*Moving post from a post*

Just a little update:

I went to doc on saturday and had to go for a few tests.

I have: Another bout of a throat infection & ear infection (crap!)
I was able to get into to see a specialist (at the hospital) and get this procedure done where they stick a tube with camera down your throat (it SUCKED!!!! I gagged so badly, even though they sprayed my throat with this numbing crap) All I was told to was "relax...relax". Well how the HECK DO YOU RELAX WITH A FREAKING TUBE DOWN YOUR THROAT! (sorry a little bitter about it)

I have three ulcers on my esophagus, and a hernia (where the stomach comes into my esophagus).

I was given heck for not properly taking my Nexium (I wasn't taking daily because it's so DARNED EXPENSIVE) but was taking it when I needed it.

Because I stopped taking it - the acid was building up in my esophagus at night time (as I was sleeping - not feeling it).

So they gave me three months (FREE) of the medication (That's almost $250 worth!). I have to take it DAILY.

I have to keep up with my diet (duh) and hopefully the stomach will settle back where it belongs.

I have to go back in three months to see if my stomach is still pushing into the esophagus... if so, I may need to have surgery.

They think the stress between the dieting, quitting smoking and quitting caffine, working in a high stress job & problems with my son's health - has helped form the ulcers (with help from the gastric juices leaking into the esophagus).

I also caught heck from not seeing them sooner. Well if I had been in more pain sooner, I would have GONE sooner.

Anyways - that's what's going on with me. No wonder I've been feeling like **** lately!




NOW I've got a freaking cold, and my kidneys are hurtin something awful. I's a falling apart I tell ya!!!

All my kids are sick too... I can't miss work - I have no more sick days. But will have 3 vacation days next week tagged onto the long weekend.


Anyone else sick this season too?

Tamaralynn:
Do you have health insurance? I am asking because if you do not have insurance, there are programs out there that allow you to get medicines at no cost or very little. I can help you find them if you want...............but you have to have NO insurance.

I am sorry so much is going on with you, I hope your health improve soon.
cheryl

We do have health insurance... which is 100% covered (usually). If it is deemed "absoultely required medications" then you get your money back anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months, but you still have to pay for everything up front - which of course doesn't help when you need the money to pay bills, rent etc.

I've about given up on this job... I love it and most of the people I work with, but I'm always SICK from working with so many germy people. Just this semester alone (past 3 months) I have had: bronchitis, ear and sinus infections (right after our wedding), Strep throat, a cold and now this. Did you know I got sneezed on TWICE yesterday... by FREAKING COLLEGE STUDENTS?


Thanks hellokitty

I am so sorry that you are going through such a string of viruses. I went through a couple years of just plain awful health--2005 and 2006. I work from home(which I wouldn't trade for anything) but major health insurance doesn't come with my job. Yes, you can still get sick (in fact I think I am more vulnerable since I am not out in the public)working home alone!

I decided this year to be proactive and get a flu shot. It was a gamble because the last one I got in 2000 I had a reaction to and it scared me off but the past couple of years I have gotten so sick that it scared me and I missed a couple weeks of work, which I didn't get paid for.

It is hard for those of us who try to get by without health insurance or ones with certain rules you have to follow. Although I often remind my DH that when I did have it most of the time it was stress-induced viruses (like I am sure yours are) that sent me to the dr!

I didn't get a reaction to the flu shot I got three weeks ago And, I have added taken Vitamin C and MSM for the immune system. I hope both of us are better off from now on. Take care and take it easy

I began working in a daycare in May of this year, and I've been pretty much sick ever since. We see A LOT of abused kids, and lot of kids who come from situations where they aren't able to always get the best health care, so of course, they come to daycare sick. After I was there for a week, I ended up so sick I spent 4 days in the hospital and was completely bed-bound for 2 weeks. That SUCKS for a 19 year old.

Now that college is back in session, I'm just subbing at my daycare, but I'm still sick all the time. I've added in a good multivitamin and extra Vitamin C and B-12, and it's helped considerably, but I still live with a constant headache. I'm also sure I have an ear infection, and am brewing a sinus infection.

So you ain't alone in falling apart! My mom jokes that I'm in worse shape than she is, and she just turned 50!

Being sick stinks! I hope your situation improves - and I noticed that you're Canadian so I want to suggest applying for your provincial drug coverage program if the medication is out of your ability to pay for.

Most provinces, including Manitoba have a program called pharmacare that covers my MS meds because they're freaking expensive...close to 20 grand a year! Hopefully Alberta has something available too?

