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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: mike099 on July 20, 2013, 10:54:20 AM
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Being a middle aged man with some health issues, I thought that I would share and provide some insight:
Enlarged Prostrate - Symptoms can be trouble urinating and in my case feeling like my prostrate had a vice grip on it. I experienced this a decade ago before the RX meds, so after all of the tests I decided to try Saw Palmetto. Have been using it for years and it really does work for me. A buddy of mine at work got to talking one day and he mentioned taking the RX meds and they did not work too well. I mentioned the Saw Palmetto and he now takes it daily and ditched the RX. If anyone decides to try it, be sure to get the Standardized Extract. Not sure if we are allowed to mention brands, etc. so if anyone wants to know the brand I use PM me.
Ok, now let the jokes begin. I can take it. ;D
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Hmmm...you should never talk about your prostate and say "I can take it" in the same post..... :omg:..... :lol
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(https://24.media.tumblr.com/2d847be7fe60351c95be4bce62764bf6/tumblr_mg4j66Abt51rodz1bo1_500.jpg)
My prostate was givin me fits!
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May I ask how old you are? I'm 39 and luckily have not had any of the classic old-men issues yet.
Interestingly apparently an enlarged prostate only in very rare cases leads to prostate cancer. It's one of those things (like breast cancer) where they're slowly scaling back the extreme measures they used to take.
My old fogey issues currently are acid reflux. Ugh.
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My old fogey issues currently are acid reflux. Ugh.
This is my soapbox issue Rumby. I'm recovering from Esophogeal cancer caused by acid reflux. Hell...I never KNEW heartburn could cause cancer. If you've had it with any kind of persistence over time, get an endoscope. PLEASE!!
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What's a prostrate? Is it anything like a prostate?
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I'm 43 and my prostate is still in good shape. But I did have to have a kidney stone procedure a couple of years ago, and I wouldn't wish that in my worst enemy.
I've got the acid reflux thing...had it for almost 10 years actually. But a prilosec a day keeps the acid at bay. I went to a gastrowheveralist a few months ago just to make sure everything was ok, and he said not to worry, and that he'd probably want to see me from both ends (an endoscopy and colonoscopy) when I hit the big five oh.
Thaaaaaannkkksss... :-\
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What's a prostrate? Is it anything like a prostate?
Well, one is where you're down with your rear end stuck out, the other is stuck in your rear end, so...you take it from there, :)
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:rollin
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Hmmm...you should never talk about your prostate and say "I can take it" in the same post..... :omg:..... :lol
That is true. I can hardly take the annual digital exam. :o
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What's a prostrate? Is it anything like a prostate?
Oops! Sorry for the spelling. I typed the initial post after being in the sun all morning doing yard work.
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It's weird that they call it digital even though their finger goes in your analog.
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What's a prostrate? Is it anything like a prostate?
Oops! Sorry for the spelling. I typed the initial post after being in the sun all morning doing yard work.
So...you were pretty much prostrate after your busy morning, eh? :angel:
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May I ask how old you are? I'm 39 and luckily have not had any of the classic old-men issues yet.
Interestingly apparently an enlarged prostate only in very rare cases leads to prostate cancer. It's one of those things (like breast cancer) where they're slowly scaling back the extreme measures they used to take.
My old fogey issues currently are acid reflux. Ugh.
I am 55, but the issue came about in my early 40's. Agree with Crimson about the test if you have persistent reflux. Crimson , hoping you have a 100% recovery.
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Agreed on the acid reflux.
My DR had sent me to the gastrowhateveralist because the DR was concerned about some studies suggesting that Prilosec (Omeprezole) being the cause of bone deterioration if taken for more than 5-7 years straight. But when I went to the gastro DR, he said that the studies were rare, inconclusive, and in the worst case scenario, could be counteracted by boosting intake of Calcium. (which I needed to do anyway, because my Vitamin D levels were in the toilet) So he basically put it to me that my choices were a) a slight risk of osteoarthritis which could be avoided or b) a more definite risk of esophageal cancer if the acid reflux was not kept under control.
So that was a bit of a no brainer. I have already been on Omeprazole for 3 years, and the gastro DR gave me an RX to fill out a whole nother year.
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May I ask how old you are? I'm 39 and luckily have not had any of the classic old-men issues yet.
Enjoy sleeping through the night while you still can, cuz them days is about over. :lol
I get the occasional bouts of acid reflux, but because of the CKD I have to take NaHCO3 daily. I keep a jug of water/baking soda in the fridge, and a small glass of that will pretty much nip that problem pretty quickly.
And I thought DRE's were supposed to be a thing of the past. Last I heard, that particular form of cancer was so slow progressing that they had decided invasive predictors weren't worth the hassle.
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Sleep has been a bit more evasive lately....but I've chalked that up to stress at work.
I'm telling you, if you don't take it all the time (because you can build a tolerance to it) Ambien is a miracle drug for sleep.
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Agreed on the acid reflux.
My DR had sent me to the gastrowhateveralist because the DR was concerned about some studies suggesting that Prilosec (Omeprezole) being the cause of bone deterioration if taken for more than 5-7 years straight. But when I went to the gastro DR, he said that the studies were rare, inconclusive, and in the worst case scenario, could be counteracted by boosting intake of Calcium. (which I needed to do anyway, because my Vitamin D levels were in the toilet) So he basically put it to me that my choices were a) a slight risk of osteoarthritis which could be avoided or b) a more definite risk of esophageal cancer if the acid reflux was not kept under control.
So that was a bit of a no brainer. I have already been on Omeprazole for 3 years, and the gastro DR gave me an RX to fill out a whole nother year.
Vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon to those living in less sunny climes like the PNW. A regular supplement will help that and you might be amazed at how it helps your mood. It's no coincidence that the sun makes people feel better. It's not just the light, tho -- it's the vitamin D it helps our body manufacture.
Sunny D!!!! :metal :P
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Sleep has been a bit more evasive lately....but I've chalked that up to stress at work.
I'm telling you, if you don't take it all the time (because you can build a tolerance to it) Ambien is a miracle drug for sleep.
I take a Benadryl(generic) and it really puts me out. Of course if I drink too much coke or water, I will have to get up and go.
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I get maybe 6 hours of sleep.
I've got acid Reflex.
I've got this nasal drip that makes me cough all the time. (Seeing a nose ear and throat doctor and an allergist next month)
And I need to lose a ton of weight.
Crap.
