Saturday, June 16, 2012

My Digestion Is Shot

My stomach is breaking down with whatever has been troubling it for the last year+. The problem has been getting veeerrrrry slowly but steadily worse. I asked my parents to bring me a bottle of antacids when they recently visited (I have not found it here). They brought the very largest size (400 extra-strength) and it lasted me less than a month. Even with consuming fruit-flavored chalk at an enormous rate, I am in some degree of pain often, most of the day, and it significantly interferes with my eating habits and sleep. NOT GOOD.

But I've procrastinated, because I don't have a doctor here and it seemed like a big hurdle finding one and making time to see him/her. (It's not like I don't know that this would be a good idea: not only have my mother and husband been consistently nagging me to go see a doctor, but I even put it on my 101 in 1001 list: yet nothing has happened.) I think I am frightened by what they will say.

But it's time to go. I threw up blood three times today (fairly small amounts but still NOT GOOD). Per doctor google, this is a "serious symptom" so I really need to get my act together. Hopefully posting this, even anonymously, will serve as a permanent record of my poor self-care, and spur me to do the right thing.

4 comments:

  1. Oh my god.

    If I didn't live across the world, I would drag you to the doctor right now.

    What the hell are you thinking?!

    On a less serious note, during my pregnancy, papaya enzyme pills helped way more than antacids for me (and are more natural). Some brands worked better than others.

    But seriously. GO NOW.

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  2. OMG! Please go to the dr and get help! That kinda sounds like an Ulcer!

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  3. Definitely see a doctor- can you get OTC Prilosec there? That would be a big improvement over Tums...

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  4. OK, you are all right. So I took your advice and went today. It was surprisingly simple (I always forget that the American medical system is so inefficient, that by comparison most other places are a breeze).

    I need to go see a specialist (and have a scope stuck down my throat), as the GP wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with me. But he did both make a face at me (the uhhh! face with the grimace, meaning mild horror and surprise) and tell me that I needed a thorough workup, as the symptoms were "concerning". Not what I wanted to hear!

    Hopefully I will see the gastroenterologist on Monday or Tuesday, and will find out more. I will keep you posted!

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