Help wanted (Score so far related)

[Jersey Girl]

If someone hasn't tried to make sense of FODMAPS (things that fod up your gut) they have NO idea how absolutely confusing it is. If you look at the amounts of food I think there is NO possible way for you to gain weight and Monash is always retesting and changing the serving sizes. It's probably true that most gut patients end up steering their own course.

Sugar. I've concluded that all the warnings about sugar are utter B to the S and forwarded by artificial sweetener companies. I'm not one who buys into conspiracy theories but this actually makes sense to me. I stopped using Sweet n' Low maybe 2 months ago? Just put 1/2 teaspoon of sugar in my tea and a splash of milk. Sting, bloat, sting bloat. So I ended up taking some supplements to try to resolve it. Like I said in the above post...yesterday I upped it to 2 teaspoons and...the tummy is fine with it!

FODZYME (not using it msyelf) is a supplement that targets FODMAPS. Might try it in the future but geez...I'm tired of experimenting at the moment.

There's probably foods that I can eat that I haven't tried to put back in because of Monash or other advice I've read. I'll get to them eventually here!

Very busy right now with surgery preparation for the Boy. Trying to get some things in order outside. It'll snow soon and we won't be able to do it post-op. Not gonna lie...I'm dreading the recovery period but only because I'm not in top form myself. We'll just see how that goes...about 4-5 days after surgery then the post op rolling appointments begin.

Put up some stacks of firewood on Buy Nothing, old compost barrel that needs to go. I don't know what all else we'll ditch but we're both moving kind of slow right now so there is that to consider.

Working on my crafting items outside--paint, stain, messy things. Just want to get them to the point of finishing touches that I can do indoors during his recovery. I've got it all worked out in my mind. Let's just hope no one snaps a bone around here!

It's a little crazy around here!

[Jersey Girl]

Nicky hang on. I've got to answer a Buy Nothing message. I'll get back here unless they're coming right over to pick up something.

[Jersey Girl]

Did the tea with milk and 2 sugars work out ok?

YES!

I don't know if I've asked this before but have you been tested for helicobacter pylori?

Yes, tested for that during the scopes I had. All clear!

Mind you, your antibiotics to kill the sibo would probably have killed everything that shouldn't be there. Just with the stinging.

The antibiotic I took...I think it's different. Xifan. It doesn't carpet bomb your body. The stinging is either inflammation or stretching of the walls of the intestines I think...bloating.

And I vaguely have the impression you might be taking PPIs but can't remember exactly.

No, I refuse to take PPI's because they can cause rapid bone loss. I can't afford that at my age. Not willing to risk it. I do take Pepcid/Famotidine. Lowest dose twice a day.

It's possible that I have LOW stomach acid. That'll screw you up, too.

Dr never did get back to me about the acid I have... But I have the consultant on Tuesday and she can discuss it with me.

I want to hear what her advice to you is. I don't think you are allowed to take famotidine? Best to wait for medical guidance. But...can you take an antacid like a TUMS...you know what I mean. Something OTC that's basically harmless? You have a special situation with the baby on the way. If you can wait it out until Tuesday I hope that's okay for you.

Can you sleep propped up on your side at all? You probably already do and I'm preaching to the choir over here. I forget which side is best for pregnancy.

[Jersey Girl]

Don't know how many times I edited that. Good luck!

Facebook message again...I'll be back.

[IWMP]

If someone hasn't tried to make sense of FODMAPS (things that fod up your gut) they have NO idea how absolutely confusing it is. If you look at the amounts of food I think there is NO possible way for you to gain weight and Monash is always retesting and changing the serving sizes. It's probably true that most gut patients end up steering their own course.

