure the infection is all gone.
See calling your cousins stepped right up to take care of Miss Hallie for you while you were gone to the ER now don't you feel better knowing Miss Hallie received excellent care while you were gone I'm sure they love Miss Hallie allot too.
Get Well Soon Hugs & Rays to you.
Papbouv
Patches & Buddy

[doxielady5569128]

Wow!! Dee Dee, That sure is scary what they told you at the ER!  I hope that you get over all this really soon, I'm sorry I didn't check this post sooner!!  I agree that drinking cranberry juice will help a lot with you UTI.  I can't stand the taste of it, myself.  However, when I had an infection a few years ago, I forced myself to drink a lot of it and it really seemed to help.   I'm praying that your health gets better soon,  you and Hallie have had more than yur share this year!   

[cheryl186]

Dee Dee...I am soooo very sorry that you are feeling so bad Again....Continued prayers that the doctors will find out what is wrong and you will be feeling better really soon

[papbouv]

I hate Cranberry juice also hold my nose & chug it or mix it with 7 Up from what I have heard the Cranberry juice keeps the bacteria from adhering to the bladder walls.Thats why it is so good for you to drink witha UTI they even have Crandberry pills out now too not sure if they work as well as the juice.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks you guys I will be getting some cranberry juice. The UTI symptoms are better but I'm feeling worse than ever, I got an app't with my regular Dr this afternoon. Can antibiotics make you feel sick? I feel really weak and exhausted and no appetite whatsoever I can't hardly force myself to eat but I keep trying to drink stuff, but I'm not nauseated. This is all so crazy.  Of course I keep fearing the worst this has been going on for so long and getting worse why would I not have an appetite for weeks on end and I just don't know what to do about the Montana trip.

[DeeanDave]

DeeDee ~~ My two cents worth.....While we would love to see you, Hallie, Delia and Ilsa, and the opportunity of the trip to Montana, your health is the number one concern and you need to be feeling well enough to travel.  You've probably already had your appointment with your doc, but talk to the doc and see what they think about you traveling.  In order for you to enjoy your trip, you need to be feeling good.  Speaking from experience, there is nothing worse than being ill, traveling a distance from home and the illness takes a turn downward.  I had started a trip a few years back, not feeling well, traveling to Nevada, and taking a downward spiral ending up in a strange town and ER!  I don't want to sound negative but make sure you are up for the trip.  We would miss seeing you but we also want you well!  I feel bad that you are feeling so bad.......we've got to get you on the road of good health!  We are sending you mega rays and prayers that you get well!  Let us know what we can do for you!  Dee

[papbouv]

Seems like you need Mega Rays HUGS hope you feel better soon let us in on what the dr says, thinking of you & Hallie.Papbouv Patches & Buddy

[doxielady5569128]

Dee Dee,
Yes Antibiotics can make you feel very sick!!   I have major problems with antibiotics giving me an upset stomach, so that might be contributing to your problem.  My doctor said its because anti-biotics kill all bacteria in your body, including the good bacteria in your stomach, which causes it to get upset.  They make me not want to eat while I am taking them.   

I think it would be best for you to stay home and make sure you get healthy.  It  just stinks that you are going through this!   I really hope you can get this stuff fixed soon!!   Hang in there!    

[April]

DD I just saw this post.  How did your appointment go?  Is there another thread somewhere with the update?  David has issues with his tummy.  He complains of nausea and pain in his stomach regardless of what he's eaten, but he also has gall stones and has to avoid too much red meat as well as a few other things. It could be that they are related in him and it might be the same thing you are dealing with?  I'm not sure if that helps any since we don't know what is wrong with David either. 

[MyLittleBoo]

Ok, it's official, I have no idea what is going on in my body...              My ultrasound showed my gallbladder to be normal size, with no stones.   I am so confused over this...   While at work Monday, I got the pain about an hour into my shift and it lasted for about an hour.   Then when it went away, I was nauseated for four hours...    After that went away I was very happy, then a half hour later, the pain again, and that one lasted about 2 hours...          I don't want to do the next test, but I don't want to let it get out of hand either...   Hopefully, we figure something out soon...    I despise not knowing...         

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thanks you guys, my regular dr didn't do anything other than scare me to death with her suspicions. I am having an ultrasound tomorrow and seeing the gastro. again. I still have no appetite at all and can barely force anything down and feel really weak and worn out, overall sick feeling hard to explain. I'd appreciate any rays for tomorrow (Thursday). I'm praying it will be something not too bad and easy to fix.

I hope you get to the bottom of yours too Tara. It sure seems hard for them to diagnose anything somtimes. 

[MyLittleBoo]

Good luck tomorrow, DD..  Hope they can find out what is going on..  Sending rays that you feel better soon..                Let us know..   EmmyLou sends kisses..  Give Hallie some belly rubs and loves for me....                 

[papbouv]

Good Luck today hope they find out what is wrong and can fix it quick have you been checked out by your GYN lately might not be a bad idea to get checked out that direction too since they cannot seem to find out what is going on just a whole body scan or checkup.More Rays to you hugs an Belly Rubs to Miss Halie too. Papbouv,Patches & Buddy.

[sollysmom]

Good luck and sending mega rays and  for you.

