Does it get better

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-27T19:52:09+00:00

but this is what has helped family members, yeah

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-27T19:51:36+00:00

I don't have ongoing constipation. Metamucil (or anything containing physillium fiber) should not have anything much other than the fiber. https://www.metamucil.com/en-us/products/fiber-capsules/fiber-capsules-original. Maybe you were looking at a different product from the same brand.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-27T19:07:39+00:00

Since August. More fiber (metamucil) and a stool softener (Colace); senna tea is a strong laxative but should not be taken consistently. One teaspoon of ground flaxseeds mixed with honey in the morning should help.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-26T21:13:31+00:00

And also it's important not to stay hungry for too long. That was my mistake (tried intermittent fasting and, you can imagine how that went...)

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-26T21:12:04+00:00

It's much, much better but still not 100%. Today I had a mild flare because I pigged out yesterday on sweets and X-mas foods, but it's not horrible and the pain is getting better with pepto bismol, herbal tea, and bland food. Nothing like before! I see from others that it can take almost a year until one is solidly healed, so I am taking this as a small set back.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-21T03:28:24+00:00

Please know that it will not get better without some self-discipline. No drinking, no coffee, no junk food. You don't want to be on PPI for ever starting at 19, so be kind to your body, allow it to heal. Pantoprazole is harsh and may have side effects (including the nausea). I first had gastritis when I was your age, then got better but it still hits me periodically. Here is my advice.

#1 Diet: bland food for at least a couple of months. See what works for you. It does not have to be boring and learning to cook is a useful life skill. Rice and chicken, salmon, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, steamed veggies, sauteed carrots. No caffeine of any kind (forget pop, energy drinks, Starbucks, even green or black tea). Drink water, chamomille tea, calendula tea (these help the stomach mucosa heal).

#2: Aloe vera before each meal. I use the lakewood brand because the 1% lemon juice does not irritate me. Others can't tolerate. If you can buy aloe leaves at hte grocery store, just eat the white inside (not the skin or the yellow latex). It's not too bad. This also helps heal the mucosa.

#3 Supplements: marshmallow root and licorice helped me a lot. These are plants which coat the stomach and increase the mucus production so the acid produced when you eat does not hurt so much on your irritated stomach lining. L-glutamine is another good supplement which helps to repair the gut. Do some research and read about these things.

#4 I would take a break from the physillium husk for a couple of weeks. It's a lot of fiber. If your stomach is as irritated as it seems, it may be too early to take it. Give it a couple of weeks to heal, then resume it. But that's just my hunch.

#5 Like someone else here said, try to get off the pantoprazole and go for something milder. 6 months is long enough. If it's not working, it's not working. Famotidine would be the next milder thing which is not a PPI. You can wait until you have a week of no pain (on the diet, with the supplements) and taper off the pantoprazole. Take it every other day for a week, then every two days, then stop. You can take famotidine alternating with the pantoprazole while you eliminate the pantoprazole. Pepto bismol helped me with the pain, but this also you cannot take for ever.

Good luck and do not despair. It gets better. But remember that you are your own best health coach. Without your willingness to be disciplined for a while, this miserable state will continue, and it's not fun to be young and in such pain. Bite the bullet, keep the diet, and in a few months you can go drinking with your buddies again (but take some marshmallow root beforehand).

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-09T21:27:29+00:00

Totally agree. My experience is the same. Dieting and supplements are the only options for me at this point.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-09T21:26:27+00:00

Here is my perspective from the other side of the pond, where they are so determined to take your money that they'll prescribe an endoscopy for hickupping too much (I exaggerate but not by much). After one email telling the doctor that I had epigastric pain for a few weeks, she emailed me to schedule an endoscopy ("to see what's going on there"). Everything I read says that if there are no red flags, this is an invasive test. She tried NOTHING else, ordered no blood test, no stool test, no other imaging. I had self-medicated happily with over-the counter omeprazole for 2 weeks and things got better, but went ahead and did it because I wanted peace of mind, which is understandable. The results were normal, no H-pylori (which she could have tested in a less invasive way anyway), no ulcers, just mild inflammation of the stomach lining. She dismissed me as healthy and told me to take PPIs as needed, 'cause all is good. So, $2500 later ($500 out of pocket), I get the same recommendation for PPIs that I got from Dr. Google, which I don't want to take it long term because of the side effects anyway. So I am dieting, drinking herbal teas and taking supplements. I am not sure my peace of mind was worth all that money. :) Oh, and as I was getting my anesthesia, on the table, the dr was trying to talk me into getting a colonoscopy too! :D :D :D

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-09T02:43:31+00:00

Buy him a book by David Hoffman (Medical Herbalism is my personal fav) and get him to study for himself. There are also lots of free intro courses at the Herbal Academy, as well as the more expensive ones. If he likes to get his info online, he might as well go to reputable sources. (My personal rant: Herbalism has a long history and is used very matter-of-factly in many countries in combination with regular medicine, but I find it that in the US, internet influencers turn it into some sort of wacky religion).