Sugar. I've concluded that all the warnings about sugar are utter B to the S and forwarded by artificial sweetener companies. I'm not one who buys into conspiracy theories but this actually makes sense to me. I stopped using Sweet n' Low maybe 2 months ago? Just put 1/2 teaspoon of sugar in my tea and a splash of milk. Sting, bloat, sting bloat. So I ended up taking some supplements to try to resolve it. Like I said in the above post...yesterday I upped it to 2 teaspoons and...the tummy is fine with it!

FODZYME (not using it msyelf) is a supplement that targets FODMAPS. Might try it in the future but geez...I'm tired of experimenting at the moment.

There's probably foods that I can eat that I haven't tried to put back in because of Monash or other advice I've read. I'll get to them eventually here!

Very busy right now with surgery preparation for the Boy. Trying to get some things in order outside. It'll snow soon and we won't be able to do it post-op. Not gonna lie...I'm dreading the recovery period but only because I'm not in top form myself. We'll just see how that goes...about 4-5 days after surgery then the post op rolling appointments begin.

Put up some stacks of firewood on Buy Nothing, old compost barrel that needs to go. I don't know what all else we'll ditch but we're both moving kind of slow right now so there is that to consider.

Working on my crafting items outside--paint, stain, messy things. Just want to get them to the point of finishing touches that I can do indoors during his recovery. I've got it all worked out in my mind. Let's just hope no one snaps a bone around here!

It's a little crazy around here!

I found fodmap diet very hard but it did work. I think the idea is you reintroduce a group at a time. But it sounds to me like you've got more than just fodmaps going on. I'm glad sugar is doing ok.

I know what you mean about PPIs. I don't take them every day just enough to get by because I already have absorption issues and PPIs are terrible for making that worse. I've been using Rennie's but I'm at the point now where I have no idea where my stomach even is lol. Rennie's stopped working. I've been taking omeprazole because I'd rather the headache than worrying about my esophagus becoming damaged anymore than it is.

Do you find a difference between refined and unrefined sugar?

Hope you manage to get as much as possible wrapped up and ready for snowy season. I'm jealous. The idea of being stuck in with loads of snow and a burning fire and blankets and hot chocolate sounds like a dream but I know living in that for long periods must be difficult.

Got lucky with the OP, recover and your health too. Fingers crossed it goes as smooth as possible. Remember to look after you too <3

Don't worry about "preaching to the choir", it always helps to be reminded or to hear others thoughts. I had 5 pillows the other night. I've pulled tummy muscles so that's a joy. I'll ask tomorrow about it because I'm still coughing a lot and every time I cough I feel like something is going to pop. I know it won't and it's just muscle but it's painful. I'm holding my tummy trying to keep it in place lol.

[Jersey Girl]

I haven't tried unrefined sugar but I'm willing to. Don't have any here. I can put it on the grocery order if I remember it.

Re: Fall/Winter Cosiness. I was thinking today how chilly it got this evening. I put the (fake) candles on and a wax warmer. Thinking how absolutely lovely it would be to get cosy in front of the fire with a cuppa hot cocoa. If only it weren't for the fact that my gut often feels like it has knives sticking in it. Asking God WHY can't I have that again?

I've been swearing my brains out for 2-3 days. I mean bad words. Really BAD ones that are offensive to God. There are words you never hear me say until I'm pushed to the utter limits. F bombs are one thing but this is a whole nuther level. Alternately swearing and apologizing to God the moment the words leave my mouth. Yesterday I asked "I know what I'm saying and I don't feel like I can stop. As soon as I apologize I do it again in minutes. I don't mean to offend you at all. I'm not trying to offend you, I promise. Lord, you know who I am inside myself. I have no self control right now. Could you PLEASE just give me a blanket mercy for today, Lord?" I mean, I was sincerely begging.

It sounds like your cough is from COVID but it could also be the acid creeping up. I think that can cause a cough. I tore ligaments when I was preggers one time and it HURTS. Took a long time to heal as I recall and every little lingering cough seemed to re-injure it. I tried to hold it when I coughed like you are doing. Can you put a little heat pack on at all? Hot water bottle?

