I had this day mostly off today, and I’d planned to study Russian and then come home and write. Except that I got to spend the day with my little disease.
Because talking about medical stuff doesn’t interest many folks, and because I know people who know about my little disease, I’m going to hide the rest of this. For most people, aches and pains are no fun to discuss. But if you have GERD, or acid reflux disease, you might be interested to see if we have similar cycles.
Most of you who have known me for a long time remember way back in January of 2003, when, after taking an intensive batch of steroids, I developed reflux disease, lovingly given the acronym GERD. Yup, medical side effects do happen to real people. Over the years, I’ve learned to live with my reflux. I take omeprazole, the Prilosec generic in varying dosages, depending on my esophogal and interior rage. I watch what I eat and know my triggers. Most of the time, I forget I have reflux. This is a Good Thing (TM).
Therein is the problem. Reflux is a jealous disease. You can go for months without any trouble, but in order to show you who’s really pulling the strings, reflux strikes like some deadly inter-chestal cobra (yeah, I didn’t understand that either).
Yesterday was the Doctor Doom attack of reflux attacks, the biggest, baddest flare up I’ve had. Since I’d already had two fake heart attacks this spring, and I was having no trouble breathing, I pretty much knew what was up. One of the things I especially dislike about reflux is how disgusting it is in a variety of ways. Social pariah, me. We suffered, and went to bed, praying for a better morning.
Today, I’m having what’s like a reflux hangover–lingering heart burn, digestive difficulties, a craving for white bread and soothing cold foods. And I’m beat. All this explains why I didn’t do last night’s writing. I’m still hoping for today, but here’s that thing that happened this week to keep me from finishing chapter five. :/
I am lucky in a way. There are many chronic conditions I could have. This is a doozy when it’s bad, but it’s so seldom bad. It’s not life threatening. Just painful and messy. It can strike without warning and it can take you down for a couple of days, but it’s not malevolent. It only wants a little attention. I usually give it some Maalox and my undivided attention for a while.
I hope that if you’re healthy, you’re enjoying your writing time. I’m going to pretend that I’ve had the flu for a couple of days, and get back in the saddle as soon as I can. Tomorrow, I’m going away to celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary, but I’ll be back to host Meredith Holmes on Sunday or Monday.
Not about writing, darn it,
Catherine
Ack. Hope you feel better quickly! And Happy Anniversary. 🙂
Thanks on both counts.
Catherine
That sounds painfully familiar. I have GERD (thanks to a hiatal hernia the size of the Grand Canyon) and it really can feel like a heart attack. Or fire swallowing. It’s made me unable to eat most red meat. I had ONE BITE of prime rib at Christmas dinner and spent the next half hour stretched out on the floor, groaning.
I hope you feel better soon and can enjoy your anniversary!
For a while, there were a series of ads that suggested eating with reflux was like swallowing barbed wire or tacks. ;P
Red meat sounds like a rough trigger to have. Mine is a spice that is both in Thai and Mexican. Those can take me out.
The good news is I’ve been steadily improving all day, so I think anniversary is go. If I remember to eat bland food when we go out to dinner. Caution is currently my watch word.
Catherine
My trigger is fried foods. Icky Grease = Reflux
I love french fries, corn dogs, fried chicken….but I’ll pay later. Fortunately, my doctor got mine under control with Zantac (back when that was a prescription drug, beleive it or not (’94))
Those are apt analogies.
Spices trigger mine too. Also salsa, onions, soda… but red meat is by far the worst. Except small amounts of hamburger, for some reason.
This is by no means a recommendation, but when I know that an attack is coming (or has arrived) I find that darvocet works fast and keeps on working far longer than I rightfully can expect it to. YMMV.
Sorry to hear it, Catherine. Wishing you the best!
Take care and happy Anniversary, Cath!
BTW Graceland is a Mormon college. Darn, the Elvis connection is awkward now.