How to Spend a Not-So-Fun Sunday Afternoon
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (62096)
United States
January 17, 2022 5:46pm CST
One of the good things about staying home in the day is getting to drink my black tea flavors. Usually I get my caffeine fill at lunch and spend the evening drinking herbal or decaffeinated tea.
Why did I stay home today? Because of my not-so-fun Sunday afternoon. I spent the afternoon and evening in the emergency room.
Spoiler alert: I’m fine.
I just had to brag about not having a panic attack, didn’t I. 
I have three “minor” issues. One is anxiety or panic attacks (they do mean different things, “the experts” say, but we use them interchangeably). Then there’s acid reflux (GERD). And something called “functional dyspepsia.” Back when I was first diagnosed with it, as a teenager, it was called a “nervous stomach.”
Occasionally they “gang up” on me and hit me ALL. AT. ONCE. You know what that feels like? All the “classic” symptoms of a heart attack. (Now, the interesting thing is that, according to “them,” a woman’s heart attack symptoms are completely different from a man’s heart attack symptoms.)
I’m trying to fight these things. But the more I “fought” (mentally), the worse it got. In addition to the physical pain, I was dealing with the deaths of a couple of friends in the past week.
So I called 911. And off! to the VA I went.
Six hours later, amid a covid test (negative 
), chest x-ray (normal), and two blood tests (both normal), I was released. It’s back to the proton pump inhibitor-type antacids for a couple of weeks.
So that’s how I spent my not-so-fun Sunday. I have another journal entry for my psychologist to read regarding this. And more drivel for y’all to read, too. 
Yep, you and me and Leslie:
I have three “minor” issues. One is anxiety or panic attacks (they do mean different things, “the experts” say, but we use them interchangeably). Then there’s acid reflux (GERD). And something called “functional dyspepsia.” Back when I was first diagnosed with it, as a teenager, it was called a “nervous stomach.”
Occasionally they “gang up” on me and hit me ALL. AT. ONCE. You know what that feels like? All the “classic” symptoms of a heart attack. (Now, the interesting thing is that, according to “them,” a woman’s heart attack symptoms are completely different from a man’s heart attack symptoms.)
I’m trying to fight these things. But the more I “fought” (mentally), the worse it got. In addition to the physical pain, I was dealing with the deaths of a couple of friends in the past week.
So I called 911. And off! to the VA I went.
Six hours later, amid a covid test (negative ), chest x-ray (normal), and two blood tests (both normal), I was released. It’s back to the proton pump inhibitor-type antacids for a couple of weeks.
So that’s how I spent my not-so-fun Sunday. I have another journal entry for my psychologist to read regarding this. And more drivel for y’all to read, too.
Yep, you and me and Leslie:
Groovin', by The Young Rascals. Appeared on their 1967 album, " Groovin' ".
13 people like this
13 responses
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 22
Inhibitor type.antacids.
What do they actually do?
3 people like this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
They restrict the “pumping” of acid by the stomach.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
@JimBo452020 — supposedly. Truthfully, it does tend to work most of the time. I need to stay away from the Mexican restaurants.
2 people like this
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 22
@FourWalls
And that stops reflux?
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73365)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Jan 22
I'm sorry you had to go through all that, I am also a person that when my anxiety level hits what I call the red zone I have to figure out ways to get myself back to normal, I am glad you are doing much better and at home, Me, anxiety, and panic attacks are long time friend, Now I pray twice a day and it seems to have set me at a normal pace and I have not had any troubles for a long time but if my life does not go same old same old every day then anxiety rares its ugly head, I think winding up all alone has helped me to pull myself together but just in case I keep Valerian root drops at home, I do not have to take any medication and if I have trouble with my anxiety the Valerian drops do jut right by me, Wishing you only good days from now on,
3 people like this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
It’s a process of finding what works to control them. I’m just starting the process of seeing a psychologist, so I know there’s a long way to go. Thank you for the kind words. God has me, so I know there’s really nothing to worry about. The rational mind doesn’t always win these arguments, however…..
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73365)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
18 Jan 22
@FourWalls I can tell you what helps me greatly if I feel slightly off at any time meaning anxiety is on the up I give myself a good talking to in the mirror and then I am OK again it really helps me.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57596)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Jan 22
I am happy to hear you're doing okay. I know that's rough going to the er. Hope today and the next are better days.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
Thanks, dear. 
God is good, and I’ll get through this.
God is good, and I’ll get through this.1 person likes this
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 22
Sorry to hear you had to endure what you did.
That's quite a lot.to deal with, all happening at once
I think I may have.experienced what you describe
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
Oh, it’s life. I think I’ve lost my ability to multitask problems since I retired.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
@JimBo452020 — I’m doing Weight Watchers with @JoyDorsey to encourage her (buddy system helps weight loss a lot), but eating sensibly isn’t in the playlist. Just smaller portions of what I normally indulge in. 
1 person likes this
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 22
@FourWalls
If I ate more.sensibly all my issues would go away.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
I’m so used to them you’d think that by now I could tell myself “It’s the usual,” but the rational mind can’t always be heard when the irrational mind is screaming “It’s a heart attack! You’re dying!!!”