Is there any way you could share the poem you mentioned? It's okay if it's too personal to share. You know I would understand that. You could share it elsewhere if you'd like. Again, if it needs to stay private I respect that.

Today was difficult. I woke up after 3 hours sleep and my brain woke up so I couldn't go back to sleep. I *have* to get the new blinds up I got so the room stays dark. Went about the day totally out of it until I got a chance to take a little nap for 3 hours in the afternoon. Compost barrel and firewood stacks are all picked up. Thank goodness. I highly recommend Buy Nothing to anyone who has stuff to donate. Around here the charity shop Goodwill is notorious for charging crazy prices on pre-owned goods. With Buy Nothing I just post it to "Gift", ask people to Facebook message me, and they come over to the house to pick up an item or I leave it at the end of the driveway attached to the fence. It is amazing what people in your neighborhood are interested in and also how thoughtful folks are in offering things to others. Decor things are next. Some fall things I don't want any more.

I am getting things out that I don't want bit by little bit on Buy Nothing and some things are going to trash of course. I sat on the bed before I took the nap with some teacher files and purged them out. This evening I yanked out my little make up drawer and purged that as well and that has to go to trash. It's nice to do even little things and know I got something done.

Medical equipment is coming in here every day on surgeons orders. It's crazy how much is involved. We already had some of our own from past surgeries but this stuff is designed especially for knee replacement recovery. He's getting electric massagers this time (blood clot prevention), a special ice thing on wheels and I don't know what else is in all the boxes that are coming.

The pantry is looking a bit sparse and Thursday is trash day.

I forget if I responded to everything in your post now. This will have to do.

[Jersey Girl]

Update and lessons learned. Not giving every little detail. I went in with a list of 3 topics.

Diagnosis
Treament plan
Malabsorption

Gastro went well on Thursday. I'm going to do a repeat treatment of the Rifaximin the selective antibiotic that doesn't carpet bomb your whole gut but goes looking for bad bacteria to kill off. Other solutions I was supposed to do and I need to get on it now regardless of the post op recovery from the Boy's knee replacement surgery.

I asked for B12 injections again. Gastro doc said I don't need it. Gastro NP says Primary can do that and she sends her a copy of every office visit. I've read that the injections can really hurt. I don't care if I'm writhing in pain. What's a little more pain to help the gut heal and fend off anemia?

Magnesium Glyicinate (failed to take it I have it)
Creon or FODZYME
I knew what FODZYME was, pricey digestive enzymes, 72$ on Amazon.

Whatever. I'm going to throw everything I've got at this gut stuff. I'm much better now than I was this time last year. I'm going to try to drive it home now and finish the job as best I can.

Lessons learned...

1. Don't put your own health needs on the back burner for other people including family members.
2. Learn to put yourself first as soon as you need to and don't delay anything you need to do.
3. Surgery stuff...don't wait for people to offer to help. Line it up in advance and ask what they can do.
4. I'm very good at preparing in advance for different situations. I need to learn to apply that to our in real life circumstances like post op.

Weight fluctuates up and down. Eating more calories for about 2 months now. Thus the topic of malabsorption. I'm still running my own appointments and this time I got what I want...another shot at the antibiotics. If insurance kicks it down...I'll pay out of pocket.

Pre authorization for Tirosint/tablet has not be responded to by insurance.

Sending a portal follow up on that and the B12 injections on Monday...actually Sunday evening.


Still feeling like I've been driving my own medical case. It's not rocket science to find these things out. Hmm...maybe I should've been a doctor.

[Hound of Heaven]

Hello Folks,

I don't usually ask for help for myself here but I need some information if you have it. This is going to be all over the place so bear with me. I'll do the best I can here. I tend to be very private so this is hard for me which is why I'm posting this in this particular forum.

