Yesterday morning I had a doctor’s appointment because I’ve had a sore throat on and off for about the last month. It’s the only real symptom I’ve had, but if you google “chronic sore throat” enough times it’s easy to become convinced that death is imminent and now would be a good time to stop doing the 30-Day Shred because what’s the point? Everyone knows there will be no swimsuits in heaven.
It didn’t help matters that I’m in the throes of a particularly foul case of PMS which has a tendency to heighten my already heightened sense of paranoia.
The ENT looked, appropriately enough, at my ears, nose and throat and declared that I have acid reflux. This is particularly disturbing because P has been telling me for years that I have acid reflux and I’ve repeatedly told him that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. It’s totally normal to cough for thirty minutes when I lay down to go to sleep at night, I’ve been doing it for years.
It just dawned on me that I’ve written about skin cancer, multiple doctor visits, and acid reflux all in one week. When did this turn into a letter from your Ma-Maw? Next thing you know I’ll be giving reports on how bad the food was at the last funeral I attended.
On a positive note, my rheumatism has hardly bothered me at all and my dentures finally quit rubbing the inside of my gums.
Anyway, I happened to sell medication for acid reflux back in my drug rep days so I knew exactly what he was about to tell me. Avoid spicy foods, red wine, tomato sauces, and coffee. Also, chocolate.
Sure, that’s going to happen.
When I’m dead.
And then just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, he asked, “Do you drink a lot of Diet Coke?”
“Well, usually just one a day.”
(That sometimes turns into two or six depending on the proximity of a Sonic)
“You should definitely cut that out. It’s about the worst thing for you.”
“Okay, I guess so.”
But what I wanted to say was “Why don’t you just cut off my arm instead? It would be less painful.”
How am I supposed to quit you, Diet Coke?
More importantly, how am I going to survive the summer without you?
Oh that is awful!! He might as well have said…”And no more happiness!!
Oh, I’m so sorry! Guess you’ll have to join BooMama in the Crystal Light challenge! Crystal Light is good, but it doesn’t quite take the place of Diet Coke in the summer….well anytime of year, for that matter!
I have it – - – never gave up any of those things – - – but I do take a prevacid once a day.
I’ll tell you what is the WORST thing for me – - – eating carbs late in the evening. You know, chips & salsa or sweets. I DO avoid those last thing at night.
No worries about being old until you start talking about . . . um . . . your performance in the ladies’ room. KWIM? At least that’s what my grandmother always said.
yeeesh. tear.
Oh, Melanie.. only you could make me actually laugh out loud at 6:30 in the morning. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy your site.. it is the first thing I read each and every day!!
Sorry about the reflux, MeMaw.. it’s a pain in the butt. I have noticed that dark soda aggravates mine, but my doctor has never mentioned it!! I just try to avoid the triggers at night, during the day it doesn’t seem to bother me as much.
At the risk of repeating myself – since I tell you this EVERY SINGLE TIME I COMMENT – thank you so much for your website. I look forward to it, and miss you on the weekends!
DON’T DO IT. Diet Coke is worth a little reflux!
Oh man… I’m a Coke girl, but I feel your pain. I’ve kicked it two different times. And then after the months of withdrawal, when I was finally free of my addiction, I would suddenly decide: “Coke is the only vice I have in life. Life on planet Earth is too short to go one more day without it!”
After reading this, I’m starting to think about Crystal Light myself.
Did he elaborate on WHY Diet Coke was the worst for you..? Just curious…( i don’t want to give mine up! )
You poor thing. I want to have a Diet Coke right now just reading about it!
When they find a way for Crystal Light to be caffeinated, carbonated, and burn when I swallow it, then…..and ONLY then…..will I start drinking it.
I bet Sour Patch Kids are out also. What is this world coming to?
I thought I had acid reflux and took Prilosec for it for about two years. There was no way I was giving up Diet Coke. Eventually, I had such pain in my back, I thought it was a heart attack. Quick trip to the ER – turned out it was my gallbladder. I had that useless little organ removed and have had no reflus since. You might have that checked out.
I suffer from acid reflux and can tell you that it ebbs and flows. When I was diagnosed, drinking pop (or whatever you call it) was like drinking battery acid. Look at it as a cleansing. You can eat things again, but do your body good and dump the trigger foods for a while. Later on, you can add them back in. I promise, you’ll live! Soon and very soon, my friend!
