Labyrinth ~ n ~ a structure containing winding passages through which it is hard to find one's way.
Today's Word Goal ~ 800 words
Today's Coffee ~ Vermont Country Blend
I have now officially reached the age of weighing what's worse - the problem or the cure.
Two weeks ago I had my very first visit to the gastroenterologist for a few things, among my complaints? Hearburn after the gallons of coffee I drink daily and at night after the Lindt truffles I pop while watching my favorite TV shows. I should add here that I have NO intention of giving up either one of these routines.
To the doctor's credit I think he immediately picked up on my stubborn nature and didn't even mention taking a break from either offenders to see if my symptons went away. Instead he went straight for his trusty prescription pad and scribbled away. He also gave me a few samples to take home and try first.
The first side-effect on the bottle? Headaches. And they're not kidding!
Honestly, I'm not getting the point of these pills. The headache is so bad I want to gouge my eyes out with an ice-pick. Sure the heartburn is gone, but it went away with half-a-dozen tums too and at least I was getting calcium with those babies.
I go back to the doctor next Tueday to report on my progress - question - do I lie and tell him "hey those pills are great!" or do I tell him I'd rather stick with the fruity flavored tums?
And don't say to stop drinking coffee and eating chocolate. I'd rather die.
My dad had heartburn and acid reflux so bad he was using a prescription med and over the counter. And he'd still end up on his back in pain. He went through tums like they were candy. Finally, I imparted some advice, which to my surprise he took. You ready, here's something a doc won't tell you.
As you age your body makes less digestive enzymes so you tend to get heartburn and acid reflux like crazy. I know of two things that WONT hurt you, that you can try. First, organic apple cider vinegar. Put 2 tablespoons in a 1/4 cup of water and drink 1-2 times a day. Second, go to your local health food store and buy a digestive enzyme, they come in capsules.
My dad went off all his medicine, prescribed and not. The first time he did the enzymes he did so for about 60 days then he felt well enough to go off those too. He went from spending $50 + a month to $25 every 6months to a year. Now one month a year he'll take the enzymes and he's good for another whole year.
I say this so maybe he will realize massive headaches aren't good for you. R.M.Gilbert(Quote)
If you try this before you go back to your doctor, and it works, you can ask why he suggests a prescription you may have to take the rest of your life. Instead of something that will fix the problem from the start.
Twitter: DeboraDennis
says:
Awesome! I'll make the trip to the health food store this weekend and give it a try. Thanks
Debora(Quote)
I'm doing the apple cider vinegar, too.
But I would tell the doctor to stick those pills in the ying-yang. He could try another pill in the same family of drugs and you might not get that side effect. Coming from your friendly neighborhood pharmacist… Jennifer Shirk(Quote)
Another bad side effect of Tums: Too many can cause kidney stones even if you're not prone to them.
Bad side effect of Nexium: The docs don't tell you it's only "approved" for use for up to three months. I did the research after a friend of a friend got polyps in her stomach. She'd been taking nexium for YEARS and the doc said she was in the early stages of stomach cancer because of it.
Needless to say, I only take nexium now when it's absolute necessity! Stephanie(Quote)
Twitter: DeboraDennis
says:
Still thinking the cure is worse than the problem!
I'm going to try the natural approach first. Thanks for the input ladies!
Debora(Quote)
Oh good. I was hoping you would see it as helpful and not forceful. I’m not one to force my opinions, because you know what they say about those.
I hope it works out for you as well as it did for my dad. I do the apple cider vinegar thing and 1 to 2 times a year will do a full body cleanse. It is very helpful, I think anyway.
Take care. R.M.Gilbert(Quote)
That's tough! My husband has awful indigestion/reflux (cancer of the gi tract runs in his family), so I make him take probiotics (to counter act the TRASH he eats) and the papaya enzyme (we discovered it when I was pregnant and dying from the last trimester heartburn.)
The enzyme really helps, and I think the probiotic does, too. Good luck with all this and take care of yourself!! Harper(Quote)
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