If you have read the Score so Far thread (that I started years ago) fairly recently, you will see that I've lost weight. My last weight at the doctors about 2 weeks ago was 93 pounds. The BMI calculators/charts put me at "normal" weight. I've averaged about 2 pounds a month weight loss and I know you're going to say that's great, good for you!, how'd you do it, etc.

I did it because I'm a mess and here is why. I'll make a little list.

1. I get AFIB/RVR which is a heart rhythm disorder that comes and goes. Without detailing the whole nine yards journey, I now average about 1-2 times per year (could be a 3rd one in there somewhere) which is a vast improvement from where I started. Sometimes I can cardiovert myself. Sometimes I can't. When I can't I have to go to the ER to have my heart shocked back into rhythm. I'm not afraid of it except for the fact that if I had to have my heart shocked, sometimes I get post traumatic stress symptoms that last 1-2 weekis...except for the last 2 times wherein I was perfectly fine.

2. The type of AFIB I get is related to digestion and vagus nerve stimulation. When it happens, it's always after a meal. Always.

3. Because it happens after a meal, I began eating smaller portions and for the past 10 years I've eaten heart healthy. In other words, I eat the type of foods that we're all supposed to eat only over the past couple of years I started reducing the portions. I try to eat healthy snacks inbetween meals.

4. I can't recall how long I have had AFIB but the result is that I'm often afraid to eat. Even the small portions, but I do eat them.

5. The fear is related to reality and it's mainly about developing PTS symptoms. It kind of paralyzes me for 1-2 weeks. I fly in the face of it, but I hate it. Be clear. I am not afraid that AFIB is going to kill me. I'm not afraid of the heart shock. And Lord knows I love the propofol they knock me out with.

6. I'm not depressed. It's about anxiety. Food anxiety that is based on the reality of my circumstances. And the fear associated with post traumatic stress symptoms.

That's how I lost weight. I'd like to gain some weight back but I have no idea how to do that when I'm stuck like this.

In the past couple of days I've become totally fed up with it all. Sick of it. Sick of it all. Sick of being afraid to eat. Sick of waiting for the other shoe to drop that sends me to an ER. Sick of walking on eggshells. Sick of worrying that I'm going to wreck a special gathering with family. Sick. Of. It. All. I hate this. I hate it so much. I can't eat right. I can't sleep right. I'm hyper aware of my heartbeat. I can tell you what my heart rate is without using an app within 1-2 bpm accuracy. I'm basically a mess but you'd never know it if you were face to face with me. You'd think I was a happy camper all peaceful and calm, interested in what you have to say, be bopping through a store with a smile on my face, but inside I'm usually stuffing down misery unless I am super immersed in something or dancing, and then I have real peace. I'm so tired of it I can't even tell you. This isn't me. It's nothing like me.

I've got an appointment with my primary coming up soon to address this and what I think is going on with me.

Which leads me to how you can help if you have the information.

I've googled my entire behind off by now. I think I have an idea about something. I have many of the symptoms of hiatal hernia. Not all of them. Yes, I know what the tests are. That's not the thing. Here is the thing and I know I'm putting the whole cart before the horse here. Still, I need real information from real people.

Have any of you had laproscopic hernia repair surgery? If so, how was your recovery? If so, was it worth it to you in resolving whatever symptoms you had?

I don't need to know about your symptoms unless you feel you want to say. I am most interested in recovery and outcomes from surgery. Years ago, I had gall bladder removal and I assume the recovery is something like that. I don't mind the idea of recovery or even more weight loss in the process (I've read about the post op dietary needs) if it will help me recover from these disturbing symptoms in the long term.

I thought hiatal hernia was something that only obsese persons developed. Apparently that is not so. When I read through the list of symptoms and got to the "feeling that food is stuck" in a certain area...ALL my alarms went off. Also, hiatal hernia is associated with AFIB. I've known that part for years now but never suspected I might have been developing this.

