Tag Archives: GERD

On Higher Glucophage Dose for Awhile Now

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on July 18, 2009 by 4

I’ve been on the double dose of Metformin (Glucophage) now for about 2 weeks, and it has definitely helped with the fasting blood glucose levels I test for first thing in the morning. I’m not doing so well, however, with the after meals tests for lunch and supper. I’ve even had some high readings when I’ve eaten the same thing I’ve had other lunches with good test results. It’s very discouraging, and I’ve begun to have bouts of depression over it. Hubby is extremely supportive, but it upsets him so much when I express the feelings of depression that I try to keep such comments to myself as much as I can, or, like here, vent on this blog. Right now it feels as if I’m never going to be able to eat a biscuit or have even a small helping of Italian food ever again, let alone a pizza! Desserts are off limits, too, unless I make them myself with artificial sweetener … and I don’t bake!!! I basically don’t cook, really, as hubby enjoys fixing lunch far more than I ever did. And I usually have something microwaved or canned soup for supper.

I get the most discouraged when we eat out. It’s awfully hard for me to find anything to eat that isn’t going to send my blood glucose too high, or get me off my diet, or set off my GERD. We ate at Waffle House the other night, and I just knew I was going to do OK, because I ordered a ham and vegetable filled omelet. I didn’t eat the grits, but I did eat the toast, and that was a mistake. Not only did I have a high reading afterward, but the omelet sat heavy on my stomach all the next day. I was not feeling well at all! I suspect it was because of all the butter they use in cooking their omelets, plus it had lots of cheese in it, which I’m not supposed to eat. Next time I’ll have to get one with minimum cheese and see how I do. Between watching my carbs and my calorie intake, and taking into account my lactose intolerance and my GERD … well, let’s just say that there’s not much left I can eat! LOL!

My knee is still bothering me, and that’s limiting my desire to exercise somewhat, plus it’s harder to make myself do it when I’m down in the dumps. I am doing the sets at least once a day on most days, and I go for Physical Therapy next week. I’m still losing a little weight each week, about a half pound a week. I broke 160 this week, which I’m very proud of. It will be several more days before I can call it 159, though, so I look forward to that milestone.

My continued weight loss has been good for counterbalancing my discouraged feelings about my diet. I’ll just have to keep on being proud of the weight loss, and try not to be so upset about the blood glucose readings. I think I can…I think I can…

Looking Forward to an Enjoyable Date Day Today

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on May 15, 2009 by 6

This should be an interesting Date Day today. We had a wreck last Friday coming home, when someone we knew hit us from the rear going at a high speed. Turns out he was high on prescription drugs. Anyway, the car is the worse for wear, but we are OK, with no ill effects. So today’s travels will be in our van, which is much harder for me to get in and out of … but nowhere near as difficult as it was to climb up and then get down from the wrecker cab. That was a hoot, as I have so little strength, but I made it. We’ll be going to one of those huge neighborhood sales this morning, one we went to last year when they had their big sale day. Should be fun!

I’ve started back exercising twice a day with the weights and stationary bike, but the improvement seems to be coming so slowly. I worked with the compost heap yesterday for the first time in several months. It’s been a shame to put so much good garbage in the trash can, but with the strep throat, horrible cough, and adjustment to 3 new meds all at once, plus having a toenail removed, I just haven’t been up to taking care of the yard. It just about did me in to work out there for about an hour, with several breaks to sit for a spell, so I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to work on the compost.

We have some beautiful black soil from last year’s efforts, and it looks like a little bit of the centipede grass that I planted last year may have survived the winter. I am proud of the fact that we only have a partial white trash bag to put out for the garbage truck each week, too. We recycle so much of our household trash that we make a contest out of seeing how little we can send to the landfill each week.

I am continuing to lose weight, which I’m very pleased about. I fully expect to be able to stop taking the diabetic meds, and maybe even the high blood pressure and cholesterol meds, too. “All I have to do” is get my weight down to where it should be. I’ve lost about 8 pounds so far, and that’s the first time my weight has gone down in several years. Judging from the last time I lost weight, way back before I was even diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I hit a plateau about this same weight, so it’s up to me to keep on watching portion sizes and keep working at it.

I’m not on a particular diet, just counting calories and trying very hard to control the number of carbs I get at each meal. I’m using a free online program to keep track of my food intake and exercise routine, and that helps to motivate me. I also bought a book for diabetics giving nutritional information on a large number of franchise restaurant and fast food menus. That has helped me to make some wise decisions about what to eat when we eat out on Friday and Sunday. I was even able to have a very small amount of Cookies n Cream ice cream last Sunday, without elevating my blood sugar.

