(no subject)

[violachic]

I'm in the fray of a couple of relatively bad days. My pain level has been elevated for about a week now. Plus, from time to time, I wake up really sick to my stomach. While doing some research a couple weeks ago on medication side effects, I also found out that I'm not supposed to take antacids within four hours of taking my neurontin, because the antacids can interfere with the neurontin. So I've been trying to figure out better ways of calming my stomach. Sometimes the ginger altoids that Kate gave me work; sometimes they make me sicker. Sometimes drinking Coca-cola works; sometimes its just too sweet and makes me gag. The only thing that consistently calms my stomach are Tums. So I just have to make sure I don't take my next dose of Neurontin for another four hours. I'm seeing some new doctors this week (maybe I'll post about it, maybe I won't, we'll see on my energy level) and that's definitely on my list of things to ask them about. I also recently found out that the edema I've been having- which can get really bad some days- is actually on the list of CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW side effects. I don't have anybody I can call NOW that I trust, so again- on my list of things to ask on Thursday.

Physically, I feel really crappy in general today, and of course that always makes me crankier than usual. I don't know if its possible for me to be more anti-social than usual, but if i can, we'll sure find out today.

Comments

[jk-fabiani.livejournal.com]

http://www.hopeformula.com/

Most of her advice is pretty good.

High Fiber
Omega 3
Probiotics
Enzymes

[violachic.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm pretty certain that my sour stomach is 100% medication related, but her website definitely looks interesting.

I think with my oatmeal habit, I'm probably covering the "high fiber" part pretty well already :-)

[jk-fabiani.livejournal.com]

My buddy has GERD and he is trying it and it seems to be working.

[roadkillmary.livejournal.com]

Have you ever tried chlorophyll? I once had a roommate who had a big jug of the stuff, and if either one of us had a stomach ache, we would add a little of it to a glass of water. It doesn't taste like grass, but it does taste slightly minty and really soothes an upset stomach.

I can't see that counteracting any of your meds, but you still might talk to a doctor before trying it. It's just a nice natural way to calm a stomach.

[prrrn.livejournal.com]

if ginger helps, there's a wide variety of options out there with ginger in them. i had really bad nausea and reflux from wellbutrin, and ginger was one of the few things that helped. my favorites were dried ginger root and a honey-ginger mix (found in the health-stuff section of a natural foods store) that can be taken in small spoonfuls or added to sparkling water for a carbonated non-sugar drink.

i hope the new doctors are more helpful than the old ones!
{{{long distance hugs}}} ~johanna

[catdraco.livejournal.com]

Peppermint helps a lot of people with upset stomachs. The old-fashioned candy type is perfect: it's just peppermint oil and sugar, basically.

Otherwise, peppermint tea also helps a lot of people. I find both tend to help me, so maybe either are worth a shot?

[brotherskeeper1.livejournal.com]

You're new to my lj so I'm not sure what diagnosis you have. The only thing that ever settles my stomach is tea, particularly hot tea.

I hope you get to feeling better soon.

[violachic.livejournal.com]

I've been dealing with chronic nerve pain for five months now. Its improved very little since day one. Unfortunately for you, as someone new to my LJ, much of my journaling these days consists of whining about being sick. Sorry about that!

[brotherskeeper1.livejournal.com]

Don't apologize for not feeling well. I just spent three days last week in the hospital for extreme swelling. It is a combination of CHF and kidneys not functioning as they should. It's part of being diabetic. I get my test results next week when I see both doctors.

I'm not familiar with nerve pain but my back puts me away at times. All that can be done then is nerve blocks. It's not pleasant but it works.

I hope you feel better soon. Living with pain drains us of energy.

[violachic.livejournal.com]

My first set of doctors vaguely discussed nerve blocks with me. They then decided they wanted to try more "conservative" methods first. But I now have many reasons to distrust those doctors- not the least of which is leaving me on schedule 2 narcotics for five months and then trying to blame me for staying on them for so long- so I am trying new doctors this week. I am cautiously optomistic.

Yes, living with pain drains energy, that is for sure. I don't have time for this, I have a world to go save :-)

[unhipster.livejournal.com]

Can you take pepto-bismol?

[violachic.livejournal.com]

I'll have to check and see if that has the same stuff in it as the antacids that would interfere with the medication. I don't generally like the stuff, but if I have to, I'll take it.

Just wondering:

[geezerlee.livejournal.com]

Did you get the package of Abbie stuff?

Re: Just wondering:

[violachic.livejournal.com]

YES!

I totally got distracted by... well, my life, I guess. I'm so sorry I didn't say anything. I LOVED it! Thank you for the copy of your draft card, too, that was awesome!

How's the move?

Re: Just wondering:

[geezerlee.livejournal.com]

You had to ask. Here's the latest part of the Saga:

http://geezerlee.livejournal.com/96581.html

"FIRST close ... THEN move." That should be a bumper sticker, like the one about pillaging and burning.

Re: Just wondering:

[violachic.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry :-(

I've not seen the one about pillaging and burning, but now that you reference I have an idea of what it says, and I'm kind of amused....

Re: Just wondering:

[geezerlee.livejournal.com]

The sticker reads "FIRST Pillage.... THEN Burn." I forget where I saw it, but I think it was on a vehicle with other Pirate and Rennie type iconography.

Good idea to check for different doctors. They're just like plumbers, or carpenters: Tradesmen (not to disrepect their trade, or anybody else's), who usually more or less know what they're doing, but some do a better job than others and that's really all there is to it.