I know I don't know what is wrong with me. I know I'm getting ahead of my skis. I know I might be wrong and something else could be the culprit and that it could be something really terrible but I feel pretty well convinced that this could be the problem. I have a good track record of sorting symptoms where it turns out that I'm exactly right.

Sorry about the rambling. Here are the questions again.

Have any of you had laproscopic hernia repair surgery? If so, how was your recovery? If so, was it worth it to you in resolving whatever symptoms you had?

Thanks for wading through this. It's really hard for me to put myself out here on some issues. Others not hard at all. I've probably posted most of my life story on this board. But, this one is hard for me because I'm in a sensitive place about it, so please be kind. I count my blessings every single day. There is a whole list of things that aren't wrong with me. There are a whole list of things that are right with me. And believe it nor not my heart is healthy. I take pleasure in simple things and thank my God every day for the experiences and people that bring me joy, for the hope I always seem to have, the glass that is always half full, and for the important lessons I've learned along the way.

I just need some help here and if you've got it, please post it here. If you aren't comfortable with that, you can talk to me in messages. If I don't get back to you right away, it's only because I'm distracted by anxious feelings. But I will get back to you, I promise.

Thank you so much for reading this,

Jersey

p.s. It's almost quarter to 4 a.m. See what I mean?

I don't think you understand what "heart healthy" snacks or meals actually is.

You speak of sugar vs refined sugar, but if you understood healthy eating, you would not consume sugar at all or so little of it you would only eat 1 to 2 grams a day.

You should be looking at sugar as your #1 enemy!

[IWMP]

Hello Folks,

I don't usually ask for help for myself here but I need some information if you have it. This is going to be all over the place so bear with me. I'll do the best I can here. I tend to be very private so this is hard for me which is why I'm posting this in this particular forum.

If you have read the Score so Far thread (that I started years ago) fairly recently, you will see that I've lost weight. My last weight at the doctors about 2 weeks ago was 93 pounds. The BMI calculators/charts put me at "normal" weight. I've averaged about 2 pounds a month weight loss and I know you're going to say that's great, good for you!, how'd you do it, etc.

I did it because I'm a mess and here is why. I'll make a little list.

1. I get AFIB/RVR which is a heart rhythm disorder that comes and goes. Without detailing the whole nine yards journey, I now average about 1-2 times per year (could be a 3rd one in there somewhere) which is a vast improvement from where I started. Sometimes I can cardiovert myself. Sometimes I can't. When I can't I have to go to the ER to have my heart shocked back into rhythm. I'm not afraid of it except for the fact that if I had to have my heart shocked, sometimes I get post traumatic stress symptoms that last 1-2 weekis...except for the last 2 times wherein I was perfectly fine.

2. The type of AFIB I get is related to digestion and vagus nerve stimulation. When it happens, it's always after a meal. Always.

3. Because it happens after a meal, I began eating smaller portions and for the past 10 years I've eaten heart healthy. In other words, I eat the type of foods that we're all supposed to eat only over the past couple of years I started reducing the portions. I try to eat healthy snacks inbetween meals.

4. I can't recall how long I have had AFIB but the result is that I'm often afraid to eat. Even the small portions, but I do eat them.

5. The fear is related to reality and it's mainly about developing PTS symptoms. It kind of paralyzes me for 1-2 weeks. I fly in the face of it, but I hate it. Be clear. I am not afraid that AFIB is going to kill me. I'm not afraid of the heart shock. And Lord knows I love the propofol they knock me out with.

6. I'm not depressed. It's about anxiety. Food anxiety that is based on the reality of my circumstances. And the fear associated with post traumatic stress symptoms.

That's how I lost weight. I'd like to gain some weight back but I have no idea how to do that when I'm stuck like this.