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Crapping does help to lose weight... :angel:
I'm all over that Vitamin D now. At first, they had me on 50,000 units a week for 3 weeks just to get my levels back to normal. Now I just take a Calcium/Vit D supplement every day.
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Enjoy sleeping through the night while you still can, cuz them days is about over. :lol.
37 here....about the past six months or so I started the whole taking a leak at least once during the night. I am really settling in to this whole 'Dad' thing I guess. I remember as a teenager when I was staying up all night just laughing that my dad would get up and pee two or three times a night. Now......
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when I was in grad school I was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. Felt like I had to pee all the time - right after I had already gone, as soon as I would lay down in bed, etc. Drove me freaking crazy. The had me cut out all caffeine and try to some relaxation exercises (apparently stress causes that area to have issues). It must have worked because it eventually went away and hasn't returned, thank goodness. I just chalk it up to being stressed out doing grad-work.
Yeah, the exams . . . they are not fun.
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Epic bump!!
Had an endoscopy done this week...the procedure itself was as easy as I was told it would be. They put the round thing in your mouth (that the tube into your stomach goes through), hit you with the anesthesia through the IV they had put in a vein on top of your hand, and then next thing you know, you are waking up in recovery.
Anyway, I went because I have had nausea off and on for much of the last year, like that feeling you could throw up, although I never do. I can barely eat and my stomach will feel full and bloated. No ulcers, but I have a small hiatus hernia, which they said can be easily treated by losing some weight (I fluctuate between a 10-15 lb difference, and am currently on the higher end of that right now, so there's the extra incentive I needed). I don't have acid reflux, but apparently the acid does build up in my stomach, which causes the nausea sometimes, and that can be treated by taking Omeprazole once or twice a day shortly before eating. Hopefully, those do the trick. :coolio
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I'm 49, and it seems like I hit the f*****g wall. :)
This year, I had my first kidney stone (like most of you, I poo-poo'ed it too - "it can't be THAT bad" - until I found myself at 3:00 in the morning, lying on the bathroom floor on my side with a cold tile on my cheek, one bathmat under my torso, a thin strip of cold tile on my lower side, then more bathmat under my hips and thighs, and just moaning in agony and saying to myself "I'll never do this again... wait, what the f*** did I even DO?" Thank god it passed shortly after.
I have the heartburn, but since I quit coffee cold turkey about a month and a half ago, it has pretty much gone by the wayside. An occasional Prilosec (I've take ONE since the coffee left) takes care of bidness.
I too have to lose about 15 pounds. After quitting the coffee, believe it or not I dumped about 10 pounds in about three weeks (no Pop tarts or other carbs in the morning with the coffee is my guess, because I didn't do anything else!)
But not to be too personal here, the BIGGEST pain in the ass is - literally - the dreaded hemorrhoid. I've had them before, apparently mild, and short, but it seems like it's been a constant friend dropping by (again literally) for a visit every couple weeks or so. I had a colonoscopy about a year or so ago, but I'm going to try to get to my doctor (who's a male) this month and have a look see. I've hesitated, because the last time I had the "finger" it was there, but it was one of his PA's, and she was really cute (in a Cote de Pablo/Gal Gadot kind of way) and I was EXTREMELY self-conscious about that. Sorry, TMI - Too Much Ick. :)
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Kidney stones is one of those things I pray I never get.
I tried to get myself like to coffee, but it didn't take. Probably a good thing. :lol
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My bladder sucks. When I wake up, no matter what time I have to go and then I have a hard time getting back to sleep
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If I have to get up and pee in the middle of the night, I find it best to not look at the clock, that way, I don't start thinking about it, in which case I will then never back to sleep, since, for example, if it's 3, for example, I went to sleep at 11 and have to be up at 7, I will start thinking, "OMG, if I don't get back to sleep, I will have to work tomorrow on 4 hours of sleep," and then I'll just lay there tossing and turning and thinking about it. I just pee, crawl back into bed and fall back asleep.
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It's always less than an hour before I have to wake up and then work takes over my thoughts.
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I'm 52 and take Simvistatin for my Cholesterol and Nexium OTC for my Barret's disease.
So not horrible for my age. Beyond medicines, I really have no nagging aches or pain so I'm fortunate in that respect.
And my prostate is normal says the two fingers that go up my ass.
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I have a lot wrong with me, and I'm predisposed to a lot of things thanks to genetics. I apologize for not really being comfortable going into it in detail, but suffice it to say, I've been on meds for ages and will be forever. And I'm not really that old.
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It's always less than an hour before I have to wake up and then work takes over my thoughts.
Less than an hour isn't bad. I had a night like two years ago where I woke up at like 2:30 a.m. and could never get back to sleep. That is when I started the "never looking at the clock" thing, which works most of the time.
And my prostate is normal says the two fingers that go up my ass.
:tup :tup (pun intended)
I have a lot wrong with me, and I'm predisposed to a lot of things thanks to genetics. I apologize for not really being comfortable going into it in detail, but suffice it to say, I've been on meds for ages and will be forever. And I'm not really that old.
Damn. I try my best to not take any meds - there is nothing I take regularly, although I guess the Omeprazole will be now, but fortunately I have been told there are basically no side effects - but I know that for many people, they have no choice, since the alternative is way worse.
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Eh, I don't like being on meds, but I need then. Doc thinks so, aind if it keeps me healthy longer, I'll do it. Necessary for me. Mind you none of it it "abnormal" or particularly heinous. Just stuff I don't feel like talking about. Figure id commiserate even if enigmatically.
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Well, doctors are almost always going to way their patients on meds ($$$), but yeah, it is sometimes necessary.
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If you are 50 or over, I advise getting a colonoscopy. I had one at 50 and just had another one at 59. Clean except for a few polyps.
A guy I know waited and he had colon cancer that had already attached to the bladder- age 58. They got it all and he just finished his last round of chemo.
Check you insurance before you get one. For some insurance companies, the first one is free. My second one was not since I had polyps on the first one.
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Like many I have heartburn. It's pretty much directly related to how much and what I'm eating, so I know I just need to cut out certain foods. But those foods happen to be the foods I actually enjoy, so it's hard. I don't want to go on drugs. I'd rather reach a healthy point with eating, but cutting out anything fried, spicy, beer, or otherwise heartburn enducing sounds like no fun at all. I'll give it a ocuple more months of trying to eat healthy since the holidays are done now and if it doesn't go away I'll have to start taking something.