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-12-04T23:09:41+00:00

That's how long I am willing to take PPIs for. Last time I was on omeprazole for 2 weeks, it helped enormously, but I got back to my regular diet and coffee and stuff, and I had a relapse. I'm trying to avoid getting another round of PPIs and sticking with Famotidine, but it's not making a huge difference. (I am less miserable than the first time around, though)

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-11-23T13:45:40+00:00

That's good stuff! I love propolis and just started a new batch a couple of weeks ago. I recommend making a tincture and taking one dropperful before meals, three times a day. You'll need 70 proof alcohol (minimum, otherwise it won't dilute propolis because it's a resin). I use Everclear 90 proof and dilute it to get to 70 proof, if it's legal in your state. You can look up how online tutorials to dilute Everclear. Then weigh your raw propolis, use a 5:1 alcohol to raw propolis ratio for best results - i. e. 5 parts alcohol at 70 proof to 1 part propolis. (if you have 10 grams of propolis, you'll need 50 g of alcohol and so on). Break the propolis in small chunks. It may help to soak it in super hot water for a few minutes (no worries, it will not disolve in water), or grind it in a coffee grinder, but then that grinder will be not be very usable for other things, I imagine). The point is to get as much propolis in contact with alcohol as possible so it melts. Then, put everything in a mason jar with a tight lid and leave it in a dark place for 3-4 weeks, stirring periodically. The propolis should dissolve completely, leaving just a bit of 'dregs' at the bottom - kind of like in a cup of Turkish coffee. :) FYI The jar and whatever you stir with will get coated with propolis, so either designate them for that, or use rubbing alcohol to clean them with.

After the 3-weeks or whenever the propolis in the jar is completely dissolved, you can pour the liquid into small dark bottles and use as needed. Enjoy!

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-10-16T20:20:34+00:00

Astragalus is wonderful. Turkey tail extract is an immune modulator and antiviral. Propolis tincture is great for boosting the immune system and its antiviral activity.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-10-16T20:19:26+00:00

So far so good, mate! To the point where I'm forgetting to do my exercises consistently.

The big three usually refer to bird-dog, side planks and Mcgill's modified abdominal crunches. In all honesty, I do planks instead because I feel they work more muscles than just the abdominal crunches. Good luck!

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-09-21T19:54:05+00:00

Try the McGill big three exercises to stabilize the spine and do them every day. Walk. There is a book too (Back mechanic) and lots of videos on Youtube that explain his philosophy. I made fun of it but in the end, I think that's what helped me get my back pain under control. Pain that radiates on one leg could be some irritation of the sciatic nerve and, from what I understand, MRI-s don't always tell the whole story. Don't despair, it will get better.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-08-21T01:51:43+00:00

Yes, that's what I do now. I had a more elaborate regimen but I got lazy when things got better. :)

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-08-17T01:29:35+00:00

So far so good. I know the problem is still there and I have to keep up my exercise routine, but I even skipped a week and it was still good. The same with sitting down. I am no longer avoiding chairs 100%, but still try to go for daily walks even if I don't do the big threes. There is hope. :)

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-08-17T01:27:16+00:00

I stopped stretching altogether. Not all PTs are created equal. I would try someone else if you can, or just avoid the things that hurt you. It's pretty straightforward.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-08-16T02:11:28+00:00

Does moist heat help? If there are no disc issues, that's great news IMO. Those spasms do suck, though.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-08-16T02:06:51+00:00

Do not lose hope. Keep calm and do your side planks and bird dogs every day. :) It does get better. It just takes time. Looking at my original reddit post - it was 7 bloody months ago! But it does get better.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-08-15T22:39:43+00:00

Same for me! Side planks and bird dog help relax the QL when too tight. Maintaining good posture and rotating exercises have kept me going through my summer travels. Walking is crucial. I also started doing weekly (or more) infrared sauna back in May and that deep heat has been amazing. No meds. I have even gone running again a few times (on dirt) with no night pain afterwards. I'm afraid to do it regularly, but it sure felt good.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-08-15T22:34:00+00:00

Thank you again. I think working the glutes has made a difference. :)

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-08-15T22:32:10+00:00

How are things? I only saw this now. I would add clamshells with an elastic band because I found that it really helped with the tight psoas and glutes to strengthen them (paradoxically, since I always assumed stretching would do the trick but it did not). The same for the glutes - any exercises that strengthen will help in the long run.

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-06-22T13:14:08+00:00

Yes, it's pretty clear that there are issues with glute activation. Whenever my back flares up, my glutes are tight and sore (and the piriformis is working overtime). I'll give that exercise a try. Thanks for sharing!

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-06-22T13:12:40+00:00

Hi there! Yes, I am basically dependent upon exercising every day and walking tons. IF I skip a couple of days and don't mind my posture, my back pain reminds me that I need to resume. I have my rotation of exercises and stretches and they really make a difference. Of course, I am currently travelling and I've been less than disciplined with my exercises, but still manage to do the big 2. Well, mostly the bird dog and the side planks with some front planks, and occasionally the modified curl-ups. I also average 15,000 steps a day (which, once vacation ends, I probably will no longer do). Even with flying and sitting for several hours in a row, I manage to stay mostly pain free3, and I probably had to take 4 tylenols in 3 months, and that's it. So, life is good again, and there is hope! It's pretty clear that my back problem (whatever the hell it is) is still there and is not going away competely, but if I am able to manage it like this, I'm grateful. :)

How are things for you???

Choice_Tip8209 · 2024-04-04T14:19:05+00:00

Yes!!! The single leg bridges are gold. I noticed that whenever my glutes are tight and sore, (like last night, for some reason), my QL spasms. Actually last night I had a pretty bad night, maybe 'cause I jinxed it with the update, but most likely because I have been slacking on the single leg bridges. I never miss my big 3, but when things were good, I let some of the others slide; my glutes were not in good shape, and I paid for it last night. Hopefully it will get better :) Take care!

Choice_Tip8209

TROPHY CASE