grrrrrrrr why can't hubbies just do as asked? I have been sick...maybe have cancer sent hubby to

[greenbriar]

store to get me something to eat...I can't keep much of anything down

I get really hungry and usually can't eat more than a bite or two


all I wanted was some good mashed potatos and gravy...


he comes back with a ham sandwich? WTF


and then I can't keep it down


grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[jobycom]

1. Sorry to hear it. Was there an easy place to get mashed potatoes?

Hope you aren't as sick as you're afraid... Good luck.

[greenbriar]

2. yes, there are three chicken places down the street that all serve them

he decided to do the ham thing cause it sounded good.


NORMALLY it would, but not tonight


but I tried to eat it

[jobycom]

3. That's insensitive of him, then.

[Chan790]

4. Wow...

off-topic but reading this and the post the other night...Has your physician checked you for esophageal strictures? I've lost two family members and a close-friend's father to them and the symptoms are very-close to what you've been describing.

Tragedy is...they don't usually check for them in the absence of acid-reflux and it's so easy to correct. 20 minutes of local-anesthesia outpatient surgery once every 5-10 years.

[greenbriar]

5. esophageal strictures? I haven't heard of this

what is it?

no, I don't think I have been checked for that

[Chan790]

7. Narrowing of the esophagus...

caused by scarring from heartburn, vomiting and reflux. Over time in severe cases, the pipe gets narrower and it gets harder to swallow, anything harder than mush can't clear the blockage and comes back up instead. Because nothing is getting through, you still get hungry and yet eating causes a sensation that you can't eat, pain or even fullness. They have a wide number of causes ranging from genetics (in my family's case), poor diet and alcoholism(what killed my friend's dad), GERD or even cancer.

Mortality is low because patients are bothered by them and seek attention early. Untreated, the risk of perforation (and bleeding to death) is still moderately-low.

Diagnosis is typically by means of endoscope or barium series x-rays.

http://www.gastromd.com/education/esophagealstrictures.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000207.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic744.htm

[greenbriar]

9. I had an endoscopy last year and they didn't say anything about that

but they were concerned about my stomach


I will probably have to have another endoscopy

I go to the doctor in two weeks

[Chan790]

11. They'd have caught it then most likely...

trying to get the scope past a stricture would be like trying to go from 5 lanes to 2 on the GW Bridge. They're kind of hard to overlook.

[greenbriar]

6. here is why I am going to dr

Losing weight without trying:
If you have experienced a weight loss and haven't been try to lose weight, you really should get checked out by a doctor. Unintended weight loss can mean many things, and are not always indicative of cancer.
Nausea and/or vomitting:
Feeling nauseous and vomiting that lasts more than a day or two is a symptom of stomach cancer, also. Persistent stomach upset is not only uncomfortable, but harsh on the stomach and esophagus.
Loss of appetite:
Not feeling like eating for a day or two can be okay, but anything longer should be reported to your doctor.
Do you bloat, especially after eating?:
This is one of the more common symptoms of stomach cancer. If you are bloated a lot, try to take notice if it occurs after eating. Keep in mind, that bloating in general is also a symptom.
Abdominal pains and discomfort:
This can range from mild discomfort to severe pain. This is the symptom of stomach cancer that usually prompts people to get care.
Changes in bowel habits:
Diarrhea and/ or constipation can be symptoms of stomach cancer. If

[Radio_Lady]

16. Are you really having some of those symptoms -- or all of them???

[greenbriar]

19. all of them

at any given time

[Connonym]

24. Oh that's terrible

I'll be wishing you the best of luck. Hopefully it's something "simple" like an ulcer that they can fix up. I'm glad you're going to the doctor. Please be sure to let us know what happens. And tell your DH to come here so I can kick his ass. You need some mashed potatoes AND chicken soup. :hug:

[Breeze54]

8. That sucks! -

I have a feeling a LOT of men do this exact same thing.