He wants you to give up Diet Coke and chocolate???! I think I’d be asking for a second opinion.
Isn’t there a shot or something that can cure you?!
This post was so funny. Made me laugh this morning. Thank you!
Good luck with that one. I’ve been thinking I should give up diet coke for over a year now – and I don’t think I’ve gone a day without one. Hope you feel better!
I have it too and I never drank much soda so that wasn’t an issue, but I had to give up mint! It was giving me horrible heartburn. Turns out that mint relaxes the muscles and makes the reflux worse. No more Jr. Mints at the movies!!! No more mint choc chip ice cream! No more mint brownies! Sad, sad Sarah.
I’m glad it wasn’t anything serious. As long as he didn’t say Diet Mountain Dew I would be OK. In the year I’ve been reading your blog you’ve had or mainly thought you had lots of things wrong with you. I love ya, girl, but you may be a tad on the, how do I say this, ummm, hyper…Nah I won’t say it? Either way, your blog is one of my faves.
I’d try the meds with the diet coke. No sense in giving up Diet Coke if the meds take care of it. I wish I could send you a 24 pack to be delivered to your door. Next thing he’ll tell you is to stop eating Mexican food and we both know Mexican food and Diet Coke are meant to be eaten together.
I, too, had to give up pop. I was a diet mountain dew girl… I survived, but dude… it’s not a happy place. I had to go cold turkey or it would’ve never happened, and was relieved I never liked cigarettes because OH MY WOW if giving up diet mt. dew was almost the death of me I can’t imagine how people give up nicotine!
Girrrrllll….
Did he stick that thing down your nose? That is the worst!!! Okay, here goes Memaw… I’ve got GERD and as Bailey Leaf said… it ebbs and flows.
It’s the caffeine combined with the carbonation (is that a word?) that kills you… and the tomato products….
For a girl that loves her COFFEEEE and her Fresca/Diet Coke… and her chips and salsa and anything Mexican. It bites.
But, Nexium helps a ton and when it ebbs, I cut back… when it flows, I behave.
Just kinda be careful cause it can cause damage in other areas….
Us sensitive tummy girls rock though…
Don’t worry about blogging about all your ills.. you still make it so stinkin funny that I can’t wait to read what’s next!
But that’s not to say that I am getting any joy out of you feeling awful. I. AM. NOT!
Love – D
Second opionion! Get a second opinion! Maybe this man gets a kick-back from Pepsi.
Bless your heart… that’s what my grandmother would say. I feel for ya girl.
Husband’s co-worker sent him an article on the perils of diet soda- cancer, reflux, etc. Even he is convinced which says something big. I’m not saying give up the Diet Coke, I’m just saying pick your vices. You can’t be perfect!
Ooh yeah, that’s bad. Looks like you’ll have to start drinking diluted apple juice. If you want to feel fancy shmancy you can dilute it with Perrier. BUT if you get the ice from Sonic, it might make it taste really good. Look on the bright side, you’ll end up drinking more water and laugh in Jillian’s face next time you do the shred, which is hopefully in the next two weeks or else that DVD ain’t coming out till next May.
My condolences on the whole Diet Coke thing. If I had to give it up I’m afraid they’d soon be treating me for headaches, the shakes…all manner of bad stuff.
Hang in there Ma Maw.
PS I’m my attempt to “reduce” my Diet Coke consumption, I switched to iced tea which I happily heard has even more caffeine. No headaches, no shakes. But it’s really not the same. Not the same fizzy refreshment but more caffeine than Crystal Light anyway!
Oh, gosh, isn’t there a pill you can pop? LOL
They might as well just start digging my grave (to continue the theme). I’ve tried to quit it so many times and I just can’t. I don’t do any of the bad drugs so I just don’t understand why I can’t keep my DC.
Can’t you just take some Prilosec or Previcid? Is the doctor nuts? Give up Diet Coke? The summer has just begun, how are you going to function? Can you ween yourself off of them. I know a bazillion questions but seriously does that doctor know what he is asking?
oh, you poor poor thing!! i’m so sorry! if they took away my diet coke, i would cry! then roll up into a ball and fall asleep…
try iced tea – that’s what i did during pregnancy when diet coke made me sick. (last pregnancy i couldn’t eat diet coke OR chocolate. that kids was trouble before he was even born…)
Sweet tea!
