But first, here's what I added to my original post last week, for those who missed it.
I went to a gastroenterologist on Tuesday because the reflux is still hurting me, and he gave me some samples of Aciphex. I feel better, but it'll be a little while before I feel normal again. I then went in yesterday for him to do an endoscopy to survey the extent of the damage and it turns out there isn't any. According tot the doc, my stomach looks perfectly normal! I'm going in for a CT scan of the upper GI region on Monday and if there's nothing wrong there, it looks like I'll be on Aciphex for a month or so and then I'll be done with meds. (I'm crossing my fingers on that!)
Thanks again for the advice and suggestions. I've cut way back on dairy (to the point where it upsets my stomach if I have even a little bit) and am still off caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes, and citrus fruits for the time being. Once I feel better I'm going to get on an exercise program and try to drop some more weight--I'm down 15 pounds in the last month, but to be honest that's mostly because I've not felt like eating much what with the reflux and all. I'm also going to try out some meditation DVDs that I found over at Amazon.com to help deal with my stress levels. I figure it can't hurt.
You guys are the best--I can't thank you enough. :)
I heard from the doctor's office on Wednesday, and the bloodwork that I had done last week and the CT scan both came back normal (woohoo!). I got a prescription to continue the Aciphex and my next doctor's appointment (just a follow-up) is August 3rd. If I'm still okay then, the doc will probably have me stop taking the Aciphex. I'm crossing my fingers that I won't have to take
any prescription meds once he gives me the okay.
I also found out that there's someone I work with who's been taking Aciphex for about a year (!) and he said it took him about a month before he could eat the way he did before--now he's back to eating spicy foods and everything! I thought that was good news, since I loves me some spicy food.
The meditation DVDs are here, too, and I'll be lookin' 'em over this weekend.
Anyhow, hope that wasn't too long and rambling. Just thought I'd put another update out there and say thanks yet again to my fellow tofu ghetto denizens. :)