In the past couple of days I've become totally fed up with it all. Sick of it. Sick of it all. Sick of being afraid to eat. Sick of waiting for the other shoe to drop that sends me to an ER. Sick of walking on eggshells. Sick of worrying that I'm going to wreck a special gathering with family. Sick. Of. It. All. I hate this. I hate it so much. I can't eat right. I can't sleep right. I'm hyper aware of my heartbeat. I can tell you what my heart rate is without using an app within 1-2 bpm accuracy. I'm basically a mess but you'd never know it if you were face to face with me. You'd think I was a happy camper all peaceful and calm, interested in what you have to say, be bopping through a store with a smile on my face, but inside I'm usually stuffing down misery unless I am super immersed in something or dancing, and then I have real peace. I'm so tired of it I can't even tell you. This isn't me. It's nothing like me.

I've got an appointment with my primary coming up soon to address this and what I think is going on with me.

Which leads me to how you can help if you have the information.

I've googled my entire behind off by now. I think I have an idea about something. I have many of the symptoms of hiatal hernia. Not all of them. Yes, I know what the tests are. That's not the thing. Here is the thing and I know I'm putting the whole cart before the horse here. Still, I need real information from real people.

Have any of you had laproscopic hernia repair surgery? If so, how was your recovery? If so, was it worth it to you in resolving whatever symptoms you had?

I don't need to know about your symptoms unless you feel you want to say. I am most interested in recovery and outcomes from surgery. Years ago, I had gall bladder removal and I assume the recovery is something like that. I don't mind the idea of recovery or even more weight loss in the process (I've read about the post op dietary needs) if it will help me recover from these disturbing symptoms in the long term.

I thought hiatal hernia was something that only obsese persons developed. Apparently that is not so. When I read through the list of symptoms and got to the "feeling that food is stuck" in a certain area...ALL my alarms went off. Also, hiatal hernia is associated with AFIB. I've known that part for years now but never suspected I might have been developing this.

I know I don't know what is wrong with me. I know I'm getting ahead of my skis. I know I might be wrong and something else could be the culprit and that it could be something really terrible but I feel pretty well convinced that this could be the problem. I have a good track record of sorting symptoms where it turns out that I'm exactly right.

Sorry about the rambling. Here are the questions again.

Have any of you had laproscopic hernia repair surgery? If so, how was your recovery? If so, was it worth it to you in resolving whatever symptoms you had?

Thanks for wading through this. It's really hard for me to put myself out here on some issues. Others not hard at all. I've probably posted most of my life story on this board. But, this one is hard for me because I'm in a sensitive place about it, so please be kind. I count my blessings every single day. There is a whole list of things that aren't wrong with me. There are a whole list of things that are right with me. And believe it nor not my heart is healthy. I take pleasure in simple things and thank my God every day for the experiences and people that bring me joy, for the hope I always seem to have, the glass that is always half full, and for the important lessons I've learned along the way.

I just need some help here and if you've got it, please post it here. If you aren't comfortable with that, you can talk to me in messages. If I don't get back to you right away, it's only because I'm distracted by anxious feelings. But I will get back to you, I promise.

Thank you so much for reading this,

Jersey

p.s. It's almost quarter to 4 a.m. See what I mean?

I don't think you understand what "heart healthy" snacks or meals actually is.

You speak of sugar vs refined sugar, but if you understood healthy eating, you would not consume sugar at all or so little of it you would only eat 1 to 2 grams a day.

You should be looking at sugar as your #1 enemy!

I don't think JGs diet is sugary at all. She's avoiding alcohol sugars because she has learned that that causes a reaction. It was me that mentioned the unrefined sugars and she was responding to my question.

What would you recommend if you feel sugar is the enemy? Carbs are sugar. Sugar is literally part of respiration and energy production.

[Jersey Girl]

I don't think JGs diet is sugary at all. She's avoiding alcohol sugars because she has learned that that causes a reaction. It was me that mentioned the unrefined sugars and she was responding to my question.

What would you recommend if you feel sugar is the enemy? Carbs are sugar. Sugar is literally part of respiration and energy production.

He's replying to the OP from 2 years ago.