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In my case it's the predisone that I'm on which causes my acid problems. It also doesn't help with sleep, obviously, but does get me whatever sleep meds I want. Plenty of days I take nothing. Some days it's just melatonin. If I've got something like a headache or a sore neck I'll take a generic benedryl. Great for sleep but I always wake up tired. As for the heavy stuff, I take ambien if something has screwed up my sleep schedule. Long weekend, or often times just one where I've been sleeping in. If I do something that amps me up I'll take a restoril (temazapam). Trick is to know all of their strengths and weaknesses.
As for acid and diet, who the hell knows. I'm from Texas. Everything we eat is made from peppers. Taqueria green sauce will occasionally light me up, but for the most part I'm just used to it. I only know of two things that get me every time. One's a particular restaurant (something about their chili) and the other is a particular brand of tamales.
From the helpful hints from Barto desk:
For the people taking prilosec, don't waste money on OTC. Get a scrip for generic omeprazole. Quite a bit cheaper in my case. Also, see if you can get by taking one every other day. That works great for me, but I can't go any lower than that (I did try, though).
Also, while it's not much of a problem for me anymore, for the folks getting up in the middle of the night, consider a red nightlight (assuming you need light to do your thing). Not mucking up your nightvision makes it easier to get back to sleep.
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I don't intend on getting all crazy with my diet habits, but I will eat better to lose a few LBs and I will cut out stuff like O.J. and Powerade Zero, both of which it appear do not help my cause as far as acid buildup. And apparently drinking milk on a full or mostly full stomach is a really bad idea, so I will have to stop that, too.
Also, I am 5'11" and weigh 210 lbs, so it's not like I am grossly overweight. Just have a little extra now in the gut. Turning 40 made that harder to shed easily. :censored
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I'm 52 and take Simvistatin for my Cholesterol and Nexium OTC for my Barret's disease.
So not horrible for my age. Beyond medicines, I really have no nagging aches or pain so I'm fortunate in that respect.
And my prostate is normal says the two fingers that go up my ass.
What does it say about me that my first thought was "whose two fingers?"
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It means that Tick has succeeded with his post.
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Epic bump!!
Had an endoscopy done this week...the procedure itself was as easy as I was told it would be. They put the round thing in your mouth (that the tube into your stomach goes through), hit you with the anesthesia through the IV they had put in a vein on top of your hand, and then next thing you know, you are waking up in recovery.
Anyway, I went because I have had nausea off and on for much of the last year, like that feeling you could throw up, although I never do. I can barely eat and my stomach will feel full and bloated. No ulcers, but I have a small hiatus hernia, which they said can be easily treated by losing some weight (I fluctuate between a 10-15 lb difference, and am currently on the higher end of that right now, so there's the extra incentive I needed). I don't have acid reflux, but apparently the acid does build up in my stomach, which causes the nausea sometimes, and that can be treated by taking Omeprazole once or twice a day shortly before eating. Hopefully, those do the trick. :coolio
Sounds like functional dyspepsia or maybe ideopathic gastroparesis (absence of vomiting makes me think more FD than IG). Metoclopramide can help, but it's got some significant safety issues, so is typically only given for short term.
As far as omeprazole (and esomeprazole), chronic use is tricky, due to the bone issue and the increased stroke risk. I think it's too late to put the genie back in the bottle, but if FDA could take it off the shelf and make it prescription-only, they would. It's only approved for chronic use in erosive esophagitis (though it is obviously widely used beyond that).
I turned 40 over the summer, at this point the only issues are high blood pressure (which came out of nowhere, and it work-related), and slowing metabolism making weight-management trickier.
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And also with the Proton Pump Inhibitors, besides the osteoporosis risk, there's also the increased risk of clostridium difficile infection as well, since it thrives in the higher PH environment.
I would recommend trying Pepcid or Zantac first before going to a PPI as they are more of a middle of the road option, with Prilosec being for most severe cases and Tums being for mild cases. Might be worth trying Tums first as well, but from the sounds of it, you may needs something a bit stronger which is where the Pepcid or zantac comes in.
I would avoid the metoclopramide (reglan) unless absolutely necessary. Its dopamine receptor antagonism can lead to tardive dyskinesia and only has a 12 week cap, so alternatives should be pursued. At the end of the day it has have similar mechanism of action to anti-psychotic medication.
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I would avoid the metoclopramide (reglan). Its dopamine receptor antagonism can lead to tardive dyskinesia and only has a 12 week cap, so alternatives should be pursued. At the end of the day it has have similar mechanism of action to anti-psychotic medication.
I see I'm not the only pharma guy on here! I'm actually the R&D program lead on a gastroparesis drug.
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That's very cool.
I am 4 months aways from graduation, then I'll be a legit pharmacist. Until then, I just play one on TV ;)
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Epic bump!!
Had an endoscopy done this week...the procedure itself was as easy as I was told it would be. They put the round thing in your mouth (that the tube into your stomach goes through), hit you with the anesthesia through the IV they had put in a vein on top of your hand, and then next thing you know, you are waking up in recovery.
Anyway, I went because I have had nausea off and on for much of the last year, like that feeling you could throw up, although I never do. I can barely eat and my stomach will feel full and bloated. No ulcers, but I have a small hiatus hernia, which they said can be easily treated by losing some weight (I fluctuate between a 10-15 lb difference, and am currently on the higher end of that right now, so there's the extra incentive I needed). I don't have acid reflux, but apparently the acid does build up in my stomach, which causes the nausea sometimes, and that can be treated by taking Omeprazole once or twice a day shortly before eating. Hopefully, those do the trick. :coolio
Sounds like functional dyspepsia or maybe ideopathic gastroparesis (absence of vomiting makes me think more FD than IG). Metoclopramide can help, but it's got some significant safety issues, so is typically only given for short term.
Looking that up, it sounds like that is what it could be, which leads to the question is, how is it that you knew that right away, but my regular MD and the gastroenterologist I saw had no clue? I get that doctors love the idea of various procedures to try and find the problem, making us spend lots of money, but it's crazy that neither ever uttered those words.
Apparently, the small hiatus hernia I have can easily be fixed by losing a little weight, so that is the immediate goal.
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Epic bump!!
Had an endoscopy done this week...the procedure itself was as easy as I was told it would be. They put the round thing in your mouth (that the tube into your stomach goes through), hit you with the anesthesia through the IV they had put in a vein on top of your hand, and then next thing you know, you are waking up in recovery.