Seriously, it’s great that there are medications for this, but it might be worth seeing if easing up on the foods (or the timing of some of them) helps. It may be that your system needs a break and will recover. And as someone who takes way too many drugs for her chronic sinusitis, I recommend not taking medication indefinitely if you can try other things.
Oh no! I wish I had some words of comfort for you, but I recently gave up Diet Coke and it’s horrible. I’m cranky and make sure I tell my family how jilted I feel that I can’t have one.
So, with that encouragement ….. you can do it! Your desire for a DC will pass in a day and you’ll remember it no more
I can’t believe that about Diet Coke!! i just started drinking it a little over a year ago and now head up to HEB everytime there is a four 12 packs for $11 sale. But, I have had terrible reflex for months! So much that I took a pregnancy test. This is so heartbreaking but makes sense. I guess I will have to make ice tea. Boo!
And I thought making the switch from regular to diet was bad.
There is no way I could give up my coke….and they can’t make me
Ok–I have found that cutting out the coffee and diet coke doesn’t help as much as the tomato stuff and the wine.
Now, I guess it is a toss up…caffeine to stay awake at beginning of day or wine to relax at the end.
Take the meds…
I think you should get a second opinion – obviously he doesn’t actually know what’s good for you if he’s asking you to give up chocolate and diet coke!
p.s. you always make me laugh in the morning!
Well, I’m one who gave up Diet coke, and it’s really better for you (as hard as it is.) What I miss most about it is not the taste, it’s that “ahhhhhh…” feeling you get when you truly want one, gotta have one, and you take that first sip…you KNOW what I am talking about, don’t you???? well, nothing else gives me that ahhhh feeling, but I do feel better and don’t have the burning nor the bloating that I used to. Sorry, but it’s true. And just think of the money you’ll save!!!
Call me is you need a sponsor!(for DCA–Diet Coke-aholics anonymous)
Suzanne
I have taken Aciphex for years and I don’t have any problems unless I really eat badly right before I go to bed. Don’t eat for at least 2 hours before bed. That helps the most for me.
The Diet Coke thing, I could deal with (there are ways of getting around that, as people have suggested–Crystal Light). It’s the red wine thing that would really worry me!
I’m with Paige. Take the meds.
You can do this!
You don’t fool me for a minute…I know under all that humor and sarcasm is a strong woman who can, with God’s help, accomplish anything you put your mind to!
You go, girl.
Letter from your Ma-maw…hahaha. I’m sorry to hear about the reflux but you really do tell a good story
Umm is it all diet drinks – or just diet coke? I think this would ruin my whole day!!
I went through this this winter. After 4 months on Nexium, I can have a diet pepsi and eat almost anything I want again. While giving up caffenine was rotten that first month, the weight loss from lack of appetite was wonderful!!!
I was diagnosed with acid reflux last September after chest flutters and a horrible burning feeling.
I’m a HUGE Coke drinker and was told to give them up completely – even the non-caffeniated ones. Yeah right!!!!
Almost a year later, I take one nexium pill a day and I still drink the same amount per day. I only cut back when my chest starts to burn.
The only other thing that seems to upset mine is chocolate, so I have to eat it in moderaton.
Take the meds and see how it goes with the Diet Coke. You might be pleasantly surprised.
I used to be a Diet Coke addict, too. You can quit. Won’t be easy, but you can do it. Switch addictions – that’s how I quit smoking. I switched from cigs to Juicy Fruit gum. (took me a while to get off the gum, but I did!)
You can switch from Diet Coke to lemonade or iced tea of Crystal Light fruit tea. The cola drinks will make the reflux worse, though. Also, buy a bottle of Pepcid AC and keep it handy.
Ironically the ad on your blog while I read this was the Crystal Light ad about drinking more water. Good luck with cutting out all the things that make life great.
My husband had terrible sore throats from acid reflux. He took prescription medication for a while, but the thing that really helped him was elevating the top of our bed. We justs put some wood under the legs at the head. Having an inclined bed doesn’t look that great from a decorating perspective, but it totally got rid of his throat pain. Plus, I’ve heard that if you take those prescription medications for an extended period of time they can rob your bones of calcium. I don’t know if it’s true, that’s just what I heard.