I am having one problem that I need to call the Diabetic Specialist about, and that’s a nagging tickle that sets off coughing spells. I remembered my mother having the same symptom, and someone at church, too, so I looked it up. And sure enough, ACE inhibitors can cause a cough. There are other kinds of high blood pressure meds he can prescribe, so hopefully it’s just a matter of changing from one to another. It’s a very insistent cough, usually leaving me frantically tearing open a throat lozenge wrapper to get it stopped. And the cough comes out of nowhere … even wakes me up from sleep … very strange. It’s definitely not the cough that GERD causes, as I’ve had that cough before. That comes from stomach acid irritating the throat, and I’m not having any trouble with that right now, as I take my GERD into account in planning meals.

So I plan to deal with the cough today and have a fun day, too. I’m pleased with my weight loss program, and hopefully I’ll continue to exercise regularly, with no interruptions. I see the Physical Therapist next week, and I want to be ready for him. Maybe he’ll even decide it’s time to up the intensity of my workout a bit, so I can regain my strength. This old lady ain’t ready to quit yet!!!

Didn’t Know that Dry Mouth is Something to be Concerned about

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on October 29, 2008 by 2

I had my normal cleaning appointment yesterday and was careful to give my Dentist the new diagnosis and meds I was on. I told him that I had read that it was particularly important that I tell him I was on Triavil. I had assumed incorrectly that the caution had to do with using gas for dental work. But my dentist says that is not the reason for needing to know about it. He said that any meds or conditions that caused a dry mouth left the teeth much more open to rapid decay. It seems that saliva does a lot toward keeping the mouth bacteria population under control.

He suggested a Fluoride mouth wash, but NOT one that had alcohol in it. And he said that may be too strong for some people, and that it could cause gum irritation. There were alternatives that he could offer, but not over the counter products. So I will try this first and see how I do.

I told him that I had stopped using the TAP device, since the change in diagnosis, and because I was leary of using it while my GERD was acting up so much. I could not chance gagging and choking on the reflux acid that would back up into my mouth.

It did seem to stop the mouth breathing for a long time, but I have not been sleeping as well just lately, so I was thinking about trying it again. He said I needed to use it at least once a month regardless, because teeth tend to move ever so slightly over time. If I didn’t wear it often enough it would reach the point that it did not fit any longer. And I certainly don’t want to spend that money again sometime in the future, when I could have prevented it.

So I’ve been up most of the night tonight, just the way I used to do. This has been gradually coming on for the last few weeks, but tonight was the worst it’s been in a very long time. I’m actually wearing the TAP right now. We decided it made more sense to wear it for awhile while I am awake, until my mouth gets used to it again. Right now if feels like I have some huge thing in my mouth, but I’m sure it will become much more comfortable, just the way it did last time, if I work at it.

I have been noticing an increase in the way my brain and emotions cannot handle any kind of time pressure, no matter how slight. And every time I try to fool with those stupid Digital Converter boxes and try to tape a program it really shows up big time. I was so frazzled last night trying to get it set up to tape a program that I don’t think I could have told you my name!! It’s a horrible feeling, and one that I prefer to attribute to the med side effects, rather than a true sign of dementia onset. It’s hard to get that thought completely out of my mind, though, after caring for my mother so long before she died with Alzheimer’s. As I have mentioned in some other posts, my family’s neurological history is not pretty.

I’m continuing to try to up my activity level a little bit each day, but I still can only work in short spurts. After that I need to do something sitting for awhile, which for me usually means working on the computer.

And I’ve gone back to doing the neck exercises each morning (I wasn’t supposed to stop), since I’ve been getting the tingling nerve signal again that means the degenerated cervical disk is pressing on a nerve. I don’t want to end up in the stiff and painful situation I was in earlier this year, so for now at least I’m being a good girl and following doctor’s orders. It’s just hard to make myself faithfully do them when I’m feeling good. Yes, that’s childish and foolish. Guilty on both counts. But I’ll try to be better about continuing them this time, even when it stops bothering me.

It takes at least 21 times to build or break a habit, but it’s worth the 21 days to have a better Quality of Life!! So, old habits have been revived, and hopefully continued. This will give me something positive to work on each day.

I intend to ENJOY this Holiday Season, and not just survive it, the way I have the last few years.

