Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Did you know....

That one beer can double the acid in your stomach in less than an hour?

Me either.

Or that beer is the absolute WORST thing you can drink when you have acid reflux?

Yeah, me either.

Other things that can cause symptoms include cigarettes, chocolate, caffeine, carbonation, spicy foods, and citrus. Oh, and beef. You know, like the 120 pounds of it I just won?

I've had this burning in my chest for a month straight. Doc says if we don't get it under control in one month, I have to have an esophageal scope. And since I've never been a fan of having foreign objects forced down my throat, it's time to get serious.

I've already basically given up spicy foods, though I did have 1 bacon wrapped jalapeno this weekend. I've already given up citrus, and I switched from coffee to tea a while back. Diet Pepsi? Bye-bye!

Next step?

Beer and cigarettes. I know, right? What's the point in living a life without all the things I love?

The point is this-if I don't get this under control, there is a possibility I could get cancer. Now that's kind of out there, but still-alcohol and cigarettes also contribute to throat cancer. Why am I taking chances with my life? So I'm stopping it all.

My goal is this-first, never have a beer again. Not even this weekend. If I feel the need to drink, I will be drinking wine. I'll be a wino! But beer? I just can't.

Second-this weekend I'm buying the nicotine gum. I'm thinking I will only need two pieces a day, my morning cigarette and my after work cigarette. That's really all I smoke unless I'm drinking, and we've already solved that one haven't we?

Watch Lula have a complete meltdown in 3....2.....

Have I mentioned how much I love beer?

4 comments:

Deirdre Bunny said...

I've had a problem with acid reflux most of my life. And yeah, beer has never done me well - neither has pop, tomato sauce, onions, mustard, etc. But I still put myself through it. I shouldn't, of course, but being strict vegetarian, there's a limit to food I can eat that has... taste. At the very least, has taste without stuff like the above mentioned yumminess.

*sigh*

Also, I am a huge wine girl, and that can really do a number on my heartburn and reflux. I pretend smoking doesn't because, at this point in my life, I cannot fathom having that crutch. I do, however, admire you and your drive to pick up your health.

PS Come to Portland so we can go to Powell's used books.

Deirdre Bunny said...

*not* having that crutch, rather.

Lula said...

I'm really hoping wine doesn't affect me too much-I don't even know who I am without alcohol, and I'm not quite ready to find out.

Don't admire me yet-let's see how far I get!

And, I would love to. We have family in Oregon, so it's not out of the question!

By the way, I visited their website and the first book I saw was "B is for Beer" by Tom Robbins....it's a sign, a sign I tell ya!

Deirdre Bunny said...

Haha