I think most of you are also my FB friends, so you have heard much of this there. For the last several months I have been struggling with some GI issues. My doctor thought it was acid reflux and started me on an acid reflux medication. It helped some but not completely, and I had a lot of nausea which was interfering with the things I wanted to do, so I cold turkey stopped taking it about 1 month ago. Bad idea. Apparently there is something called acid rebound that occurs (in some people) when you stop taking acid reflux medications. Your stomach produces large amounts of acid, even more than before you went on the medication, and you have horrid, horrid acid reflux symptoms. The first few days off the medication were a nightmare–I had constant burning, and eating only made it worse. On top of that, I also had horrible anxiety. After about a week, Jason went out of town for 5 days, and I thought I might lose my mind.
Thankfully, things have gotten much, much better. I still have some GI issues and am having a scope next week so they can get an idea of what’s going on in my belly, but things have improved dramatically. And I have learned so much through the process. What are some of the lessons I have learned:
1. God is good. I don’t know how I would have made it through this trial without my faith.
2. My family is amazing! My mom was so wonderful throughout the whole ordeal. She called and texted me multiple times a day, especially while Jason was gone, to check and see how I was doing. It meant the world to me!
3. I need people! I have always prided myself on being an independent person, but I don’t know how I would have made it through without so much support from others. It was amazing! And I am thankful for FB–it really helped me throughout my struggles.
4. I need to be more compassionate.
I have a new admiration for people with chronic illnesses–I am a terrible sick person, and I cannot imagine feeling so badly every day for a long time.
I know good things will come from this, and I pray that the lessons I have learned will stick with me. It is easy to get complacent and forget the hard times, but those hard times make us better people (even though they are awfully hard when we are in the midst of them).
This is a great post. I’m glad you are going to get the scope done. I know kind of what you’re feeling. I had a scope a couple of years ago. I had some inflammation but nothing that needed anything more than medication. I didn’t keep taking the medicine after a while, and recently needed to start taking it again. I also struggle from anxiety, too. I know how bad that gets and not having your husband there adds to feeling scared or crazy. I’m so glad for medications now. Someone close to me struggles from chronic pain, so I have learned to be more compassionate about the constant feeling bad of other people. Knowing the Lord and praying and giving it up to Him is the best thing to do. Of course, the wisdom of the doctors, too. I’m glad you are feeling better. You have been busy this summer!
It’s really hard to be sick for a long time. I’m sure you’ll come through the scope like a champ! I’m a veteran at scopes and assure you it will be easy peasy. Hugs and prayers!
Awww, poor Leah. I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this. It just sounds awful. I like your wonderful perspective through it all, despite how horrible it was for you. Glad to hear you are at least doing better even though you’re not at a 100%. Thanks for the post to let us know what all those FB posts have been about.
Hugs!