I’m on the Full Triavil Dose Now

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on October 9, 2008 by 2

I’ve worked up to the full 3 times a day dose of Triavil, and my digestive system is definitely getting better. I am no longer eating something with every pill dose, but still with some that I think it would be wise. I also rearranged my pill taking times to make the schedule fit the Triavil better. I am supposed to take the last one late, but with food. That’s a big No No with GERD, so I have compromised by slowly moving my supper time to later in the evening. I still have to be through with all food and drink at least 2 hours before going to sleep, but it’s better than it was, anyway.

We have tried for some time now to use honey in my 8-10 cups of my anti-oxidant tea each day, trying to get away from the Splenda I was using. But, between the honey and eating something with each med dose, I’ve gained some weight again. So, after trying Xylitol and not finding it sweet at all, I am now using Stevia. So far I have not seen any bad effects from it, and cutting out the food with pills plus changing to zero calorie tea should help with the weight.

I’m still not getting as much exercise as I need to, although I continue to increase my activity level gradually, particularly with housework. And when I feel good enough I really enjoy having a clean house, so that is not the problem. I just wear out so quickly. I am a big fan of FlyLady, with her 15 minute chores!!!

I’m trying really hard to get ready for a yard sale to get some of the clutter out of here, plus we’re selling more toys than ever. That’s time consuming, but very emotionally rewarding, knowing that we are helping people find a lovie they are in some cases desperate to locate. The Lost Toys Search Service is our Ministry, as far as we’re concerned. But it’s the free side of our business, and the business pays for the time, gas, and items we sell. Each one helps the other, if that makes sense.

Every page of our listings and every email is sent with a scripture at the bottom that we picked as being appropriate for the audience we serve. And I add that signature with a tiny prayer that it is the right one for that person that day. God promises that his Word will not return void, and I claim that promise every day.

OK, that housework is beckoning, so while I still have some energy I need to go get something clean!!!

Decided to Go Slowly with Triavil

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on September 13, 2008 by  

I intentionally waited 24 hours after stopping the Bentyl before starting the Triavil, just as a precaution. As far as I could find the Bentyl has a short half life, so that should have been enough to get it out of my system.

The problem is …. I always try to do as much research as possible with any new medicine I take, and the more I read about the possible side effects of Triavil, otherwise known as Elavil, the less I liked it. By last night I was very upset about it and almost decided to call my Gastro today and tell him I didn’t want to take it.

But I did find that it was used off label for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and also for Insomnia. He would be prescribing it to me for IBS. I did not like the fact that it is an antidepressant. In fact I got pretty depressed last night just thinking about going on it. I found one place that said that the dose is much lower when used for IBS than for depression, and that did make me feel better.

The PDR said it would possibly make me sleepy, dizzy, or groggy, along with a bunch of other possibles that I don’t even want to write down. So … after much research and a lot of miserable hours I decided to take the night dose right before bed and see how I felt today.

Well, it did make me groggy this morning – that odd medicated feeling that’s not quite woozy, but not quite right, either. That lasted until close to noon, so I will just stay on the night dose for several days and see how I do. Eventually I am supposed to take it 3 times a day. But I’m in no hurry. Tardive Dyskinesia is in the list of possible side effects, and that doesn’t sound good at all!!! So for now it will be no more than 10 mg for me.

As for my digestion? I’m still hurting, and I felt lousy today, but we did go out on our Date Day. We came home early, but I would rather have done that than not go out at all.

Only time will tell how this plays out.

Changing from Bentyl to Triavil for Digestive System

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on September 11, 2008 by  

You may remember when my pharmacist caught what would have been a potentially fatal drug interaction some months ago, when I was still on Parkinson’s meds. At that time my Gastro was searching for some way to help my digestive system to work properly. He had prescribed Triavil, but ended up putting me on Bentyl instead. I have been taking it four times a day ever since. It worked well until I started on the Primidone, but I have had increasing and persistent digestive problems ever since.

He put me back on the strict Bowel Retraining program, limited my food choices even more, put me on the high powered PrevPak to heal the ulcerated stomach that the Endoscocpy found, and expected me to improve. I didn’t. Then he tried a week of some new med called Alinia, but still not any real improvement.

So today, since I am no longer on the PD meds that contraindicated it, I start on Triavil.

It might help if I explained how all this tummy trouble is related to the Movement Disorder. When I am not on medicine for it, it’s real easy to see the uncontrolled movements of various skeletal muscle groups. The twitches, jerks, shakes, tremors, and awkward gait could not possibly be ignored.