Thanks everyone

I got a flu shot last week, I figured I would try it (never had one before). Unfortunately flu shots only cover about 6 percent of all the viruses going around ick.



As for sending kids to daycare sick. I have to admit I have done that before... being a single mom for so long, I had no choice but to have drop my child off at daycare sick as I could not find an alternate childcare worker, or take the day off in fear that I wouldn't afford rent. But if my child was REALLY ill, I deffinately found a way to keep them home.

I'm deffinately gonna get in the vitamin train. Someone I know swears by ColdFX - I'll get some this weekend (Todd gets paid).

As I said before, we do have a great insurance plan - unfortunately you have to pay for everything upfront and get reimbursed after 2 weeks - 2 months.

I feel for you... So much!

I'm in the ache all over, hurt from head to toe, constantly cold... All from the weight loss. Throw in my weirdness with the dumb allergy and I am constantly scratching or rubbing myself. Talk about embarrassing since the first places to itch are my thighs or my head. Yeah... You can laugh at the thought of me trying to discreetly scratch the back of my thighs in public... Or my inner thighs.

I actually had to have them compound Ibuprofen and Benydryl because I can not take over the counter... And they only do them in lots of 100. 1-1.50/pill isn't so bad till you are getting 200 between two types.

I am also in the 2 weeks - 2 months range but only if it has a DIN number. Did you know specially compounded pills that are the equivalent to those with DIN numbers still are generally not covered? *banging head on desk* That's ok... I am clawing this one back on taxes!

I use to get heartburn bad... I mean... They were worried I was burning everything from top to bottom and my body started naturally "dumping" food due to high stress. I was sleeping sitting up partially for a long time. Have you tried doing that... Just a 30-45 degree angle for a while to see if you can keep the acid levels further down and keep them from flowing as they do when you are flat?

I totally feel for you sweetie. I so wish I could wave a magic wand and make this one better.

Oh I am so sorry you are going through this. Make sure to take that medication though for the 3 months straight, even when you start to feel better. It needs to run its full course.

With the proper medication and diet you will be feeling better shortly. Take care of yourself. And hang in there. Things are definitely going to get better from here on in.

Thanks everyone

We have placed 2 - 3 inch bricks under the posts at the head of our bead so our bed sits at a 6 inch incline. It took a little while to get used to it, but has really helped

I always forget the idea of keeping those receipts for tax purposes... probably because if I send them in (whether they refund me or not) they will not return the receipts.

I'm seeming to gain weight with these meds though I've changed nothing (eating between 1000 - 1500 cals/day, depending on how I feel). I'm wondering if the meds are making me hold water? Or maybe it's because I'm sick?? I dunno lol I'm stuck around 237 lbs... I'm just gonna keep trucking. I'm not going to let it go to heart - as everyone says, the body does strange things (especially when you're sick).

Gonna eat more oranges and suck out that natural vitamin C

Yes... It does take a bit to get use to but it is totally worth it.

Here is what you do. Photo copies or doubles. Most places will print you a duplicate if you tell them you have to send it in... I put mine in a folder by my desk all year long for anything personal. My business receipts are in my glove box *thank gawd it is almost year end cause I can barely close it*.

Drink as much water as you can, and exercise. Maintaining is still better than gaining... I was on something that made me gain 7-15 lbs every 3 months... And I was on it for 3 years. *banging head on table*

Careful with those acid levels...

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocente...mins/vitaminC/

Maybe Broccoli? Or Sweet Red Pepper (holy high amounts...)... You could use them as munchie sticks so they were raw and you had something to nibble...But the amount of Vitamin C is higher than oranges and the acid levels have GOT to be lower.



Hope that helps a bit...

Thank you so much for your input and suggestions!! I love oranges... but you're right, I usually pay for it afterwards (as well as vitamin 5 chewies or tabs).

I'd eat brocolli, but I'd stink Todd out of the room at night *blush*
I never knew sweet red peppers that that much Vitamin C!! Is that like the red bell peppers?? If that's the case I'll be buying a ton of them!

Talk to your doctor and tell him or her that you don't have the money to lay out for your medicine. They usually have tons of samples to give you or they can figure out a way to get your medicine paid for by insurance first. You have to be very proactive when it comes to your healthcare. No one is going to fight for your health except you. Don't be embarassed about not being able to lay out the money in advance for your medicine, tons of people are in the same boat. We have patients like this all the time at my hospital and we are usually always able to find a way for them to get their meds! Even if you have to go to your doctor every three months and pick up samples from him...it's worth it.

Goodness! I'll say a prayer for you, sweetie...get well!