Ouch! I can not imagine trying to cut all of that out. At least you found out what it was and your are not going to die
! Although without Diet Coke you may anyway… Have a blessed day.
He just said Diet Coke….he didn’t say Diet Dr. Pepper or Coke Zero, even. He was very specific in his beverage choices. Also, I have found if you drink a glass a milk prior to any of those things, it somewhat coats your stomach and allows you to still enjoy the “have-me-nots.”
I am a Classic Coke drinker and Hershey bar with almonds eater (on a daily basis.) I am not sure I could survive very long without either one……nothing else satisfies like those…..could also be why I am about 20 lbs heavier than I want to be…..
You make me laugh everyday! I went to the Dr. this week and had around about the same convo. I am going to try and limit the diet coke intake, even though I know it will be hard!
you know, i used to have acid reflux back when i drank regular coke. now that i’m a full fledged diet coke drinker, i don’t get it from anything but orange juice & donuts. i think i’d have to just suffer!
if given the choice between no diet coke or death… i think i would just have to die….
doctors don’t know anything, anyway…
As a former Diet Coke addict, I made the switch to ice tea (unsweet) with mint and lime. It takes a little adjusting, but it’s a great alternative!
So here’s what you do sister, go to sonic and get a large cup of ice then pour your favorite crystal lite in it. It will never replace DC but at least you get the ice!
I made the decision to give up diet coke 2 months ago after I got an e-mail on how dangerous aspertame is. Check out the side effects listed on this website. http://www.sweetpoison.com This will make you feel better about giving it up. I am now, for the first time in my life, a tea drinker. This could be in my head, but I think it really helped my PMS, too!! Worth a shot just for that if you PMS like I do!!!
OK, I know you don’t want to hear this, but after reading several comments about not giving up Diet Coke or going to Crystal Light I just have to add my 2 cents. Have you EVER read about the dangers of aspartame?? They are very real. I have living proof in my 4 yr old daughter who reacted so severely to it (from chewing gum!) that I suspected she was bipolar. I have since done much researching and I am convinced that aspartame is one of the leading reasons for many health conditions in our country. PLEASE – just switch to water. It is the best thing you could do for yourself!!
I went to an ENT about a year ago for a BUMP ON MY NECK. They told me I had acid reflux. I think that’s their standard “go to” answer when they don’t want to say “I don’t know what in the heck is wrong with you!”
On another note, you’re not a Me-Maw until you get the walking farts and begin telling anyone with an ear when the last time you had a BM and/or it’s consistency.
I’m just sayin’.
I am also a former Diet Coke addict. I quit when I became unbearably miserable with heartburn. I now drink unsweetened iced tea. It took a bit but now I crave it like I used to crave the big DC. I do make it with the decaffinated tea bags. A Rt 44 unsweetened iced tea with fresh lime with extra ice is now my order at Sonic.
My mom has acid reflux and Nutty Butters trigger it.
When I was pregnant with my first kid, the OB told me to only drink water and skim milk. Yeah, whatever.
I would be miserable if I gave up chocolate and pop.
I’m so sorry. It’s never fun to have to give up stuff you love. On my last baby I had gestational diabetes — no sugar or fat. Great.
My two favorite food groups. Maybe one little chocolate in the morning??? It could give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
I can’t imagine my life without Diet Coke and Sonic! My hubby and I give each other Sonic gift cards for Christmas! Hope you’re feeling better soon!
Just a moment….
….. that was a moment’s silence for the death of Diet Coke as we know it.
I feel your pain
Eh, what’s a little bit of sore throat, coughing attacks and the possibility of serious health problems down the road, all for the love of some diet Coke and chocolate? We’re all going to die sometime–at least make your life happy in the meantime, chaknow?
Oh, please. Zantac twice a day and you’ll be a new woman.
Okay, so if you start telling me how many BM’s you have a day, then I will really start to think that I have received a letter from my Grandma!
Seriously, just take the meds to make it better and screw cutting all that stuff out of your diet! That’s what they make medicine for right!
I think you need a second opinion… on the Diet Coke, that is. How could any educated doctor-type suggest that a woman stop drinking Diet Coke??? Doesn’t your doctor realize the barrage of new symptoms that will arise from that one action??? Puhleeease!
So sorry for your diagnosis, but thanks very much for the laughs.
love from Michigan ~
Laura
You don’t need Diet anything Ma-maw, you’re a twig. Switch to regular, sweet, calorie laden, fat CocaCola. It’s better for you, the dr said so, in a way… Amazing isn’t it?
So funny! I just recently wrote about my addiction to Diet Coke also.
http://thedomesticfringe.wordpress.com/2009/05/29/its-raining-diet-coke/
Diet Coke must contain female hormones. There’s gotta be a reason we crave it.
-FringeGirl
That’s harder to quit than crack! I don’t know that from experience but I think it would be!!!!! You can do it though, and you will probably loose a few lbs!
cut out the coke? Dang girl…you better find a new “vice” and soon~
Surely you have kept in touch with those drug rep friends. I say diet Coke, chocolate and some salsa with a chaser of whatever drug they are pushing these days. Life has to be worth living and these three things are pretty much non-negotiable. Although, I hear queso with it’s high calcium content is a good thing for those in your condition.
So sorry on the Diet Coke thing. I’m a regular Coke drinker (can’t stand the after taste of aspertame and think real anything is better their chemical replacements). I’ve been working on ditching the Coke for about a year. I still haven’t quit it entirely, but my main goal is to just have it on week-ends. Kind of like a reward for making it through another work week. I’m doing a lot more “water with lemon please” when I’m out for lunch.
Good luck.
Um, I’ sorry–Diet Coke, coffee, red wine AND chocolate? Not even a remote possibility. I’m feeling axious just thinking about it.
Two words: Second. Opinion.
For the sake of all things good and pure, I have to believe that there’s another way.
God love ya, Ma Maw!! (like Sabrina, I am writing what my grandmother would have said)
I really am sorry! My husband has reflux and finds that he is OK if he avoids eating certain things about two hours before bed. He does take the medicine, tho.
You still make me laugh out loud and I appreciate you SO much!
Blessings!
I had acid reflux so bad I thought I was having a heart attack, took prilosec for 6 months, realized that it could kill you too, so I gave up the all soda, and most caffeine- I have one cup of hot tea in the morning. Pretty much have given up chocolate too, except for the occasional chocolate chip cookie. It can be done and you’ll feel a whole lot better. Trust me this stuff only gets worse as you get older. Trust me there is stuff in that diet coke that we are not meant to put inside of us-I’m no vegan/hippie health wacko-but just read the label.
EEE, how awful!
My husband got an ulcer in his throat from drinking too many Cokes. He quit until the ulcer healed, and then started drinking them again.
I don’t know if that is supposed to make you feel better or not.
I guess you have never visited myaspartameexperiment.com. That should cure you of your diet coke cravings. Then buy the mini regular cokes, and drink one of those at dinner. It is just enough to keep you satisfied. If you want bubbles throughout the day then just drink Perrier. You will probably lose weight as well, because the diet coke actually makes you crave carbs. You can do it!
I’m astounded at the number of people here who are convinced they need to drink something that (through simple anecdotes) is shown to be tied to causing acid reflux and THROAT ULCERS! Sheesh people. It’s your body, you only get one. Take care of it.
Just because there is a pill that will “fix” the problems doesn’t mean you should take it. Prescription medicine only deals with symptoms and always comes with negative health side-effects. Don’t you think it would be smarter to treat the PROBLEM instead of the symptoms?
The “I want a magic bullet and don’t want to deal with any of my behaviors” is what is making America unquestionably the MOST unhealthy nation in the world. We are eating and drinking ourselves into an early grave. Scripture has many warnings about gluttony and mastering our bodies instead of them mastering us.
End of lecture. I’m not trying to be offensive, though I’m sure it will come across that way. It’s just that as a nurse I see this mentality ALL THE TIME and it drives me absolutely CRAZY!
Ha! I don’t drink diet coke (or sodas at all), coffee, or eat chocolate and I STILL have acid reflux. Therefore I say – go for the chocolate and the diet coke.
You’ll realize after a while of not drinking it, you’re worse off when you do “try” to drink it & won’t want it at all. *promise*
So, I just happened to be drinking a Diet Coke as I read your post and I realized that I would probably cry in the office if a doctor told me I could no longer have it. (mostly in the hopes that he would take pity on me and rethink his suggestion) What a sad day when the doctor says you can’t have something you love.
I hope you feel better soon!
My husband had acid reflux. He took the meds for 6 months (until he went back for a follow up visit and everything was OK). During that 6 months, he did (mostly) quit drinking caffeinated soda and cut back on other soda consumption. We elevated the head of the bed about 4 inches and he quit eating/drinking 3 hours before bedtime. After the six months, he continued that plan but did reintroduce caffeinated soda, but only drinks it early in the day. (He was never a coffee drinker so that wasn’t an issue.) He hasn’t had any recurrence. This is a man who drinks ALOT of soda…in our house we call him the “King of the free refills;” if he can do it, you can, too!
I totally hear you! That’s funny.
Acid reflux sounds so pansy.
Then I got it a few years after an unfortunate incident with ciproflaxin…. I thought I was dying (no exaggeration of course. ha). It was “just” acid reflux.. Hi-ho silver- it ain’t so funny.
Did the doctor say he would watch Caroline this summer while you detox? heh,heh.
On the positive side, I’m so impressed that you got yourself to the doctor. Why do we women wait forever to take care of ourselves? I just got scolded when I went about being gone for so long.
I can relate on the “thanks for the advice, Doc, but totally not going to follow it.”
I’m pregnant and told the Doc I was getting terrible heartburn at night. His answer, of course, was a list of foods to avoid. He might as well have been listing my staple diet: spicy food (I ate Mexican stew every day or anything made with Rotel); hot food (I warmed up the soup to almost boiling); cold food (what is a pregnancy without ice cream?); spearmint (how else do you mask morning sickness puke breath); and chocolate (I agree, when I’m dead).
Love your blog-read it and relate to it every day!
My husband coughed for about a year with the doctor trying every treatment and test under the sun until they just recently put him under and put a scope down his throat – turns out he has reflux too and will be on Nexium for the rest of his life with permanent damage to his windpipe.
Baby steps, girl! Baby steps! Just cut back on that stuff and see if it makes a difference. Cold turkey is just out of the question. I am a sensitive tummy gal, myself and have been diagnosed with “the GERD” after an unnecessary upper gi scope (NO THANK YOU)! It does ebb & flow. Go light at night. If all else fails, Me-Maw, just sleep sitting up at night. HA-HA! I am just laughing because that is how I spent my last pregnancy. Oh, and one over the counter med that works GREAT is the Gaviscon – do you have that in your parts? It is an ant-acid. LOVE IT!
My little baby has reflux (as did my other two,) and I’m sorry. It’s a horrible thing to have no matter how old you are
I was told by my pediatrician that I needed to limit my caffeine intake because of breastfeeding so it makes sense that you have to stay away from Diet Coke but I wonder if it’s the carbonation too?? I’m wondering if I should give up my drink of choice–Diet Dr. Pepper–for the baby’s sake. Hmmmm
did you know (i know you do since you were a rep and all) that Zantac and such are histamine blockers? I didn’t until this year when I had hives after a long drawn out illness — sinusitis, tonsilitis, and the like. lasted for 3 months. Then HIVES.
went to the dr. and he attacked it 3 ways, decadron (wonderful wonderful stuff), Zantac 150′s twice a day, benedryl.
listen to me…it works. No more allergies when i am taking regular allergy meds, and NO MORE ACID REFLUX.
Who knew…I am all for the Zantac now. Try it…maybe your allergies will be better too.
You crack me up everyday! I’m sorry to hear about your diet coke. Truly I’m in love with plain coke and of course Sonic happy hour. Well, I found out a few weeks ago that I was pregnant and I knew that the coke had to go. Sad, but the saddest thing is is that my body completely hates the taste of any and all sugars during pregnancy so I have no tastebuds at the moment. So in a way I’m with you in mourning your soda…
That is indeed, BAD news. I just poured a Diet Coke to sit down and read your post. Seriously. Now, for the last _something years I have just swallowed a generic Omeprezol (available in bulk at Sam’s–thought you would love that), waited about 30 min. and had some coffee. Sometimes, not every day now, I drink Diet Coke over ice, so it’s diluted somewhat. Eat whatever you want to, but not too late in the evening, and drink more water than anything else. And I must be twice as old as you are, so I know what I’m talking about, Big M!