I write my son a list and then he'll call me, every time, on his
cellphone from the store to double check. It's nuts!! :crazy:

My ex husband used to do the same thing and seemed to not get what was requested a lot too. :grr:

Maybe he's just upset? Maybe he just wasn't thinking? Maybe the sandwich was really for him? :P

I'm so sorry, greenbriar. :hug: When will you know what the diagnosis is?

[greenbriar]

10. thanks

I go to the doctor in 2 weeks...

hubby just wasn't thinking ...

He knows I can't hardly keep anything down..he asked if I was hungry and I said not really but mashed potatos sounded good and that the chicken place three blocks away made some good ones...

he left and when he came back he had gone to the grocery store and brought back ham and tomatos and swiss cheese and said it sounded better... he cooked it up for us

I smiled and thanked him and tried to eat but just couldn't keep it down

[Breeze54]

13. Maybe you should just stick to applesauce and soup?

:hug:

I went through a similar experience with an attacking gallbladder and that's all I ate for weeks.

Every time I ate solid foods?

I'd be in pain, rushed to hospital and projectile vomit. It was scary!!

I hope you feel better soon! :hug: :(

[Radio_Lady]

17. Just a quick warning about mashed potatoes... they sometimes put WHITE PEPPER in it and...

it isn't bland... it's VERY SPICY! KFC and Popeye's do (or did) this and I was in agony after I realized I had eaten it.

[Radio_Lady]

12. You might consider using a liquid like Ensure until you get to the doctor.

I used it quite successfully before my esophageal endoscopy, which revealed nothing important.

However, you might wish to know that my husband and son-in-law have both struggled with a syndrome which was corrected by simple dilation surgery.

Here's the story on Schatski's Ring:

A hiatal hernia is often present in association with the reflux. This concentric lower esophageal ring sometimes called a Schatzki's ring often occurs at the junction between the esophagus and the stomach and sometimes can be present for years. When diagnosed, it can be easily treated by passage of a dilator through the area to break open the scar tissue and relieve the narrowed area.

Of course, we all hope it is not cancer.

Please accept my best wishes for a complete recovery.

Warm regards,

Lady Ellen of Alpen Knoll

[greenbriar]

14. I actually was thinking of chocolate shakes

maybe I could keep them down

[Radio_Lady]

15. Try a little bit at a time. I used to drink the Ensure chocolate at room temperature.

Try not to worry until you get a real diagnosis. I know that's hard because we can get all kinds of fantasies going about our health.

Is there any possiblity of being seen sooner? Or can you get a nurse practitioner in on this -- or a triage person on the telephone? Sounds like you are really struggling with this.

Do you feel comfortable enough to take a walk? Watch television? Catch a movie? Knit or crochet? Read a book? Chat with a friend?

Now, I know this will sound funny, but:

Put a rubber band around one of your wrists (not too tight).
Snap it HARD every time your start thinking about your physical condition and the nagging "WHAT IFs"????

The process is called "THOUGHT STOPPING" and it is part of cognitive behavior therapy.
I learned how to do it in the 1980s and it helped me stop my panic about flying in airplanes -- as well as other times when I began to feel anxious.

I wouldn't suggest alcohol (that aggravates the esophagus) but some small dose of anti-anxiety medication might be in order until you are seen and scoped. I hope I've been of some help.

Good luck!

Warm regards,

Lady Ellen of Alpen Knoll

[ccharles000]

18. ...

:hug:

[CreekDog]

20. you seem young for the thing that you are most worried about

focus on the present and eat BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast).

good luck. :hug:

[greenbriar]

21. thank you but I am 42 B.R.A.T sounds like a good idea

can I substitute malt o meal for rice

[CreekDog]

22. yeah 42 that's what i meant

i dunno about substitutes but they are the things that are easy on your stomach and i think absorb acid.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

23. This is what I drink when I have an upset stomach.

HOT Jello.

Yes, HOT jello. Very soothing. People think I am nuts but I learned it from my big sister.

[CreekDog]

25. try those Country Crock ready made mashed potatoes

wow are they good. :P

[greenbriar]

26. I will

thanks