But what cannot be seen is what is happening inside me. If I try to stick out my tongue, even now that I am on medicine, you see that it is in constant motion. The same thing is true of throat muscles. Sometimes I can hear the click of the soft palate spasms, and I really didn’t realize that this was anything unusual. I have always had times when I could hear that click. Then come the muscles in the esophagus, that should rhythmically move food down to the stomach, where coordinated muscle action churns the food, passing it on to the small intestines. After the coordinated movements of peristalsis push the undigested food into the colon, the body removes the liquid and eventually we eliminate the solid waste, again using coordinated muscle movements.

Gee, did you notice my intentional use of the word coordinated??? Well, mine AIN’T!!!! It’s no wonder I have GERD, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, constipation, and even problems using rectal muscles properly.

So the Neurologist helps with the skeletal muscle problems, but it’s my Gastroenterologist who helps me with all these internal muscle problems. He has found the right combination to keep me comfortable before, and I am confident that he will this time, too.

I’ve Been OFF the Ulcer Antibiotics for a Week Now

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on August 31, 2008 by 2

Well, I’ve been off of the PrevPak high powered antibiotics for my ulcerated lower stomach now for a week, and I am not feeling good at all. I had hoped once the meds were out of my system that my energy level would pick back up. But my stomach still feels heavy and sometimes there’s the same dull pain. I just don’t feel good. Nothing I can really describe … one of those you know it when you see it kind of things. I’ll keep on eating a little something with each dose of pills, and I’ll be calling the Gastro this next week for sure.

We had a very sad occasion at our church this week. Our Minister of Music passed away from kidney complications after his second heart transplant surgery. We did not go to the funeral, which was huge. He was well known all over the state from long time service in many churches and choir functions. I just was not up to the crowd. And I did not go to Sunday School today either. Our class is about half choir members, and I knew they would be so upset. I can’t handle my emotions at all any more, and it makes me jerk and shake when I get upset. So hubby came back and got me for church. It was a beautiful worship service, but as the Pastor said – Everyone was in a fragile state right now. I’ve never been in a church where a staff member died. It was almost like a continuation of the funeral service in a way, except more joyful. After all, we know he is well and happy now, although people close to him personally still grieve for his loss here on earth.

It does help to put my aches and pains into perspective, though. So I feel yucky. I can still get up and move around the house easily enough, and I can work on the computer as much as I like. I enjoy helping people on the Lost Toys Search Service, and it’s fun to get sales from our website and on eBay. I enjoy hearing from our children and grandchildren, and I have the most wonderful hubby any woman could ask for.

I am truly blessed by God, and I can’t thank HIM enough for all the blessings he has given me over my lifetime.

Today is My Last Day on the High Powered Ulcer Antibiotics

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on August 24, 2008 by 2

I have been counting the days until this Prevpac was finished, because the strong antibiotics have sapped my energy something terrible. My tummy is still tender and I get very uncomfortable after anything, even water, is swallowed. So I don’t think the ulceration in my lower stomach is healed yet. I have felt a little better since I started eating a little something with each medicine dose, and I spread my meds back out over the day the way they used to be. I’m hoping that will keep my stomach from getting irritated and inflamed so badly again.

I am blaming this on the stress that the Clonazepam put me under, plus I have a long standing problem with GERD and have had ulcers before. I have not felt like exercising for a long time now, and I know that I need to, whether I feel like it or not. But the thought of moving is just so overwhelming. There are days when everything seems like such an effort. It’s hard to explain, but sometimes the thought of even getting up to go get a drink of water seems to be too much.

I’m not really depressed, the way I was with the Clonazepam, but just totally wiped out physically, which leaves me low on brain power, too.

So I am celebrating that this is my last day of this stuff and hoping that I see some improvement in my digestion this next week. If I don’t I’ll have to call the Gastro’s nurse, and I suspect he will put me back on another two weeks of this stuff. That’s what happened the last time I had an ulcer.

As for the jerking and tics, I am doing just fine. I have them more as the day goes on, but nothing at all like they used to be. I still startle in an odd way over the least little thing. My body seems to paralyze for a moment, my eyelids flutter, and everything goes blank for a second or two. Then I come out of it and usually realize that whatever startled me was trivial.