Anyway, I went because I have had nausea off and on for much of the last year, like that feeling you could throw up, although I never do. I can barely eat and my stomach will feel full and bloated. No ulcers, but I have a small hiatus hernia, which they said can be easily treated by losing some weight (I fluctuate between a 10-15 lb difference, and am currently on the higher end of that right now, so there's the extra incentive I needed). I don't have acid reflux, but apparently the acid does build up in my stomach, which causes the nausea sometimes, and that can be treated by taking Omeprazole once or twice a day shortly before eating. Hopefully, those do the trick. :coolio
Sounds like functional dyspepsia or maybe ideopathic gastroparesis (absence of vomiting makes me think more FD than IG). Metoclopramide can help, but it's got some significant safety issues, so is typically only given for short term.
Looking that up, it sounds like that is what it could be, which leads to the question is, how is it that you knew that right away, but my regular MD and the gastroenterologist I saw had no clue? I get that doctors love the idea of various procedures to try and find the problem, making us spend lots of money, but it's crazy that neither ever uttered those words.
Apparently, the small hiatus hernia I have can easily be fixed by losing a little weight, so that is the immediate goal.
Well, it's complicated. I know it because I work on multiple drugs for GI transit disorders. But what I now and what doctors know will be a bit different, especially when it comes to something like FD. FDA hasn't really defined down FD to a point where it's a real indication...and therefore there are no treatments for it yet (that said, I expect there will be a guidance on this in the next couple of years, and am proactively planning for it for one of my programs). Thing is, your symptoms are what they are, regardless of what it's called...calling it FD, or calling it a combo of nausea, bloating, early satiety, etc. really doesn't make a difference in how it's treated. It's really a collection of symptoms rather that something with an identified root case that can be addressed.
You mentioned procedures...has the gastro suggested scintigraphy? The endoscopy is pretty standard to try to understand if there is an observable cause in situations like yours.
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No. He wants me to get an ultrasound for my gall bladder, too, but that seems like overkill. And making me spend more money.
The results of the endoscopy were:
Small hiatus hernia.
Erythematous mucous in the antrum. Biopsied. (results early this week, he said)
Normal examined Duodenum.
I typed those directly from the paperwork I was given.
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No. He wants me to get an ultrasound for my gall bladder, too, but that seems like overkill. And making me spend more money.
The results of the endoscopy were:
Small hiatus hernia.
Erythematous mucous in the antrum. Biopsied. (results early this week, he said)
Normal examined Duodenum.
I typed those directly from the paperwork I was given.
On a quick look, the gall bladder test was likely inspired by the mucous in the antrum, test is to rule out gastritis. But now we're getting out of my wheelhouse...most of what i know is about where the goalposts are for getting drugs approved (both safety and efficacy), rather than diagnosis in real, actual people.
Back to the thread title, stepped on the scale this morning, was pissed. Weight has continued to go up, despite working out a lot. Think I may to the "ten week challenge" at my kickboxing place, just just go balls-out and drop about 15 pounds. Stupid stress hormones....
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He recommended the gall bladder ultrasound the same day we scheduled the endoscopy, and he seemed put off that I hadn't scheduled it yet, but I wanted to see what came back on this first.
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Well Kev... the positive is your results seem clear of Esophageal Cancer. Or for that matter you seem to be clear of the pre-cursors. No Barrett's or low/High grade dysplasia. I'm now 4 years cancer free, Esophageal Cancer. Definitely something I would hate for anyone to go through.
My newest "Fogey" issue is my heart. Just spent 5 days in the hospital 2 months ago for cardiac issues. End result was getting a couple arterial stents put into my heart. Thing is.... until I hit 49 I was in fantastic shape. No serious issues whatsoever. Now? I feel like a shipwreck...LOL. Point is, be aware of your health issues guys, and don't ignore any warning signs. I never thought I would have these issues so young, being in relatively fit shape.
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But not to be too personal here, the BIGGEST pain in the ass is - literally - the dreaded hemorrhoid. I've had them before, apparently mild, and short, but it seems like it's been a constant friend dropping by (again literally) for a visit every couple weeks or so. I had a colonoscopy about a year or so ago, but I'm going to try to get to my doctor (who's a male) this month and have a look see. I've hesitated, because the last time I had the "finger" it was there, but it was one of his PA's, and she was really cute (in a Cote de Pablo/Gal Gadot kind of way) and I was EXTREMELY self-conscious about that. Sorry, TMI - Too Much Ick. :)
Well since you went this route.... i had to get anal surgery about a year ago. I had a fistula abscess that needed to be removed. Anyway, after the surgery and all, it turns out now I have a hemorrhoid problem. The doc said it was likely due to the surgery and no big deal. I mean, for the most part it is not a problem at all. However, going to the butt doctor and getting the finger up the butt was maybe one of my worst life experiences and the doc constantly telling me to relax while the nurse looks at me getting penetrated by another man was a sight/sound I never wish to experience again. I was told to come back for regular check ups and I have not. Well I haven't needed to really. A high fiber diet really helps with the hemorroid and I only notice pain when I eat a lot of spicy foods or a drink a lot of alcohol without eating appropriately.
As for the rest of this thread, I dread getting older. I could see myself having an enlarging prostate as over time I go to the bathroom more quickly, but it hasn't gotten to the point where I go throughout the night or anyhting (maybe once at night every few nights, but I also usually sleep with water next to me that I drink throughout the night). And any more serious anal searching is not something I want to deal with... or even worse, sticking something inside my dick :censored
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My newest "Fogey" issue is my heart. Just spent 5 days in the hospital 2 months ago for cardiac issues. End result was getting a couple arterial stents put into my heart. Thing is.... until I hit 49 I was in fantastic shape. No serious issues whatsoever. Now? I feel like a shipwreck...LOL. Point is, be aware of your health issues guys, and don't ignore any warning signs. I never thought I would have these issues so young, being in relatively fit shape.
My father had a double that became a triple angioplasty back in 1998 (they intended to place two stents, but wound up finding two blockages in one artery so, 3 stents instead). Apparently he had been having angina attacks for weeks and just ignored them. When he went for a checkup his doc gave him a stress test and he failed abyssmally so there went that. Not long after, he was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. He is not very good at taking care of himself, and swears up and down to this day that the only reason he had the heart problems was because he smoked for 20 years til he was almost 40. He refuses to count his diet and weight as contirbuting factors. You are absoutely right – ignore nothing.
