I am embarrassed that I am even writing about this, but as someone who didn’t know what it really was until I was diagnosed, I write in hopes that it will help others.

And I shouldn’t be embarrassed, it’s not really my fault.  Mostly.

 But I am.  I am embarrassed that it is gross.  GERD is short for Gastroesophageal reflux disease.  It’s when the esophagus valve doesn’t work properly.  It sort of opens up as acid rises.  I have a lot of chest pain (heartburn), and I have episodes at night that keep me awake, occaisonally I have trouble swallowing. Apparently that faulty valve thing is hereditary.   I’ve had it all this time, and finally I mention it to my father and he’s like YEP.  I’ve got it, and your grandmother had it so bad that she had surgery.  SURGERY?  Whaaaaaaat?   I was diagnosed by the nurse practicioner last fall.  I don’t really think much has been done, and am going back for the THIRD try this time before heading to a specialist.   On my own I’ve tried Priolosec OTC, Zantac, and probably some other things that I can’t remember.  Nothing worked.   In the fall, the nurse practitioner gave me samples of Aciphex.  That worked, probably 70 percent of the time.  I fought with my insurance over that, and failed.  It retails for something like $190/month’s supply.  So I’ve been on prescription Zantac (Ranitadine) for a while.  I abuse it.  I take more than I should and or mix it with over the counter Zantac.  I know, I know, that is horrible.  I also abuse Tums and Mylanta.  I am miserable and desperate.   I have cut out all carbonated beverages (cry, sob, ugg), and many of the spicy foods that I love.  Hot Wings, for example, are a red light food.  As is anything minty.  And FORGET eating anything after say 5PM for fear of reprocussions when I go to sleep.  I’ll just eat unleavened bread with the early crowd of retirees and drink water from now on.  That’s how to LIVE at 35, right? Life has been pretty stressful this year.  Work has been ridiculous, and I have been going through infertility treatments.  If I do manage to get pregnant, I’ve read that it gets worse.  Ugg.  I teach, and have the summer off so I am hoping that helps tremendously.  I hope that meanwhile I also find some meds that actually help AND that my insurance has paid for.  Between infertility and these insurance dealings, I can fully say that PHARMACARE sucks!!! 

Update - I saw the doctor last week and she prescribed Nexium.  I promptly went to the pharacy and was told that I needed prior authorization for Pharmacare to pay.  So I will just wait until my next appointment a few weeks from now and take the actual effing list to the doctor to see what we might try that's paid for.  So frustrating!  The Nexium samples actaully seem to work well.  Of course.

She also ordered a Barium Swallow, which is an xray where you swallow some chaulky stuff.  That'll be in a few weeks also.  So... some progress, I guess.  :) 

Updated Update...  Barium Swallow - yuck!  They took a little video of it and actually SHOWED it to me, which was gross but neat. The good news is that my esophagus is fine, no major damage.  Whew!  Then I had a follow-up appointment with the general practictioner who is sending me to the GI doctor.  She said he'd likely do the "scope", which doesn't sound fun.  She gave me lots of samples of Nexium and Aciphex.  I LOVE free samples!  I actually told her that she rocks!  Then felt embarrassed because I am not 15 years old, and probably should not be telling a 60 year old doctor that she rocks.  But, she does!  :)