Just back from the doctor - need some advice(repeat)
#243861 - 02/03/06 11:03 AM
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Stephie
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 2696
Loc: Vancouver, Canada
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**I also posted this on the Living Room, but I thought I may get some more insight here and I could really use it. Sorry for the repeat if you are reading this twice**
Hey guys,
I don't know who to talk to about this, and I could really use some advice. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place and I just don't know what to do.
I went to the doctor today, I have been having such problems with my throat lately that I finally gave in and went back again. It is so uncomfortable and painful that I have trouble swallowing, can't eat for hours and lately it has even made me breathing feel weezy. When it happens, the pain is on one side of my throat mostly and it lasts for over 15 hours (like now, from something I ate yesterday and I still can't eat).
Right, so, I went and once again I was told it was reflux. I have been taking Zantac (after asking my doctor for something else, and being given that instead) because all the other reflux meds give me such bad D that I was in the bathroom more than 10 times a day.
Right, so, today I go in and she tells me I need to get on some kind of reflux meds because if it is feeling this bad I am doing some serious damage to my throat and all that jazz.
So I started to panic. She wrote me a prescription for losec (sp) for 2 weeks worth, said to try and stop it if makes me D a lot worse. Thing is, I can't afford to have it get worse.. I take public transport to and from work, and I take like 80 phone calls a day. I can't have liquid D 12 times a day. AND if I miss one more day of work, I have a very good chance of getting fired as I have already had a warning.
To make matters worse, she said that I really need to have the scope down the throat thing. Now, I didn't USED to be so scared of this procedure but since I had my colonoscopy, I am terrified. They "sedated" me for my colonoscopy, but I was totally awake and aware of every little thing and I CANNOT go through that with something going down my throat! I am so scared about this, that I have already had to run to the loo twice today since finding out.
To make matters WORSE, I went to fill my 2 week prescription and it cost me $51.50!!!!! I put a big chunk of my benefits into prescriptions and they said that this particular medication wasn't covered. The generic OR the name brand. And it was the generic that cost me that much! This is the second prescription I have tried to fill since my benefits kicked in that hasn't had ANY coverage AND I have only tried to fill those two!! What is the point of paying for these benefits and then not getting any coverage on my prescriptions?
And that is $1200 a year for ONE medication, that may or may not give me such bad D that I can't function!
What should I do??? Do I take the medication, even though similar ones have made me sick? Do I NOT take the medication, and suffer with this pain that is getting worse and worse all the time and aparently is costing me long term damage?
I sat in the car when I came home, and just cried and cried. My stomach is finally starting to settle down (not great, not even so good.. but better) and I could screw it right up with this medication. But this discomfort in my thraot is making it impossible to eat, hard to swallow and harder and harder to breathe. Even more, it is harder to talk which is really difficult at work as all I do is talk!
I will have to wait a few months to see the specialist (who will do the scope) and in the meantime, I don't know what to do.
I am so tired of this, one thing gets a little better and the other falls apart. I am feeling really sorry for myself at the moment, but also so confused.
Please help, any advice is appreciated!
Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Well, first, sorry you are feeling so bad. I had an endoscopy (thing down the throat) and I don't remember anything at all. They put me out and I did not wake up till much later and my mom had to tell me what I missed. So I don't think it would be too bad to have one, just make sure the doctor knows you want to be totally knocked out.
Also, I have never really had acid reflux, but I know you definitely need to stay away from peppermint tea, it only makes it worse. Also, try eating bready things like french bread and crackers.
I am not sure what the directions for taking an acid reflux type medicine are, but I always make sure I take any vitamins, medicines, pain killers, etc. with food. Taking things on an empty stomach almost always upsets my stomach.
Hopefully, someone with more reflux experience will reply to you.
good luck.
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I'm sorry you're having bad reflux problems. I can definitely relate right now. You know, probably, I'm on Nexium and it's not doing jack squat right now for me but making my D worse, too! I think it's from the lexapro they just put me on. I wasn't having such horrible reflux until they put me on the lexapro. So, I called the gasro doc and he told me to take 2 Nexium a day. One in the morning and one at night. WHAT???!!! NO, way!!! This stuff makes my D bad enough when I just take 1. I don't know what to do either, so I can't offer you any advice except to keep your diet bland so it doesn't further irritate your reflux. It sounds like you could have possibly have a hiatal hernia, like me. I have alot of your same symptoms and pepto is my best friend, lately!
Take Care and get well soon!
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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Sorry Stephie,
If it helps any, my son had the scope thing and said it wasn't bad at all. He also had bad reflux and after the scope found that he had quite a bit of damage to his esophagus. The doc put him on Prilosec and now he's fine.
In my opinion, you should at least try the new med but be sure and take with food. Would it help to take an Imodium to help with the "D"? I don't think you should just forget about this problem because it could be causing some damage to your throat.
Hope you are better very soon.
Barbie
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Hmmm. You need to have the scope asap...could you get in any earlier? It may be something else and you won't know any more till the scope.
Tell the docs about your bad experience with the colonoscopy. They'd normally sedate you more heavily for the gastroscopy anyway, but maybe they could do it under a general as you didn't respond to the other sedative? Anyway, there are definite possibilities with that. 
Have you also tried Immodium with the PPIs to try and combat the D?
I'd also second the bland diet, small meals, no quick drinks, etc, etc.
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I understand so much of what you have experienced as far as work & the cost of meds goes! I can't be much help on the reflux, because since I started Heather's diet, I don't seem to be having that problem--here is my advice:
WORK: When I first REALLY started having BAD problems last year, I was three months into a new job that I absolutely love with great pay. I commute in very heavy traffic that is frequently in a stand still (let's just say I know how to drive through a grassy median to turn around and get to the last place that has public restrooms!) ANYWAY, I was very honest with my Regional Manager as well as the VP that I report to about what was going on--probably to the point of TMI, but I had to do what I had to do, as I lost my job partly due to other health-related issues. They were both very understanding, and gave me all of the tools I needed to be able to work at home as needed, including forwarding my office phone to my cell. Through the last few months as the docs were deciding what combination of meds would best help while they were determining my diagnosis, I kept them informed--most days calling them after an appointment before my husband or family. I have also provided countless doctor's excuses for most of my absences. This has really helped with the fact that I am still very new in the position and missing a lot of time from work. They are pleased with my progress and I am getting back to my normal work ethic as I get more stable each day.
MEDS: Find a local neighborhood-type pharmacy, not a big chain and talk to the pharmacist--my local pharmacist helped me out last year when I was not working and only had major medical, and despite the fact that I have awesome insurance, he still helps me out, as my current meds copay is over $200/month combined (I don't even want to calcs the annual expense)--I am only paying him a fraction of this as most of my meds do not have generics available. I know that he is still making money from me or he would not be helping me out. He knows that I have a very good job, but also understands the overall circumstances that I have with all of the tests and other medical bills that I have incurred over the past months, not to mention the months that I was unemployed and still trying to catch up from. Also, I have a friend who works in the pharma industry and many companies now have programs to help with the cost of meds--I even found a coupon on-line for one of my meds--look up the manufacturer on the web and see how they can help you.
I hope that this helps a bit!
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Beth
IBS-D, IBD, Pain
Working toward stability
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