I guess I should really quit being cryptic and just talk about my issues. I suffer from depression and anxiety, GERD, IBS, and high cholesterol. And I'm only 34. Both of my parents and all of my grandparents have or had high cholesterol, so I definitely have the predisposition to it. My diet has done up and down over the years but my levels are under control on medication. My IBS is controlled with escitalopram (Lexapro for brand name) and that doubles for my depression. I supplement the escitalopram with bupropion (Wellbutrin for brand) and it also helps my depression, to a degree. It helps me better manage things, and I've noticed very few negative side effects personally. They help a lot. For my anxiety, I have lorazepam that I take as needed. I try not to lean on it too much, but it's there if I need it. I take Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) for my GERD, and it works wonders for me.
The latest curveball thrown my way was low T. It's something that really hit me hard because it just felt like yet another thing wrong with me, even if it was out of my control. After several months of different things and tests, assuring my pituitary gland was normal and all that, biweekly T injections have been keeping my levels right where they should be. It's a very personal thing for me, something I'm really not comfortable sharing in any way but I felt kinda like an ass for not saying stuff before.
Overall, I'm actually in good health, despite needing to lose weight. Doc isn't too worried about me, and currently other than my diet, the best thing I could do for myself is find a therapist. I've been stupidly resistant to doing it, but I think I really should.
There, sorry. -_-
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My father had a double that became a triple angioplasty back in 1998 (they intended to place two stents, but wound up finding two blockages in one artery so, 3 stents instead). Apparently he had been having angina attacks for weeks and just ignored them. When he went for a checkup his doc gave him a stress test and he failed abyssmally so there went that. Not long after, he was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. He is not very good at taking care of himself, and swears up and down to this day that the only reason he had the heart problems was because he smoked for 20 years til he was almost 40. He refuses to count his diet and weight as contirbuting factors. You are absoutely right – ignore nothing.
I guess I should really quit being cryptic and just talk about my issues. I suffer from depression and anxiety, GERD, IBS, and high cholesterol. And I'm only 34. Both of my parents and all of my grandparents have or had high cholesterol, so I definitely have the predisposition to it. My diet has done up and down over the years but my levels are under control on medication. My IBS is controlled with escitalopram (Lexapro for brand name) and that doubles for my depression. I supplement the escitalopram with bupropion (Wellbutrin for brand) and it also helps my depression, to a degree. It helps me better manage things, and I've noticed very few negative side effects personally. They help a lot. For my anxiety, I have lorazepam that I take as needed. I try not to lean on it too much, but it's there if I need it. I take Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) for my GERD, and it works wonders for me.
The latest curveball thrown my way was low T. It's something that really hit me hard because it just felt like yet another thing wrong with me, even if it was out of my control. After several months of different things and tests, assuring my pituitary gland was normal and all that, biweekly T injections have been keeping my levels right where they should be. It's a very personal thing for me, something I'm really not comfortable sharing in any way but I felt kinda like an ass for not saying stuff before.
Overall, I'm actually in good health, despite needing to lose weight. Doc isn't too worried about me, and currently other than my diet, the best thing I could do for myself is find a therapist. I've been stupidly resistant to doing it, but I think I really should.
There, sorry. -_-
Well, you have your plate full, especially for how young you are. Unlike your pops, you seem to be doing your best to be pro-active and not just sticking your head in the sand. That's half the battle! Kudos Brother!
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Agreed. Being pro-active. regarding physical or mental help, is always a good thing. Heck, I am in a good place mentally, despite a few health issues (the stomach thing, apnea), but I still go to a professional counselor every few months just for a chat. I've been going to her off and on for like 6-7 years. And I have no shame in saying that. Good mental health is underrated. :biggrin:
Well Kev... the positive is your results seem clear of Esophageal Cancer. Or for that matter you seem to be clear of the pre-cursors. No Barrett's or low/High grade dysplasia. I'm now 4 years cancer free, Esophageal Cancer. Definitely something I would hate for anyone to go through.
Interesting. Good to hear, for sure. and glad to hear you are cancer free!! :tup :tup
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Agreed. Being pro-active. regarding physical or mental help, is always a good thing. Heck, I am in a good place mentally, despite a few health issues (the stomach thing, apnea), but I still go to a professional counselor every few months just for a chat. I've been going to her off and on for like 6-7 years. And I have no shame in saying that. Good mental health is underrated. :biggrin:
Interesting. Good to hear, for sure. and glad to hear you are cancer free!! :tup :tup
That's actually a really good idea to do counseling appointments a couple/few times a year. It's the insurance that usually doesn't cover it for me that's the killer...but I'll have to research it a bit.
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I still go to a professional counselor every few months just for a chat. I've been going to her off and on for like 6-7 years. And I have no shame in saying that. Good mental health is underrated. :biggrin:
That's good. I think about how Tony Soprano viewed going to Dr. Melfi as a sign of weakness, but that is so not true in reality. I think people who see therapists/psychologist/psychiatrist on their own will are probably pretty strong people.
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I don't have a block over any feeling of weakness. I guess you could call it skepticism. I've tried mental calming techniques, meditation, stuff like that, and have had little to no success. I guess I'm afraid even a professional won't be able to help me, won't be able to teach me how to better cope. Like, if I've tried and failed for my entire life, how will someone else be able to tell what the right thing to do is? Not that they are ineffective, but that I am this impenetrable thing that is somehow resistant to typical techniques.
It's irrational not to try, I know, I just have this block about it; I haven't made a call yet.
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Like, if I've tried and failed for my entire life, how will someone else be able to tell what the right thing to do is?
Because they can offer a different perspective. Although I am not totally sure such a person is there to tell you the right thing to do. Have you seen someone before though? You said you've tried other methods that haven't worked so what harm is done by trying something new?
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You're right. I just have to get through this block and pick up the phone to call someone.
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I don't have a block over any feeling of weakness. I guess you could call it skepticism. I've tried mental calming techniques, meditation, stuff like that, and have had little to no success. I guess I'm afraid even a professional won't be able to help me, won't be able to teach me how to better cope. Like, if I've tried and failed for my entire life, how will someone else be able to tell what the right thing to do is? Not that they are ineffective, but that I am this impenetrable thing that is somehow resistant to typical techniques.
It's irrational not to try, I know, I just have this block about it; I haven't made a call yet.
I should tell you I agreed - kicking and screaming - to see a therapist as part of a marriage thing back in 2006, 2007, and, with a few gaps here and there, I have been seeing a therapist regularly, since. Currently, I see her once a week, almost like clockwork.
Look, it's pretty simple: if you go in expecting to fail, I can pretty much assure you it's going to fail.
