I’m sure everything will work out eventually, but right now I’m not a happy camper.  This past Monday I had the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy done. 

The preparation for the colonoscopy over the weekend was the usual hell and I was totally miserable by the time I arrived at the hospital Monday at 10 a.m.  After the procedures they didn’t even offer me a sip a water.  How rude!    Six years ago when I had my first colonoscopy done at another hospital everyone was very nice and they provided a nice muffin and whatever you wanted to drink afterwards.  

What really ticked me off though was I really didn’t need the colonoscopy since I had had one about 5 or 6 six years ago, but I let the doctor talk me into it and had to endure the additional medication and preparation.  I found out too late that the doctor had lied to me when she said the preparation for both procedures is the same.  The truth is the laxatives would NOT have been necessary for the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, which is really all I needed in preparation for the gastric bypass surgery.

Any way, the main point is the doctor stopped by briefly after the procedures while I was still groggy and rattled off a list of things she found and left the sheet of paper on the bedside table.   After an hour or so I was allowed to get up, dressed, and ready to go. 

I asked if I had to see the doctor before I left, the technician said no.  I went over the information that she left me and discovered I have gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and Barrett’s esophagus (the lining of the esophagus changes into tissue more closely resembling the lining of the intestine, caused by GERD [gastroesophageal reflux disease] which means stomach acids are backwashing into the esophagus and causing erosion).  It is recommended that annual follow ups be done to be sure it doesn’t progress to cancer of the esophagus.   There were some photos of a normal stomach and esophagus with comparison photos showing the results of these two conditions – which were not pleasant at all. 

The only instructions on the sheet of paper were to see the doctor in two or three months for a follow-up.  I asked the technician what I needed to do about this and he said live on antacids for the rest of my life. 

I am still a bit stunned and haven’t been able to wrap my head around the fact that I have a diagnosis of a fairly common but serious condition and the doctor doesn’t even give me any clue as to what to do for the next few months until I see her again.

My main concern right now is whether or not I will be able to have the gastric bypass surgery.  I know that if you have an ulcer it has to be cleared up first – but I don’t know if gastritis can be cleared up or if it’s something I’ll have forever and have to manage it with “antacids for the rest of my life.”

I did a lot of research on the web and found the usual recommendations - no coffee, no diet soda, no aspirin, were the top instructions (as well as a bland diet and soft foods).    I knew these changes were coming after the gastric bypass surgery (to prevent getting an ulcer), but didn’t expect to have to do it all at once immediately.

If I follow all the recommendations, my life is going to be a nightmare.

I NEED that one cup of coffe or I cannot function and the pain of withdrawal is something I really am not up for right now.  I figured after the gastric bypass surgery I’d be going through withdrawal and recovery and could deal with the pain of both at the same time.   I live on diet soda – sipping two cans a day to keep hunger under control - so no idea how I’m going to get through the day without passing out from hunger without it.  But the no aspirin is the real problem – becuase I have rhuematoid artritis, and taking several aspirin every day I’m still in pain and I can barely function. Without any aspirin, I will most likely be curled up in a ball whimpering most of the time.

Another recommendation for gastritis is to sleep propped up and on the left side.  If that is really how I will have to sleep I will never sleep again.   I ONLY get about 3 or 4 hours a night as it is – curled up on my right side.   If I have to be propped up and on my left side I will never get to sleep and without having coffee either I’m going to be a limping zombie and probably be passing out a lot.

There were other “natural remedies” suggested such, daily eating a big red apple, drinking aloe vera juice, drinking coconut water 2x a day, drinking carrot and spinach.  However the nutritionist doesn’t want me having fruits or juices.   He says never drink calories and sugar is sugar even if it is in a fruit.

I’m going to have to completely rethink what I eat because most of my favorite veggies were listed on the ”do not eat” list for gastritis (such as broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, tomato and others).  So between no fruits and only a few veggies  my diet is going to be extremely limited.   

I can have low fat yogurt – but no fruit added (ick!) and it isn’t very filling either.   I can also have lean meats in small quanities but with gastritis they say no tomatoes (or catsup), no onions and no garlic, so my favorite ways to have a little flavor are now gone. 

Two of the recommendations I already do – loose clothing and lots of water.  Almost everything else is going to be tough to do.

At this point I have stopped the aspirin (even though I am suppose to take one a day for my congestive heart failure).   I am still having my coffee in the morning but with a lot more nonfat creamor (hopefully lessens the acidity at least a little).    I will be slowly weaning myself off the soda first and worry about the coffee later.   I don’t eat spicy foods any way so eating bland isn’t a problem.    I am going to finish up the veggies I already have in the freezer.  Once they are used up I will have to see what veggies there are left for me to eat – I know I can have green beans, carrots and cucumbers but not sure if there is much else.    (Some that are allowed with gastritis won’t work for dieting for various reasons, such as I hate beets, and peas are  more of a starch and too high in calories).

I’m more then a little ticked off and confused.  I see the nutritionist in about two weeks and will see what he suggests and find out IF I will be able to qualify now for gastric bypass surgery or if I’m disqualified permanently.   I will aslo have to find a doctor to help me sort through a treatment plan for the gastritis.   I am looking for more then just “living on antacids for the rest of my life” – but I have a feeling that is all the medical profession is really going to be able to offer me.   I most likely will end up on my own, doing my own research and seeing what I can do to cure the condition rather then just “manage” it.

Green smoothies are very healthy and supposed to be good for treating gastritis because they are very alkalizing and reduce the acidity of the body.    So as long as I don’t add fruit, use only veggies on the gastritis list of allowed foods, toss a little aloe vera juice in and don’t tell my nutritionist that I’m drinking any calories,  I will see if they help.  I’m also going to check a local health food store and see if they carry coconut water.  It is extremely expensive and ordering online has the additional cost of shipping.  For now that is the plan.  Whether it will work or not who knows, but I’m going to give it my best shot to get these conditions under control and who knows maybe even healed.

Rate:
2.5

Tags: , ,