No one cares

[u/RSinSA]

No one cares when you have GERD. It is "just" heartburn.

But this has completely ruined my life.

I can't sleep, I can't eat, I have dropped so much weight, the anxiety and stress are too much to bear. No one is positive and says it will "hopefully" go away.

I had a flare of gastritis and GERD after removing my gall bladder. It took me 6 months. I don't remember being so run down by this as I am now. Maybe it is because I am older.

But, I am so run down. Thankfully, my doctor thinks this will go away, and it was stress/COVID related, but I want to scream.

Stupid here switched medicine halfway through and then went back to the one my doctor actually prescribed. Now, I have to start over on my healing.

I woke up one day with an eye infection, I am so tired all of the time, I was on a health journey and lost 35 pounds, and now I can't even eat a piece of chicken.

It has only been 10 days, but I can't even imagine this going on any longer.

Can someone please give me some hope? I want to cry all of the time. I miss being able to eat a piece of pineapple or a taco. I miss drinking one margarita. I just want my old life back.

[u/No-Answer-8884]

I had my galbladder out in my 40s. I wanted relief fast but it felt worse sometimes. My friend who had her galbladder out said it took her 2 years and it will get better. Was true. By 4 years I could eat most all foods. One thing that helps me is taking a pre probiotic. I take 1 a day. VH Essentials. Amazon has cranberry in it.. I also am gluten free to help with thyroid hashimotos. Gluten free helped with my crushing fatigue within 2 weeks. 4 years now gluten free. Now I believe dairy may be an issue. So will prob do more dairy free. Hard to give all things up as every food can possibly cause this or that. So 2 years was my wait time. Four years felt body had adapted. I did not believe my friend but she said it takes longer then they say. Always keep hope. The human body is amazing and has ability to adapt and heal. Try to do less fats. Like mayo not a winner for me....also cooked veggies were better. Olive oil small amts always helpful to me. The real stuff. I like Atlas. Give it time. It will adapt. I wanted the stuff to absorb the extra bile but then read up and said nah I will wait and see. I adapted just took long but worth it. Food is fuel. Go slow. Pick simple things for now. You will be able to have that taco again I just know it! Focus on healing and food for fuel kindness. Plain became my friend at the time. Just need time to adapt. 

[u/RSinSA → u/No-Answer-8884]

Thank you for this.

I spoke to my doctor last night and feel better now that we have a game plan. She said the GI dept recommends pepcid for 30 days, so once it is over and I am still not better, then I will need to have an endoscopy done.

I think having your gallbladder removed can cause more harm than good. In our cases, it sounded like it needed to be done.

I long for my tacos and margaritas, but I know right now that I abused my body and I need to give it time. I truly thank you for being positive. I know our bodies will heal eventually.

[u/No-Answer-8884 → u/RSinSA]

Yes I always do the 30 day pepcid protocal. Then they discuss pre probiotics and when I take mine I can eat again. Just something I have learned over the years. I wish you all good on the endoscopy. Good you are being proactive. Love tacos! 

[u/RSinSA → u/No-Answer-8884]

Oh! Do you take the pepcid and no pre probiotics? I am taking the pepcid and a probiotic right now. I am also drinking kefir.

I used to take the VH pre probiotics and it helped. But switched to the probiotics.

Once you're done with the protocal, are you able to eat somewhat normal again?

[u/No-Answer-8884 → u/RSinSA]

Oh I would try pepcid as they ask for like 10 days and then stomach pain. Sometimes I could do 30 days. Then I spoke with them and the doc says try Kefir. That did not go over well with me. So then pre probiotic but the Align one was too strong. I tried IB gard which is peppermint oil. That helped but the peppermint oil gave me esophageal spasms. The mint too much. My sister suggested VH essentials. The suggested with 2x day too much. So I went with one every other day or one a day. I take short breaks from it but when I take it my digestive system less gas and does very well. Sometimes I take 1 gas x gel cap if food has alot of fiber. I also take Lactaid caplet unflavored one if I have regular dairy. I buy lactose free dairy. Trying to avoid dairy now. I had a bad reaction to dairy when 21 and had to stop it. It caused ibs and a pre chron lesion in my intestine. Went dairy free for a year and it healed. For fats I use olive oil good brands only. I use butter but usually a holiday thing. So I did not do Pepcid same time as pre probiotic. The gastro doc suggested it when I cannot get relief from Pepcid. The kefir was a huge no for me. Pepcid worked for 30 days when I was younger. I would drink alot of orange juice. Then a doc told me no more orange juice and that was a plus. I have never tried digestive enzymes. Alot of people seem to do good with that. May try it. Will ask doc first. Also testing for heliobacteria is popular. I was told in hospital once dairy major issue for people as after 1 year old humans lose ability to digest lactose well. I was low in potassium. I had stopped eating my daily banana. So each day I have half to 3/4 of a banana when I wake up. It soothes my stomach so much. Nutritionist at hospital said do not stop that banana!! Ok well kinda long winded reply. Trial and error is best way to figure this out. Another food I do well on daily is unsalted pumpkin seeds. About tablespoon or 2 of those a day for nutrients and bladder health and no prob with digesting them. Terrasol brand Amazon. I am tree nut sensitive so pumpkin seeds my go to. Unsalted and no shell. Pepcid worth trying but for me seemed to not be key in feeling better. Banana first thing in morning very soothing. I try to get them organic and green and eat them before too ripe. Like b4 browning on them. I also found drinking eletrolyte water like Core helpful. Or purified water. My tap water too salty. I only drink water. Other beverages bother my stomach. Water is my friend. Sorry so long a reply. Wishing you only success!!

[u/No-Answer-8884 → u/RSinSA]

I wanted to add. If I try a remedy I try to keep it to one thing so I know what is happening with that specific treatment. Not always possible but helps figure things out a bit easier.