I grew up in an old-school Eastern European housefold. Therapy was for nutjobs. For "normal people" like us, it was just a matter of toughening up, no one needs to know our bidnis. One of the things that amazes me even 10 years later, is just how NOT true those statements are. We may have differences in terms of what our beliefs are, or what our predilections are, but there are remarkable consistencies and patterns to the human brain. No, it's not an exact science ("You have 2.6 microliters of flambergaster in your cranial fluid, therefore you are 18% bipolar and 64 degrees of obsessive compulsive."). But, with HUGE caveat that you only get out what you put in - in terms of honesty, disclosure, and self-awareness - there are tons of benefits to having someone to talk to.
Please give it an honest, open-minded try. What's the worst that happens?
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Like, if I've tried and failed for my entire life, how will someone else be able to tell what the right thing to do is?
Because they can offer a different perspective.
Totally this. The counseling I've went through revealed things to me that seem like 'no kidding' moments.....like, "why didn't I see that?" and in my case being that I was dealing with sexual abuse my therapist basically said plainly that I was unable to see some of these revelations due to me being the victim in the situation. I literally needed a trained professional to help me realize the most obvious of things.
I have ZERO regrets about seeking counseling and highly recommend it.
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Like, if I've tried and failed for my entire life, how will someone else be able to tell what the right thing to do is?
Because they can offer a different perspective.
Totally this. The counseling I've went through revealed things to me that seem like 'no kidding' moments.....like, "why didn't I see that?" and in my case being that I was dealing with sexual abuse my therapist basically said plainly that I was unable to see some of these revelations due to me being the victim in the situation. I literally needed a trained professional to help me realize the most obvious of things.
I have ZERO regrets about seeking counseling and highly recommend it.
I can take this example outside of therapy. Just at work, if I am frustrated with solving an issue, sometimes it helps to ask someone else like my coworker to take a look. Everyone sees things from their own, different, perspective. And I can't tell you how many times my coworker would be like "Oh yea its simple" and boom it's done and I sit back and wonder "wow how did I not see that?" and it's because you get yourself into tunnel vision and sometimes its hard to see from different angles. I feel like therapy can be the EXACT same thing, it's right in front of you but our vision gets blurry because we are so involved in it that we can't see it.
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Once I get up the gumption to call, I will have every hope in the world that it will work. I will be scared of it failing. I realize I need to do it. Just have to unwrinkle my brain a bit to kick myself in the ass.
Thanks guys.
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It is more than just perspective, though, even if that is a big part of it. There ARE patterns to the human brain. There are consistencies. Yes, we're all individuals, we're all unique in our own way, yadda yadda yadda, but there are still uniformities. It's not a coincidence that, for example, things start as one thing and often manifest as anger. So a trained therapist can often walk back the cat to get past the anger and other "base" emotions, and get to the heart of what's at hand.
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The key to seeing a trained professional is not just getting up the nerve to do it, which can be a hill to climb, but finding a good one. I was lucky to find one who is really good.
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The key to seeing a trained professional is not just getting up the nerve to do it, which can be a hill to climb, but finding a good one. I was lucky to find one who is really good.
It's funny cause the first time I saw a therapist it was because my relationship with my ex-fiance was getting to the point of ending and she wanted to save it and since she is a psychologist she thought we should see someone. I was very much against it because I just knew the relationship was over and not going to be saved, but I gave in and we went. It was one session together to kind of get to know us and then we each did a session alone and then one more session together.... but I actually kind of enjoyed it. I just told him how I felt, he pretty much called me a pussy for not just breaking up with her and at the end I told her so to which her response was "well he was just a bad therapist, let's see someone else" which never happened and we eventually broke up... but a little later I ended up going going back to this therapist for other reasons and I think he's great.
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Well, that's part of the intangible; a therapist that doesn't tell you what you want to hear is not a "bad therapist". A therapist that doesn't listen or isn't empathetic, or isn't moving you toward YOUR goals (YOURS not theirs, or your partners) is a "bad therapist".
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Just a heads up regarding PPIs (a la omeprazole), there's some new data suggesting a link between long term use and Alzheimer's dementia. Causation hasn't been proven or anything but I think I recall at least one study from last year that showed a strong association.
Barto is doing what I suggested my dad do as well: just drop your dose/frequency as low as you can go with your symptoms reasonably controlled. Alternatively, consider an H2 blocker instead (ranitidine, Pepcid, etc), although anecdotally, I think PPIs tend to provide better symptomatic relief which makes sense given their mechanism of action.
-J
EDIT:
Re: "functional dyspepsia" is what is known as a diagnosis of exclusion, i.e. your regular doctor/GI doctor are probably trying to rule out more serious, potentially life threatening causes of your symptoms first. I'm not a family doc, but that's fairly standard practice.
Re: cute chick doing your rectal exam, would you rather be a little embarrassed in front of her, or get stuck with a dude with much bigger fingers? Hard decision for some, luckily you're not usually given a choice. :lol
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The tricky part of figuring out a lower prilosec dose is the tendency towards a rebound. When I got to one every 3 days I started feeling pretty crappy and went back to two, but I can't say for sure that it wasn't just a temporary rebound.
And I'll check with my docs about H2 blockers. I think that's what they initially put me on after the transplant but after I called an bitched that it wasn't working they said to give prilosec a shot. However, at that point I was taking 6x the amount of prednisone. Now that I'm on a relatively small maintenance dose the H2 blocker might work better for me. I've never been all that comfortable taking the omeprazole long term.
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I've played around with how long I can go with takingomeprazole and it's every other day for me unless I know spicyfood is in the future.
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The tricky part of figuring out a lower prilosec dose is the tendency towards a rebound. When I got to one every 3 days I started feeling pretty crappy and went back to two, but I can't say for sure that it wasn't just a temporary rebound.
And I'll check with my docs about H2 blockers. I think that's what they initially put me on after the transplant but after I called an bitched that it wasn't working they said to give prilosec a shot. However, at that point I was taking 6x the amount of prednisone. Now that I'm on a relatively small maintenance dose the H2 blocker might work better for me. I've never been all that comfortable taking the omeprazole long term.
Just curious, what's your maintenance anti rejection regimen. Cyclosporine? Tacrolimus?, Mycophenolate?, azathioprine?
The only reason I ask, is that PPI's can decrease your Tacrolimus level. Not that you can't take a PPI, its just that consistency is usually encouraged. That's one thing to consider if you are in fact on Tac.
And that's just a good rule in general for all men reading this thread. H2 blockers like zantac or PPI's like prilosec can effect absorption of other medications, so its usually encouraged to separate them from taking of other drugs by 2 hours.