Darcel

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I don't know much more than Tara at this point but I did have the ultrasound today and thankfully nothing showed up. (I was realllly scared). His next suspicion is a malabsorption problem so took a bunch of blood to test for several things. Those will be back next week. Dr is now calling me Olive Oyl. I am not quite as tired today but stomach is still no better. The Dr gave Dr's orders to go to Montana though! So we're going to give it a try (good troopers Ron and Delia!). I am nervous about that but also very happy we are going after all. I'll call the Dr next week from Montana to get the results of the tests and will see him again on the 30th. So 2 little girls and Delia and I on the way to Montana Sunday and another little girl and Ron staying at my house while we're gone! Papbouv been to a gyn too, had a biopsy, ultrasound and blood test last month. This year has been "so much fun"! 

[Teresa]

I'm so glad about the ultrasound, even though it leaves you wondering, and I"m really glad you have a doctor wanting to find out the reason. I really do agree with his marching orders. If you can't do anything about it at home, you might as well try to enjoy yourself in Montana. You won't be by yourself and worrying quite so much about what is wrong since you are just amazed by what you are seeing (and you have wonderful company to go along with you). I hope you are able to let us know how you are from the road, or at least Ron will let us know. Have a wonderful trip and I really hope you feel better.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

THanks Teresa!! I just can't imagine what this is it doesn't sound like GERD anymore. Strange thing. My only symptoms now are the 0 appetite and the fatigue. I've been reading horrible things about ciprofloxacin so took myself off.  But I am really glad we decided to go on the trip Delia just called from the airport and she and Ron and the girls are getting their rental car and I can't believe I'll be seeing them in about an hour! And then get to see Dee and Dave and the boys tomorrow. Hallie is sticking to me like glue today normally she is always with me but lately there have been a lot of times when I mess with the house it means she is going to have to stay home while I'm at one doctor or another...so she's not sure what's going on she'll be happy when she sees our company.

[Teresa]

You've got to stop googling everything! The problem with stopping antibiotics early is the chance of the infection not being cleared up and then it returning. Since you started it on Saturday or Sunday (I'm thinking it was one of those) did you have many days left? You may want to call and see if you can get something with less side effects, just for another few days to be certain you'll be okay through the trip. Of course, now I probably have you worrying again  :verdict:  Anyway, if you can call from the road, it might be worthwhile. If you just went off the Cipro today and you only had a day or so left, I wouldn't worry too much, but if you had another 3 days left, you might want to have something on hand. I will say, now that I know you were on Cipro, it does explain the lack of appetite. It is known for doing that. Have a good trip and enjoy all the puppers you get to see! Can't wait to see the pictures!!

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

I know! I agree, that darn Google is a double edged sword. I got thru 5 days of cipro and had only 2 to go. So hopfeully it's ok. My dr had said I could stop at day 5 if I had side effects. But I had planned to go all 7 days until I googled. Today I felt a little better! So I have hope for the trip.  :thumb: I can't believe Ron and Delia and the girls are asleep in the next room it's been way too long since I've seen them, they haven't changed a bit in 5 years! I, on the other hand....have! lol. Looking forward to seeing the Greenacre clan tomorrow too it's nice to have something positive to focus on for once! Thanks for the advice Teresa! I really appreciate it.

[Teresa]

Hopefully it was the Cipro making things worse, and since you made it through five days, you should be great. Have a great time and relax and enjoy doing what you do best-using your camera to show others this beautiful country of ours (and the people in it  )!

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Good that's good to hear. Oh I forgot on the first day in the ER I also had some kind of IV antibiotic. So I should be germ and bacteria (good and bad) free! 
We are heading out the door will post some dachshund and lion and tiger and bear pics when we get back.  :thumb:

[cheryl186]

I just wanted to bring this thread back up because I know that Tara was going through some medical stuff and I was wondering....how are you doing Tara?  Have you had any more tests?  Have you had your mammogram yet?  Just wondering how you are feeling and hoping that you are doing well and have some answers.
Cheryl

[MyLittleBoo]

I just wanted to bring this thread back up because I know that Tara was going through some medical stuff and I was wondering....how are you doing Tara?  Have you had any more tests?  Have you had your mammogram yet?  Just wondering how you are feeling and hoping that you are doing well and have some answers.
Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,  Not much has changed with my stomach problems...   But, I am happy to say that, I am cancer free...   I was really worried about that...   Other than the stomach problems now, I feel fine...     So, hopefully we can figure out the stomach thing now, and focus only on that...   I just don't want anymore testing...                Thanks for asking...   How is your cleanup going?? 

[cheryl186]

Thank goodness you are cancer free    Wonderful, wonderful news!!  We are soooo happy.  Now just get those tummy problems settled and you are home free :thumb:  Clean up is going, and going, and going.  If anyone wants some firewood, I would even be willing to ship it to you....hahaha.  We are getting a load of dirt to fill in where the pool was.  We also need to get some grass seed, etc.  There is still some brush that needs raked up....The pups really enjoy the wide open back yard now so I don't know what to do....I still would like to make a nice patio and place a firepit in the middle with chairs just to sit and enjoy the evenings.  Thank you for asking Tara. Again, I am so happy you have gotten great results so far on your tests :apls: :apls: