In The Beginning

Severe chest pain, is how I remember that day in the mid 1990's. I had arrived at work, shortly after exercising at the fitness center with an intense pain in my chest. I told my boss that I didn't feel good and asked if I could go home (I know, if you are having a heart attack you should ask for help). I headed towards my doctor's office, a 25 mile drive, and glimpsed an Immediate Care facility at about the 4 mile mark. I was scared and thinking I was having a heart attack so I stopped. They hooked an EKG up to me and assured me that I was not having a heart attack or stroke. They said I was probably suffering from acid reflux (gerd) and recommended I continue on to my doctor's office.

This is where my journey began. For the next 10 years I would suffer from acid reflux. At first my doctor prescribed Prylosec, then after a few years Prevacid, then doubled my prescription for Prevacid, then a double prescription of Prevacid and Mylanta or Mallox. All the while I was on a controlled diet per doctor's recommendations. I gave up drinking alcohol because it was like drinking gasoline (at least I imagine). I gave up citrus, acidic foods like tomatoes, salsa, coffee. I gave up greasy foods, spicy foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine and CHOCOLATE! Still I suffered, until I was in constant pain and the insurance companies were balking at paying for my prescriptions. Finally, I had an endoscopy and was told I had acid reflux (really?) and a hiatal hernia. My doctor said, "It looks like you'll be on Prevacid the rest of your life." I responded, "But it's not working! Why would I take medicine that isn't working?"

I was in grief. I thought I would live in pain for the rest of my life. All my favorite foods avoided. The head of my bed raised up so that my upper body would be higher than my stomach. The threat of these severe attacks always looming.

Then one day a coworker handed me a book. "Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About". The book is one big infomercial, but it gave me just enough information to start doing my own research. Here I am some 20 years later living pain free, eating the foods I want to and sleeping on a flat bed.

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" - Hippocrates 431 B.C. It's words that I live by; I'd say food and exercise. I created this blog, first as a personal web page, then on Blogger, and later on Facebook. I want to share the things I've learned to help others, perhaps you? When I first started the information was hard to find; or people wanted you to pay for it. Now the internet is filled with information and sometimes it's a challenge to filter through it all. Hopefully you find my pages informational and worthwhile.

If you are suffering from any condition I recommend you get in contact with a naturopathic doctor and let them help you find a cure for what ails you. 

The original post from my first web page Overcoming Acid Reflux