I gotta tell you I heard taps in the background as I read this.
I am soooo sorry for your plight. I used to NEVER I MEAN NEVER drink a diet drink but I had to make a change.
I was so discussed with my weight and I don’t really believe in diets, I believe more in habit changing, so I decided to cut out sugar in my life. I started slow but I immediately began drinking diet soft drinks instead of “real” ones. It was hard but I did it.
I wrote that book to tell you this…..you can do it!
Wait did he say just Diet Coke or any diet drink… because I was going to suggest Diet Dew.
If you write about a colonoscopy tomorrow, I’m gonna have to send you First Alert.
Seriously, hope the meds help with the acid reflux. That can be miserable.
I have it myself. Eat whatever you want and drink Diet Coke. I do with the exception of really spicy. Can’t get that under control so gave them up. Just take your meds faithfully and don’t eat late at night and then immediately go to bed. When you lay down flat the “crap” you’ve recently eaten refluxes right back up and gives you problems.
I can’t drink Pepsi as it gives me heartburn but have no problem with Coke and Dr.Pepper. Go to the other side of the drink utopia and see if you’re a Pepper or a Pepsi or something.
I bet Dr. Google could come up with something that would not require you to give up the Diet Coke.
Survive summer with acid reflux…suvive fall and winter without diet coke. Makes more sense.
Try a strawberry limeade next time you’re at Sonic. So yummy.
Ma-Maw, you crack me up!
I’ve had acid reflux since I was 14, and here’s my magic formula (you know for what it’s worth. I’m no Hermione Granger.):
1. Eat yogurt! Seriously- the acidophilus really helps with reflux, ulcers, anything like that.
2. Drink more water. Focus more on this than on cutting out other things. I find that if my go-to is water, than an occasional afternoon Diet Coke won’t kill me.
3. Aciphex is my drug of choice. Because seriously- my acid reflux is set off by stress. There’s no way I can cut out all my coping foods and not be stressed sometimes.
Good luck!
Quit Diet Coke and chocolate? I’m with you, coughing and a sore throat seem like something a person could live with when your friendship with Sonic is at stake.
Aw Melanie! No Texan can give up all that… fa-get-a-bout-it. My friend Jana gave me some essential oils (peppermint) that is good for acid reflux–I had it terribly in every pregnancy.
Also? I read your comment on LPM and said, “Me, too!” Watched Marley and Me with PMS–bad combo. It.was.ugly.
I had to cut out Dr. Pepper when my blood pressure got out of control. Missed them terribly, but our roads had to diverge. Praying for healing for you & P.
Chocolate and tomato products I think are worse than DC, as many have said. I’d try elevating the bed first. I am not a fan of diet anything, and am one who also believes that they are bad news, but from a reflux stand point, I’d try the bed thing first, cuz I do love my regular Co-Cola, and I totally get how horrified you must be to think of havng to give up yours!
so sorry to hear about the acid reflux!
no wine? chocolate? mexican food? I mean, really – is the sore throat and coffee THAT bad???
and i’m right with you on the letter from Ma-Maw. don’t laugh, but i have GOUT. yes, at 31.
http://www.mamalaw.com/2009/06/what-not-to-wear.html
wanna go play bridge on saturday night?
I really wish I didn’t read this. I am morally opposed to anything bad anyone says about diet coke. Also, is there a way for me to block my husband from reading this as well? he loves being right, especially about how I should NOT DRINK DIET COKE EVER. . . . luckily, I have become quite adept at completely tuning out his words on this subject . . .
Ooooh…i am also a true diet coke addict. I gave it up for six months once, and I never got over the desire for one. I keep saying I want to cut back…but seems I am drinking more than ever. I don’t like coffee and have been known to drink DC in a large coffee mug in the morning. I know, pathetic.
I have had acid reflux for a while now, and it got really bad during my last pregnancy. I did find that if I drank coffee/diet coke in the morning (like, before 2pm) it didn’t really bother me. I also had to eat carbs before that time too (and not after). So… for me, it wasn’t a matter of completely ridding my diet of these life necessities; it was just timing them appropriately.
Hope this helps!
Big Brother is our favorite summer show. And it provides lots of couch time since it comes on three times a week. It starts sometime in July.