PPI's really shouldn't be used chronically, despite that fact that a majority of people are, unfortunately. If people are experiencing acid reflux AKA heart burn, then a change of diet is encouraged (or moderation at the very least) and also its recommended not to lie down for at least 45 mins after eating. I am guilty of that one, but staying upright after eating a heartburn inducing meal will help.
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I'm on tacrolimus and mycophenolate sodium (Myfortic). As I understand it each transplanting network has its preferred regimen and that's Baylor's. My cousin had hers done in Cali and she's on cyclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil (cellcept). Suppose it could also be a difference in the time frame. She had her transplant 5 or so years ahead of me and the newer meds might not have been as accepted. In any case, I'm a relatively small dose of tacrolimus and tested pretty regularly. They don't let me go more than 4 months without coming in to get tested, and usually lobby for 3. Just raised me from 4 to 5 mg qd the other day, in fact.
And your point is why I'm pretty cautious about changing my meds. There are other counteractions, as well. One of my blood pressure meds has also been known to be problematic. Don't recall if it's an interaction or renal toxicity, but there was some issue. And of course in one of the great ironies, renal toxicity is one of the side effects of tacrolimus. I've pretty much got cirque de sole going on in my blood stream at any given moment.
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And that's just a good rule in general for all men reading this thread. H2 blockers like zantac or PPI's like prilosec can effect absorption of other medications, so its usually encouraged to separate them from taking of other drugs by 2 hours.
So THAT'S why my erection only lasted about two hours, not four. Dammit.
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Type 2 Diabetes for me, controlled with diet, exercise, and metformin (generic for glucophage). Of course, I don't get enough exercise and my diet is borderline atrocious.
Also, my eyesight is about as bad as it can be without being legally blind (I have astigmatism). Most people don't know because I usually wear contacts. My glasses are like Coke bottles.
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Also, my eyesight is about as bad as it can be without being legally blind (I have astigmatism). Most people don't know because I usually wear contacts. My glasses are like Coke bottles.
I was horrifically nearsighted, probably as bad as you are, but without astigmatism. Wore glasses for 21 years, practically lived in contacts for 15 years. However, I had LASIK in 2009 and it was one of the single best things I've ever done for myself.
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Also, my eyesight is about as bad as it can be without being legally blind (I have astigmatism). Most people don't know because I usually wear contacts. My glasses are like Coke bottles.
This is my situation as well. I've actually gotten to the point where the brand of contacts that I wear doesn't make toric lenses with a strong enough prescription for me, so my vision isn't perfect. Hopefully my eyes don't get any worse for a while, because right now it's not enough of a difference to be a big deal, and I like my contacts (and the price). I'm still waiting for the costs to go down on some of the newer types of eye surgery, because my doctor said that's what they would recommend for my eyes, as opposed to the traditional LASIK procedure.
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I'm a few years shy of 40, but I'm already discovering that my body doesn't work like it used to when I was younger. Sitting with bad posture or a lot or bending over and using muscles that don't often get used (i.e. doing yardwork) will wreak havoc on my lower back. It then takes a few days to let the stiffness subside.
Stretching would probably help, as would more frequent exercise (I sit for 12 hours each weekday, between my actual desk job and a total of 3 hours commuting), but that's tough with a baby in the house.
Getting older sucks. :tdwn
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Anyone ever use - I don't know what they're called - "bifocal" contact lenses? I'm at the point where I don't wear my contacts as much because the switching from near to far takes too much conscious effort.
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So like a few others, I seem to have developed a bit of an acid reflux problem as of the last month or two. I'm almost certain it's directly related to putting on a few extra pounds lately. Overeating or drinking a decent amount of water when there's any food in my stomach seems to really set it off. I'm sipping on some water with baking soda right now and seeing what that does for me.
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Anyone ever use - I don't know what they're called - "bifocal" contact lenses? I'm at the point where I don't wear my contacts as much because the switching from near to far takes too much conscious effort.
I don't think I'd ever wear contacts, but the near-far thing really drives me up the wall at this point. I really have no idea how the hell to see things anymore. Maybe I'll look into bifocals that are uncorrected/readers.
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I'm just at the "buying reading glasses" faze right now. I fell like my eyes are drier than ever before.
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So like a few others, I seem to have developed a bit of an acid reflux problem as of the last month or two. I'm almost certain it's directly related to putting on a few extra pounds lately. Overeating or drinking a decent amount of water when there's any food in my stomach seems to really set it off. I'm sipping on some water with baking soda right now and seeing what that does for me.
Get some Omeprazole and take it once a day; you can get it over the counter. I always take it before what will be my biggest meal of the day, and I have had almost no issues in the last month (see page 2 of this thread for my issues). Worth a shot, and it is considered a pretty safe pill to take (and has had no side effects with me). Just make sure you take it about 45-60 minutes before you are going to eat (not after).
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The risks with Omeprazole are over long term use I believe. It's not meant to be taken everyday forever.
For my reflux I am trying hard to determine what foods to avoid so I can hopefully avoid having heartburn that way. I spent two weeks eating nothing but vegetables, fruit and meat with nothing processed and I had virtually no heartburn. I also avoided spicy and acidic foods and drank no alcohol. As a fun side effect I lost 8 lbs in those two weeks as well. Now I'm slowly adding things back in to see what gives me heartburn. So far so good. I haven't added wheat, alcohol, sugar or processed food back in yet. I'd really like to avoid taking a drug, but I want to make sure I'm able to enjoy eating as well. Those two weeks were basically eating for nutrition only and it kind of sucked.
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Has anyone with frequent heartburn tried treating themselves for low stomach acid? It seems counter-intuitive, but apparently low stomach acid can cause heartburn and is fairly common. You can buy HCl capsules to take before a meal. If you take them and it helps your reflux, you have low stomach acid. If it makes your reflux worse, that's not your problem. It didn't work for me, but I've heard of it working for others. Worth a try if you have reflux and want to avoid drugs.
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The risks with Omeprazole are over long term use I believe. It's not meant to be taken everyday forever.
For my reflux I am trying hard to determine what foods to avoid so I can hopefully avoid having heartburn that way. I spent two weeks eating nothing but vegetables, fruit and meat with nothing processed and I had virtually no heartburn. I also avoided spicy and acidic foods and drank no alcohol. As a fun side effect I lost 8 lbs in those two weeks as well. Now I'm slowly adding things back in to see what gives me heartburn. So far so good. I haven't added wheat, alcohol, sugar or processed food back in yet. I'd really like to avoid taking a drug, but I want to make sure I'm able to enjoy eating as well. Those two weeks were basically eating for nutrition only and it kind of sucked.
