Notes from an Upset Stomach

Like the rest of my family, I’ve gone the way of the O. That is, I’ve gone organic. My mom, my sister, my brother, my step dad —they all have been eating organic for a number of years now and it has tremendously improved their overall health. Our family has not been eating pork for 5 years now. We’ve also changed our cooking oil and prefer natural treatments for some diseases. Because I have a LOT of conditions that are diet-related, it only seems natural to go that way, as well. 

I started my food journal last week after my 10-hour acid attack last Tuesday. I’ve been diagnosed with GERD or Gastroesophagael reflux disease since last October. Basically, it’s the damaging of my esophagus from the stomach acid. Depending on how grave it has become, it poses serious long-term effects that require long-term treatment. Naturally, it involves changing the diet. Besides GERD, I also have ulcer that hurts like hell. It would plague me from time to time and there just won’t be a relief for it strong enough for me to endure. Last week, after a friend visited me and took me out for lunch, I had the same “acid attacks”, which I call them. 10 hours of burning sensation, cramping, abdominal pains and I had to take an herbal medicine that would absorb the acid and make me vomit for the next four hours. It was horrible.

So I’ve taken some time to start my food journal in a red book so that I keep track of what I eat everyday, and so I can pinpoint exactly what’s causing the recurrence of my acid attacks. From last Tuesday, I’ve been on a strict regimen of vegetables and fruits and wheats. My breakfast is composed of organic muesli, flax seeds, almonds, berries and 7-grain vanilla that acts as milk, but isn’t dairy. Bananas are staple fruits at home, as well as apples. To treat my GERD, I take apple cider vinegar with water. I also drink organic chamomile as an aid for my gastrointestinal problems. At night, some honey. I eat a lot of white fish cooked only in virgin coconut oil, and herbs are our best friends at home. I’m high on broccoli and carrots and I don’t miss out on meals. So for the past 7 days, I have been “eating right” and following my diet.

Which is why it upsets me to have to undergo the same acid attacks again today. As I write, I am experiencing that same burning sensation and abdominal pain, and to tell you honestly, I don’t really know what else I can do. I don’t know what else to eat, I don’t know what else NOT to eat. As far as I know, I’m doing everything right. But my body seems to not be responding well to it. I’m upset and frustrated and weighed down by this.

Aside from GERD and ulcer, of course I have my top condition, which I am not inclined to share online. Being diagnosed with this has not only made things harder for my diet. On the one hand, I’m dealing with GERD and I’m avoiding certain food; on the other hand, I have to eat this certain food to treat this other condition. What gives? Some sort of balance is needed and I’m already mentally and physically exhausted. The hospital has become a second home to me, kind of like a hangout area where I wave at a friend a.k.a the doctor and she tells me, “hey, you’re here again!” Yes, but I’m not so glad to see you. No hard feelings, doc, but being here just doesn’t make me feel any better. Excuse the happy attitude.

I emailed my mom and told her what I’ve been feeling about these chronic acid attacks. If I don’t know what my condition is, then there’s no way to treat it right. I may end up eating even the healthy food that isn’t right for my condition. I’m tired. This is indeed a crisis for me. I strengthen my faith everyday, nourish my spiritual needs, and let God just take care of my physical needs from this point on.