I’ve worked for a GI doctor for years and he gets so frustrated with patients who want to take a pill and not change their lifestyle. I’m like, “Oh yes, Dr, you are so right. These people are so ignorant.”
Then it happened to me.
And I wanted to die.
I not only have acid reflux, I also have post nasal drip and not only am I on 3 new meds, I have had to give up most things I love.
No more Diet Coke, Chocolate, Iced Tea OR Crystal Light. It’s all too acidic and misery inducing.
I feel for you Melanie. I am there. If it ebbs and flows, it’s been ebbing (is that the right one?) for so long, I may have to order my bland, pureed meals from your Ma-Maws nursing home. Which would be fine if I were also losing weight, which I have not. Seems ice cream provides more comfort than it should
.
Bless your heart for sharing your woes.
Good luck!
I weaned myself off, and quit for exactly one year…only to have one on the one yr anniversary (yes, I marked it on my calendar). And now I’m back to 3 a day. Nothing quenches my thirst like it. Tried other things, and if I found something I liked, it would be discontinued.
I found I wouldn’t drink enough fluids and would feel dehydrated. Good luck!!!
Hey Melanie,
I am a fellow Melanie and long time reader, although its my first time to comment. Just wanted to let you know your blog is about the only one that makes me literally laugh out loud. Thank you for that!
Mel
i feel your pain, i just got cut off of sugar this week. ugh!
Oh Big Mama, I feel your pain. I had to give up coffee, then tea, then caffienated diet soda, and now any carbonated beverage whatsoever. And that’s just on the drink side. Add to it, my lovely salty snacks, and Kung Pao Chicken. These are dark days.
Still, I say, Hang in there. You will find other reasons for livin’
What exactly does he think the Prevacid is for, if it is not to be washed down with the Diet Coke? Kinda like taking the Januvia with a side of chocolate donut. As a wise friend told me, the mantra is “if it tastes good, spit it out.”
Two words:
Barrett’s Esophagus.
And it’s pre-cancer.
I’m in my mid-30′s. I was diagnosed three months ago. Johns Hopkins confirmed diagnosis (on biopsy), but went to Cleveland Clinic last week for second opnion, and am now waiting to see what pathology says regarding whether or not the cells have changed further.
I’ve had four occasions only with symptoms of “VERP” — affectionatly known as Vomit Burp, that sour taste in your mouth.
They believe I have nocturnal (nighttime) GERD w/ barely any symptoms whatsoever. But, as it happens, the lining of your esophagus changes to match that of your stomach (where your stomach pumps are), and those changes, if allowed to continue, can go into Esophageal Adenocarcima (cancer related to Barrett’s only).
On 3/4, I gave up all soda, all tea, all caffeine, all chocolate, all mint, all red and/spicy sauces, and fast food. I drink H20 only, take Prevacid one hour before dinner, stay in the upright position for 3-4 hours prior to lying down/going to bed, and sleep with a wedge pillow versus many pillows. I also take plenty of Calcium Citrate supplements since they require no acid to be absorbed. Taking any other Calcium is just a waste since it requires acid and meds like Prevacid/Nexium/Pronix/Aciphex cuts down on production.
Melanie … I don’t know you, but I’m a healthy girl and this shock diagnosis has made me completely change my love.
I was a self-proclaimed Chocoholic. And I’m Italian. It’s not been easy. But on that day, everything changed.
And now, I couldn’t be happier with choices. Please be careful. Looking back at my med records, I had an exam (scope up nose and down throat) at an ENT four years for severe nighttime coughing and morning horseness. He diagnosed me with LPR (acid moving up as far as the throat and effecting vocal chords). I took the diagnosis lightly, and now 3 years later I have BE.
You can do it, girl. Just look at Caroline whenever you have doubts!
“Melanie … I don’t know you, but I’m a healthy girl and this shock diagnosis has made me completely change my love.”
That’s supposed to read “changed my love of certain foods.”
Big Mama….I SO feel your pain. I have been cutting back on my weakness…Dr. Pepper. It is so very tempting and painful to go without. knowing that I am doing something good for my body makes it a ‘little’ easier.
Alexis….
I was also diagnosed w/ LPR and have now been on Nexium for a year now. If you read this (and you wouldn’t mind) I would love for you to email me. I have several questions for you.
shelliz2000@yahoo.com