Right, I have no intention of taking it all the time forever. I am working on losing a few lbs (still around 205 and want to get down to about 190-195), and then I will see if I can get away with not taking it that much. I hate taking any kind of medicine, too, but while going through this phase of trying to get down a little bit of weight to get rid of the hiatus hernia, I will deal with taking this once a day for the time being.
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The risks with Omeprazole are over long term use I believe. It's not meant to be taken everyday forever.
For my reflux I am trying hard to determine what foods to avoid so I can hopefully avoid having heartburn that way. I spent two weeks eating nothing but vegetables, fruit and meat with nothing processed and I had virtually no heartburn. I also avoided spicy and acidic foods and drank no alcohol. As a fun side effect I lost 8 lbs in those two weeks as well. Now I'm slowly adding things back in to see what gives me heartburn. So far so good. I haven't added wheat, alcohol, sugar or processed food back in yet. I'd really like to avoid taking a drug, but I want to make sure I'm able to enjoy eating as well. Those two weeks were basically eating for nutrition only and it kind of sucked.
Right, I have no intention of taking it all the time forever. I am working on losing a few lbs (still around 205 and want to get down to about 190-195), and then I will see if I can get away with not taking it that much. I hate taking any kind of medicine, too, but while going through this phase of trying to get down a little bit of weight to get rid of the hiatus hernia, I will deal with taking this once a day for the time being.
I think I'm in a very similar boat to you. I think I have hiatal hernia as well, though never officially diagnosed. Losing a few lbs seems to help and I'd like to lose 10 more (I'm also at 205 and would like to be 195). It's certainly not a bad idea to do the 2 week Omeprazole treatment and see if you can heal things enough down there to make things better afterwards, especially in conjunction with other lifestyle changes. I've done that in the past and it helped for a bit, but the heartburn always came back since I never kept up the with the lifestyle changes I initiated. Good luck to you!
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Anyone ever use - I don't know what they're called - "bifocal" contact lenses? I'm at the point where I don't wear my contacts as much because the switching from near to far takes too much conscious effort.
I don't think I'd ever wear contacts, but the near-far thing really drives me up the wall at this point. I really have no idea how the hell to see things anymore. Maybe I'll look into bifocals that are uncorrected/readers.
Kind of the same issue here, I got progressive bifocals (without the line) and after a few weeks of getting used to them, they're working wonderful. My eye issue is breakdown of lens flexibility, combined with one of my eyes being a bit better than the other with the struggle between the two causing headaches.
As to the acid reflux thang, I'm on a medication (too lazy to go to the bathroom and find out which) that is a slightly stronger prilosec that I take daily.
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The risks with Omeprazole are over long term use I believe. It's not meant to be taken everyday forever.
For my reflux I am trying hard to determine what foods to avoid so I can hopefully avoid having heartburn that way. I spent two weeks eating nothing but vegetables, fruit and meat with nothing processed and I had virtually no heartburn. I also avoided spicy and acidic foods and drank no alcohol. As a fun side effect I lost 8 lbs in those two weeks as well. Now I'm slowly adding things back in to see what gives me heartburn. So far so good. I haven't added wheat, alcohol, sugar or processed food back in yet. I'd really like to avoid taking a drug, but I want to make sure I'm able to enjoy eating as well. Those two weeks were basically eating for nutrition only and it kind of sucked.
Right, I have no intention of taking it all the time forever. I am working on losing a few lbs (still around 205 and want to get down to about 190-195), and then I will see if I can get away with not taking it that much. I hate taking any kind of medicine, too, but while going through this phase of trying to get down a little bit of weight to get rid of the hiatus hernia, I will deal with taking this once a day for the time being.
I think I'm in a very similar boat to you. I think I have hiatal hernia as well, though never officially diagnosed. Losing a few lbs seems to help and I'd like to lose 10 more (I'm also at 205 and would like to be 195). It's certainly not a bad idea to do the 2 week Omeprazole treatment and see if you can heal things enough down there to make things better afterwards, especially in conjunction with other lifestyle changes. I've done that in the past and it helped for a bit, but the heartburn always came back since I never kept up the with the lifestyle changes I initiated. Good luck to you!
Thanks, you too!
There actually had been a day here and a day there where I didn't take the Omeprazole (usually if I know I am going to eat healthy and not something that I think will aggravate the issue), so as I slowly lose more lbs, my hope is too slowly take it less and ween myself off of it.
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The PPI in the short term to get things under control is totally fine. It absolutely is the long term that causes the problems, and the guidelines only recommend for short time use.
For anyone not wanting to take a drug. Here are the recommended "Life style modifications" which can help
1. Weight loss, which is probably the most effective.
2. Cut back on the following foods: Chocolate, caffeine, Acidic/spicy food, and carbonated drinks.
3. avoid eating meals with high fat content at least 3 hours before going to bed
4. Don't lay down after eating for at least 40 mins
5. They make bed wedges, that will elevate you while sleeping, so you are not completely on your back. (if you are a back sleeper)
*Also, one last piece of pharmacist snapple facts. Do not ever take nexium or prilosec with Plavix (clopidogrel), which is a blood thinner drug. The prilosec and nexium prevent the plavix from working.
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I've been getting a lot less acid reflux since i quit sugar and bread and cut down on coffee after 6pm...
But I found the best thing to fight it is Soda Water. Antacid liquid doesn't always touch it - even if I knock it back.
I found that carbonated water - especially if it has Bicarbonate in - is the best thing.
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In other news - I was using Deep Heat Spray on my leg for a sprained ligament and after a few weeks I got an allergic reaction - my first one in my entire life.
It was a rash all around my waist and half way up my sides. :o
So I quit the spray and doc gave me some skin cream and Anti-Histamine instead. Massaging it into my waist seems to help with the sprained ligament ache too.
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Its been pretty much beaten to death by now how much the PPI's are terrible for you on a long term basis, but I just wanted to add one more thing I came across while reviewing today.
They decrease your absorption of Iron and B-12, so you can actually get Iron deficiency or B-12 deficiency anemia from their chronic use as well. Which will make you feel fatigued, and possibly short of breath and just generally feel like crap.
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I found out that - since I hurt a ligament in my groin - that I can't wear any jeans which are too tight or i'll ache like f-k for days afterwards.
If I wear really loose or stretchy clothes around the clock - then the ache is minimal to non existent.