I’m sure we can agree that feeling sickly sucks. There really isn’t any other description for it. So earlier this week when I was curled up on the couch, I was unhappy. Although I was able to catch up on lots of tv, so silver lining?
During all of this couch sitting and tv watching, I realized I haven’t felt all that great since June. It wasn’t a daily thing back then. In fact, it was during my juicing season that I started getting stomach aches. The best description I can think of was “sour stomach”. I didn’t vomit but I felt like I wanted to – a lot. I took a generic Zantac and typically this made me feel better. I figured it was all of the fruits and veggies.
Gradually, I started taking these stomach pills more and more. In fact, I realized I’ve been taking them daily for about a month now. I attributed most of this to the nutty month that August is – eating out a lot, not enough exercise, too much coffee (I know, IS there such a thing?) and my cup runneth over with angst, doesn’t a healthy body make. But this has sort of calmed down now and I’m only feeling worse.
After talking with my dad, he is concerned I have something more than a sour stomach or as I’ve dubbed it, “nervous tummy” syndrome. I’ve always chalked up my stomach ache to my anxiety since this was/is usually the case. Heck, it’s been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. But my nervous tummy is now a burning, dull pain. I will eat something and suddenly I am eat-all-the-thanksgiving-dinner FULL. Then I feel like I need to vomit. The fullness lasts forever which is coupled with bloating and serious stomach pains. Zantac and GasX are my new besties. This week has been the absolute worst and I’m beginning to wonder if what I thought was stomach bug earlier in the week was simply part of this unfortunate mess happening inside me.
Naturally, I’ve diagnosed myself… well, with the help of my dad. I don’t think he intended to “diagnose” me per say, I think he was trying to encourage me to go to the doctor but I took a few liberties. What has Dr. Amy come up with? Either a) an ulcer or b) an alien that is eating my stomach lining. Seriously, I feel like both are solid contenders. Now, I’m not positive I have a full out ulcer, probably just some serious stomach irritation. I don’t have a gallbladder anymore so I know this isn’t it.
To be honest, I don’t want to go to the doctor. I feel silly. I mentioned it at my physical in June but it was more of a side comment and even said I figured it was due to the juicing. Now to go back and say, “hey, I’m an idiot, I’m really having issues” makes me feel like a hypochondriac. I know it’s caused by anxiety. I know I take a lot of meds as well as advil-like products so my stomach is probably seeking some revenge. And because I know all of this, I’m not making an appointment, just yet. I am going to make an appointment to get acupuncture – hopefully attacking more of the source than treating a symptom.
The point of this post… hmm… I think to whine. And to seek advice – if you’ve dealt with similar stomach issues, or an ulcer what have you done? Go ahead and lay it on me (please!)!
*Natalie Dee is the artist behind these cartoons – she is awesome.
Amy's Recipe for Disaster 