I have been able to use the relaxation techniques I learned a long time ago when I was being treated for Functional Dysphonia. I am using the low register of my voice, instead of allowing it to be the high pitched “female” voice. I have sung alto since elementary school, so that is a good indication that my speaking voice should probably be lower than what I normally use. Making a conscious effort to breath at the beginning of make a sound and letting it come from down deep has taken a lot of the strain off of my vocal chords, so I am not choking and gagging with a horrible tickle all the time any more. This was obviously stress induced, and that means I can control it to a great extent.

So once again I choose to look for the positive improvements I have made and hope and pray for continued good progress.

Tummy Is Still Complaining

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on August 14, 2008 by 4

I’ve been on the Prevpac high powered combination of two antibiotics and an acid reducer twice a day now since Monday, and my tummy is cramping more now when food or medicine touches it than it was before I started the medicine! Go figure. I’m going to call Dr. B’s nurse this morning, to see if there is something else I should be doing.

I have continued with the Glycerin suppository routine, but I quit the Milk of Magnesia every 3 days, as it did not seem necessary. I also moved a few of my medicine times around so that the Primidone is not the last thing I take before bed. That dose was going into a completely empty stomach, since I have to empty my tummy before I go to sleep, thanks to GERD. What I came up with is not ideal, but probably better than the way I had it. Now I take the Bentyl last, which is supposed to help the digestive muscles work smoothly and in the normal coordinated pattern, instead of spasms. Not sure that is any easier on my tummy or not, so I have several questions for the nurse.

She has been his nurse for a long time, and we have a good relationship. I have the highest regard for my Gastro and his nurse. They have both been very considerate and patient with me over the years. I never feel like I am being rushed through a mill. I have had a few doctors like that over the years, and I fired them all. I grew up with a family doctor who made house calls, so I like to use medical people who are willing to build a relationship with me. I am very thankful for the great doctors and staff who help me with all my health issues.

I continue to spend a lot of time on our Lost Toys Search Service, and on our online Catalog sales. I’m still a long way from having even half of our inventory cataloged, so it keeps me busy and mentally alert. There’s something new to learn almost every day, and that’s good for the old brain cells.

Speaking of sharpening the brain, have you tried the new Numbrix puzzle that Savant has added to her Parade Magazine article. It’s fun! I even found a place online to work the ones from past issues. I could get addicted to this puzzle very easily, and it’s a nice change from Sudoku.

So, tummy is still a problem, elimination is doing better, and brain is being stimulated. I’m not feeling good, so my energy level is low, but I am getting quite a bit accomplished each day.

All in all, no brain fog and no jerks …. I’d say that’s a good thing.

Had an Endoscopy Today

Day by Day with a Movement Disorder Posted on August 4, 2008 by  

My Gastro’s nurse called right at 5PM Friday afternoon to tell me that he wanted to do an Endoscopy on Monday, since I was still nauseated, with a yucky acid taste in my mouth, abdominal pain, and coughing fits after swallowing (NOT choking). He had expected me to be much better after going back on the full Bowel Retraining regimen this week.

Talk about hurry up!!! As luck would have it, the Outpatient Services place was closed when I called. I was able to find a place online where I could pre-register, but we had absolutely no idea what time my appointment was, since I did not get to talk to anyone.

So, we got up at 4:30AM today, headed into town, and just showed up there at 6AM when they opened. We went prepared with a whole bag of books, Sudoku puzzles, and magazines, fully expecting to have to wait no telling how long before they could work us in, but it all worked out OK! We were taken at 7AM and were out of there by 10:30!!

He did not find anything obviously wrong with the esophagus, but he did take a biopsy. And he suggested I see my ENT, as they might find something he did not.

My stomach was another matter, however. He could not tell for sure if it is irritated by my meds or if there is an infection, but the lining is definitely inflamed. He biopsied there, too, and told me to stay on the strict ulcer/GERD diet until I get the test results. And for the first time ever of the many times hubby and I have had Endoscopies, we came home with a printout of the “impressions” as to what he suspects the problem is AND photos!! I have lots of medical terms to research now, which I enjoy doing, as I always learn something of value – even if the possible diagnoses don’t turn out to be what is wrong with me.

We stopped and had a nice breakfast and I slept most of the way home, and other than a slightly sore throat, I am doing just fine. Of course I am on el blando diet right now.

I should find out some results by the end of the week, and certainly by sometime next week. It’s just a relief to have the test done and again chase away that nagging little demon sitting on my shoulder who whispers to me to raise doubts about whether I am really just a complainer and that there’s nothing really wrong with me.