My last weight loss journey: here we go again

Posted byChico’s MomPosted inMy last weight loss journey, UncategorizedTags:, , , , , , ,

Growing up, my dad suffered with horrible acid reflux. He called it the ‘strong neck’ or ‘sour neck’. The 2 were interchangeable.

Many years ago I went to the doctor and had a barium swallow performed. I was in my early 30’s? Scared and stupid. Had to drink this chalky white stuff, got strapped to a table and moved around like a pour art painting. 

A barium swallow is an X-ray imaging test using a chalky barium drink to coat and highlight the throat (pharynx) and esophagus, allowing doctors to diagnose issues like difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), reflux (GERD), ulcers, blockages, tumors, or muscle disorders in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract using fluoroscopy (moving X-rays). Patients drink barium, and radiologists watch it move, taking X-rays to see the structure and function of the upper GI tract. *Google Overview 

When it was over, the doctor tossed a pamphlet at me about GERDS and left. I guess my suffering wasn’t high class enough for him? Or I was intrupting his lunch break? In my 30 something head, I told myself if this wasn’t important enough for a doctor, then I was making too big a deal out of it. 

As I get farther into my 50’s, I’ve learned that your health is only important to you. And your family, if you are fortunate enough to have a family that gives a damn. 

If you read my blog often, I’ve been adding more protein to my diet. There is a history of diabetes in my family tree. High carbohydrate foods are not really the best foods to combat diabetes. 

Well guess who’s showed up for dinner?

This makes twice in 4 years that I have had a prolonged period of acid reflux. 

I get so discouraged sometimes. It seems like I get one thing going only to have something else show up. 

Here is an overviews for you to enjoy. 

Foods to Enjoy (Triggers to Avoid/Limit) 

  • Grains: Oatmeal, brown rice, whole-grain bread, quinoa. 
  • Proteins: Skinless chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, beans, lentils, egg whites. 
  • Vegetables: Green veggies, root veggies (carrots, sweet potatoes), celery, cucumber, lettuce. 
  • Fruits: Bananas, melons, apples, pears, berries (non-citrus). 
  • Dairy: Skim milk, low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheeses (in moderation). 
  • Fats (Healthy): Avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, fatty fish (in small amounts). 

Foods & Drinks to Avoid 

  • High-Fat Foods: Fried foods, fatty meats (sausage, bacon, high-fat beef). 
  • Acidic Foods: Tomatoes, citrus fruits, tomato-based sauces. 
  • Irritants: Chocolate, mint, onions, garlic, spicy foods. 
  • Beverages: Coffee (caffeinated & decaf), alcohol, carbonated drinks, chocolate milk, orange juice. 

Lifestyle Tips 

Eat smaller meals more frequently, Avoid eating right before bed, Stay upright for a few hours after meals, Chew gum after eating, and Maintain a healthy weight. 

Always consult your doctor for personalized advice, as triggers vary by individual. 

Published by Chico’s Mom

Thanks for visiting. My blog has lots of different styles: drawing, painting, photography, stories and poetry.

13 thoughts on “My last weight loss journey: here we go again”

  1. It’s a big old game, isn’t it? Professional pretend to have the answers and sometimes their answers are worse than the original problem or make another problem crop up.

    Take my misdiagnosed rheumatoid arthritis with its liver-damaging, immunosuppressing drugs (prescribed to a chronic alcoholic open about his consumption). And then refusing to run the diagnostic blood work when the drugs didn’t improve my chronic pain.

    “Let’s just stay the course.”

    “But I’m still in pain. Can’t we try something else or do some more tests.”

    “Stay the course…”

    Until my glucose goes out of whack. And then I test negative for RA with another doctor during the start of COVID. Drop the RA drugs, no change in pain. But now I’ve got a stressed alcoholic’s liver (sober, but the liver is still damaged by the meds and the booze). My tests have remained negative for 5 years so it’s not remission.

    So yeah… I hear you Jolene. Sorry to hear that this is causing you issues when you’re trying to solve others. You have my sympathy. 💙

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you 💕

      I’m sorry that happened to you. 😢🙏🏻

      I have someone I care about in the hospital right now. And it’s frighting to watch. Cause I’m not a doctor with zero medical training, you pray that the doctors have your persons best interests at heart. But we know that isn’t always the case. One doctor does on thing, another doctor does another thing. You go into the hospital because you can’t breath and months later your on dialysis.

      All these big hospitals with all their big awards and teams of doctors can’t treat the body as a whole. This doctor does this. That doctor does that. And while I have no issue with doctors having specialties, they can’t get it together to treat the body as a whole. And it’s the patient that suffers.

      I know full well there are good doctors. So this isn’t a doctor beat down. But when their are wrong, it’s deadly.

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      1. Agreed, there are good ones out there, but I’ve been coming up empty-handed the past twenty years or so.

        Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope things improve. I’m always amazed at how unholistic current practices are these days and how primary doctors seem to be more referral agents than practitioners. Fingers crossed 🤞

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  4. All the things I love. When I started writing Mansfield, Ohio and Michael Reader’s character (he has ulcers from alcohol abuse, so constant heartburn that he tries to treat with milk, same as my grandfather who eventually died on the operating table during surgery for stomach ulcers, according to my Mom anyway) I developed almost constant heartburn. Life imitating art? Getting older?

    I don’t know. It’s so fun to be a human vessel. It seems to have subsided, but I do wonder what’s next.🙂

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  5. Health struggles can be so discouraging, but your awareness and care for your body are strong steps forward. Keep leaning on God and trusting Him through these challenges. He sees every effort and is with you every step.

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