Diseases as birthday presents; or, The Revenge of Slartibartfast

[jducoeur]

There's something horribly emblematic about getting a prescription for Prilosec (or equivalent thereof) on one's 39th birthday. Acid reflux is a very 39 kind of illness. And right now, "acid" is pretty much the word that's commanding most of my attention.

This is apparently a holdover from last week's escape attempt on the part of my innards. I was working on a mild case of reflux to begin with, probably because of upping my caffeine intake due to the release at work. On top of that, as best the doctor can figure, Slartibartfast caused a "relaxation of the esophagal sphincter" -- and let me say, that phrase triggers a remarkably strong "eww" reflex in me -- turning the slight reflux into a major problem.

*Sigh*. She figures it'll be a few days on the scrip before I feel better, and a few weeks after that before I am better. Could definitely be worse, but it's definitely not an optimal way to spend the day...

Comments

[cellio]

Your doctor has a way with words, doesn't she? :-)

Sorry to hear you're under the weather, but at least it sounds like things will get better from here. I hope you manage to salvage some celebratory doings for the day.

[sjo.livejournal.com]

If it makes you feel any better, I've been taking Prilosec for over 10 years (and I'm not 39 just yet).

On the other hand, I damaged my esophagus by doing Stupid Teenage Dieting Tricks in my younger "I wanna be a model" years.

So yes, it could be worse, I promise.

Bleah.

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

It might not be a present, exactly -- maybe you've had silent reflux for years. Bummer, though. A friend sent me an entertaining article about the company's shenanigans to change one molecule in Prilosec so they could repatent it as Nexium and keep raking in the bucks. I still have it if you're interested.

And Happy Birthday! I expect you'll feel better soon.

[richenza.livejournal.com]

happy birthday. sorry your esophagus is relaxed. wish that relaxation extended to the rest of you. :)

[oakleaf-mirror.livejournal.com]

Hopefully, you'll feel better soon, and this is a short-term thing, and after a few weeks, you won't need the Prilosec anymore. Coffee can be very acidic, but if you can't bear to give it up, cold brewing it is said to reduce the acid greatly. You need a twelve hour lead time, though, which isn't always convenient. I was on PPIs for a while last year. It seems to be the first line of attack for digestive problems, at a certain age. Hopefully, there are redeeming aspects of the day to make your birthday a more positive experience.

[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

Didn't acid reflux used to be a side effect of taking too much LSD?

Happy birthday!