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Lori Christian's avatar

I have GERD too! Since 2011 they put me on Omeprazole. It really works, I get double dose 40mg. I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time. I had to swallow what felt like a belt buckle then I heard "turn on your side" while feeling the colonoscopy jabbing. It was truly awful. I was 47 the youngest in the waiting room. The night before cleanse with the green jello made me laugh it did not work for a few hours and then oh my I thought to myself this is what models must do. I have not had a colonoscopy since my internal practitioner of medicine does a non invasive way of annual check. I recommend avoiding alcohol and hot sauce. HUGS!!

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Tosh Berman's avatar

My glass of wine every night seems to have disappeared, and hot sauce is just a rumor in my life right now.

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Lori Christian's avatar

I’m an L.A. girl who grew up on Mexican food with salsa,grilled jalapeño peppers and lots of sciracha sauce! I also drank too much among other things. You’re going to feel better soon. Make sure you elevate yourself on the bed. I remember thinking I was having a heart attack and drove myself to the ER and found out I had GERD. Once that omeprazole kicks in you’ll be fine. Also coffee I quit that too until recently I found out that dark roast is less acidic. I get the Italian dark roast coffee beans at World Market.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

I love Mexican food. At the height of my GERD outbreak, I went to a market and said goodbye to my favorite foods and drinks. It was helpful for me. And I had to give up coffee, which is kind of painful and sad.

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Jared Mazzaschi's avatar

I too have Gerd and recently (6 months ago) had an endoscopy. I was prescribed a daily dose of Omeprazole (20 mg) and its shocking how much better I feel. Tosh, I too had horrible coughing spells and I dreaded laying down to sleep. No longer. I hope you are able to find some relief. An endoscopy, while certainly not pleasant, isn't such a big deal. Look forward to hearing some good news from you.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

In a few weeks I will have an endoscopy, and hopefully like you I will be able to lay down whenever I want to. I'm happy to hear that you are feeling better. I'll follow your light. Thanks.

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Bill Shannon's avatar

Sorry Lori, I was trying to direct it to @Tosh Berman, but apparently replied to you? I've read Ugly Things as well, and it's a decent read.

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Bill Shannon's avatar

Scrap Mojo, it ain't working no mo.’ Instead check out Shindig! and Record Collector. No, you don't need to collect LPs to dig RC. These are the best magazines on rock music out there, an admittedly thinning herd, sadly. You'll find great writing about great bands and artists, olde and new, inside.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

I like Shindig! and Record Collector a lot—especially Record Collector. Those magazines are so expensive! And Mojo as well. On the other hand, you do get good graphics and minimal ads (probably detrimental to the magazine's health), but there you go.

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Bill Shannon's avatar

All magazines are absurdly expensive these days and these two - RC & Shindig - far more, as the cost for an overseas subscription is astronomical. But they sure feel worth it when reading them in a comfy chair... or bed! I think they're around $15-$17 each at Borders. I remember when $15 would by 4 or 5 great magazines. Times have changed...

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Tosh Berman's avatar

I like Ugly Things as well. It takes a significant amount of skill and vision to focus on a particular type of music and do so with good writing.

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Tyler King's avatar

Almost takes a curator.

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Lori Christian's avatar

You failed to mention Ugly Things as well. I know all too well about the mags you mentioned unless you are directing this to @Tosh Berman

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Jeff Albeck's avatar

Tosh, being sick is a full time job.. I hope the comments help you but I am taking medications that basically eliminate my appetite and since I live in the desert I sweat day and night. If you get bored you can come visit and we can sweat together...

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Tosh Berman's avatar

That sounds great. We can sweat together. I hope you will feel better Jeff.

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djE's avatar

Sending you healing energy, Tosh!

Guess we're "at that age... WTF!" I'm on the every 3 year plan for colonoscopy and endoscopy for "issues". A friend of mine said part of our job now is to stay healthy. Heavy sigh.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

It sucks, but it's interesting to have this new lifestyle—the stay healthy plan. I agree that age brings wisdom, but I miss the drinking and eating an oversized (and over-sauced) sandwich, topped with French Fries or Onion Rings, with Thousand Island sauce. Now, if I'm lucky, I can add a sprinkle of olive oil on a piece of bread.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

Staying healthy is a full-time job these days. One can retire from their work, but one can never truly retire from seeking medical attention and maintaining good health.

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Elizabeth Yoo's avatar

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well, Tosh! Hope you feel better soon! I read DON'T LOOK NOW in an anthology of Daphne Du Maurier's stories years ago, and it unsettled me more than anything else I’ve read. I’ve actually been thinking about revisiting it lately.

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Tyler King's avatar

Your post brought to my mind, perhaps unfortunately, Van Morrison's song TB Sheets.

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Jim George's avatar

I had an endoscopy years ago and was put into a twilight zone by a shot of liquid valium … didn’t remember a thing and was in a blissful swoon for 6 hours after returning home. Thank God the stuff isn’t available over the counter. It might be an option for you. Best of luck.

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Jack Skelley's avatar

Tosh -- adding my empathy here. I have it too, and the esopho-scoping ruled out anything serious like cancer. I've been there with the all-night coughing but yours sounds way worse. UGH. My meds are working. Noting again here: A very good over-the-counter is Gaviscon. Works fast. hang in there xoxo

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Tosh Berman's avatar

I don't think mine is worse exactly. But I had a coughing spell right before I fell to sleep last night. Once asleep, my body is settled. And then next morning I stand up, and trouble comes. And thanks to your advice I did get Gaviscon. It doesn't stop the coughing for me, but it makes my chest feel better, which is really helpful. Thanks!

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James Champagne's avatar

I think I've had 4 or 5 endoscopies so far in my life. I actually kind of enjoy them. Of course, I was on anesthesia, so I was put to sleep for them. Very relaxing. Like some other people on here, I also take Omeprazole (one dose of 40mg a day), which usually keeps the acid in check.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

James, I'll keep this in mind. I'll ask my doctor about Omeprazole. Thank you!

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Nick Ebeling's avatar

Keeping the faith for a full recovery, my great friend.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

I never want to cough again, ever!

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Allison Burnett's avatar

Have you seen the film adaptation of Don’t Look Now?

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Tosh Berman's avatar

Yes, I did! The day I read Don’t Look Now. That was a great experience. Roeg did an excellent job adapting the story to film.

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Allison Burnett's avatar

Actually, my brilliant screenwriter friend, Allan Scott, and his writing partner did the adapting. :). But, yeah, Nick Roeg did an incredible job The British Film Institute ranked it the best British film in history.

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Tosh Berman's avatar

It's a great screenplay. Roeg is an endless pleasure. He wrote a memoir, but it is sort of an anti-memoir. I don't think he really wanted to write it. But still, if memory serves me well, a very enjoyable read.

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mo mo's avatar

Very uncomfortable!

PLEASE look into Drs Berg, Barry and Mandell on Youtoob for alt tx for GERD. Really helped me.

If one has too LITLE stomach acid the lower esophogeal valve wont shut which allows leakage upward.

PPIs will eventually damage your kidneys and dont allow full digestion of your food. This results in nutritional deficiencies. Other antacids may give some immediate relief but just compound the issues.

Please dont lay down for 2-3 hours after eating to keep pressure off of

lower esophogeal valve and don't dilute what acids you do have by drinking too much water/liquids with/after meals. Hydrate before/ between meals and by all means avoid colas and alcohol until you get this figured out.

Happy Trails

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Olivia Locher's avatar

Sending you the best! I hope your tests go well and can help inspire a good treatment plan.

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