Give Hissy Butt a kiss for me.
Give Hissy Butt a kiss for me. 1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95105)
• Marion, Ohio
19 Jan 22
@FourWalls You had the problem of one thing feeding another thing. It cant be helped.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
18 Jan 22
Goodness, not a fun way to spend your Sunday. Are you feeling better tonight?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
19 Jan 22
@1creekgirl — I think Pepcid is an H2, but it works. I’ve gotten to where the PPIs hurt my stomach too much (which I didn’t remember until I took one last night and woke up feeling like I was about to repeat the scene in Alien ). As long as I know what it is I can change my diet (I had baked potato, soup, and waffles for meals today) and it’ll go away after a couple of days. I just have to stay away from the Mexican restaurant. I should warn them: they may go out of business without me eating there. 
). As long as I know what it is I can change my diet (I had baked potato, soup, and waffles for meals today) and it’ll go away after a couple of days. I just have to stay away from the Mexican restaurant. I should warn them: they may go out of business without me eating there. 1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
19 Jan 22
@FourWalls Is Pepcid AC a proton pump inhibitor-type med? I take Prilosec sometimes, but Pepcid really works well at times.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
Thank you for the love from halfway around the world. I’m doing fine now. I see the psychologist on Monday, and I’ve been making her a LONG list of things to discuss.
I’m doing fine now. I see the psychologist on Monday, and I’ve been making her a LONG list of things to discuss.1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156060)
• United States
18 Jan 22
Oh my goodness! So sorry that you had to go to the ER. My GERD, anxiety and other problems are controlled by medication. I'm so glad it wasn't a heart attack! Stay safe and healthy please!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
It is what it is. I’m seeing a psychologist to help. But I’ve only seen her once so it hasn’t helped yet.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156060)
• United States
19 Jan 22
@FourWalls Well, I hope she can help you.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34348)
•
27 Jan 22
I suffer from acid-reflux and have gone to emergency for tests too. Yes, the worried feeling that something is not right is definitely scary enough to make you seek medical help. Have you had that contrast x-ray where you drink this terrible liquid? Not fun! I am on a daily dose of Prevacid, try not to eat before bedtime, and use 3 pillows at times so the acid does not backflow, ugh, when I sleep.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
27 Jan 22
@dgobucks226 — The barium milkshake? That allegedly tastes like something?? (Banana “flavor” the last time I had one done.) Nope.
Have you tried putting something under your bed to raise the head a little? I have a block cut from a 2x4 under the legs at the head of the bed. One doctor suggested something more intense, like a cinder block. My GERD isn’t that bad. I’ve been avoiding Chuy’s (told my brother as a joke they sent the cops to my house for a welfare check ), eating slowly (that’s a major help…in boot camp we had that “you have 20 minutes, and 20 minutes only, in which to eat your meal” preached at us three times a day, seven days a week, for eight weeks, so it kinda stuck ). And, like you, I have a “shutoff” time for eating before bedtime.
One of the things I pampered myself with is an adjustable bed, so I can sit up in bed while relaxing at night before going to sleep. That definitely tends to help curb the reflux (and I can really feel the difference if I DON’T do that!).
God bless. It’s a painful condition that only another GERD sufferer can fully, ahem, “appreciate.” I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
Have you tried putting something under your bed to raise the head a little? I have a block cut from a 2x4 under the legs at the head of the bed. One doctor suggested something more intense, like a cinder block. My GERD isn’t that bad. I’ve been avoiding Chuy’s (told my brother as a joke they sent the cops to my house for a welfare check ), eating slowly (that’s a major help…in boot camp we had that “you have 20 minutes, and 20 minutes only, in which to eat your meal” preached at us three times a day, seven days a week, for eight weeks, so it kinda stuck ). And, like you, I have a “shutoff” time for eating before bedtime.
One of the things I pampered myself with is an adjustable bed, so I can sit up in bed while relaxing at night before going to sleep. That definitely tends to help curb the reflux (and I can really feel the difference if I DON’T do that!).
God bless. It’s a painful condition that only another GERD sufferer can fully, ahem, “appreciate.” I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. 1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34348)
•
30 Jan 22
@FourWalls Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. Raising the bed height is a great idea. I was thinking about buying one of those adjustable which raises up. Glad to know they are helpful. BTW: those barium milkshakes taste nothing like ones I enjoyed as a kid 
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
18 Jan 22
sorry about the ER visit (do you get frequent visitor points?) glad you are ok!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
I should, shouldn’t I.
I love the VA emergency room…last name and last four and I’m checked in, no forms to sign and no ID & insurance and sign over your firstborn stuff. 
I love the VA emergency room…last name and last four and I’m checked in, no forms to sign and no ID & insurance and sign over your firstborn stuff. 1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62096)
• United States
18 Jan 22
@DocAndersen — if I get six visits I hop a space-available flight to NAS Key West….and forget to come home.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
18 Jan 22
@FourWalls that is good - get a frequent visitor card!
1 person likes this
