My Angry Esophagus

Do you ever have a part of your body that absolutely despises you? Breaks down when things are going well? It malfunctions just to be mean?? Well I do. My Angry Esophagus!!! Around three years ago I started having constant reflux or also referred to as GERD(Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). GERD is very common is overweight people, or people who are pregnant, and even people that have no common factors to develop this. I got it when I was pregnant. Some people only get some heartburn towards the end of there pregnancy but NOOOOO!!! I was the lucky one to suffer from it my whole pregnancy and it never went away. My Rolaids were candy to me. It had gotten to the point that I needed a very expensive prescription medicine to control it.

When I decided to have the lap band surgery I was very excited to hear that the heartburn would be no more. I could finally say goodbye to my angry esophagus. Did you know that my angry esophagus could cause a change in the inner lining of the esophagus that could lead to cancer? Did you also know that it causes dental problems, hoarseness and chronic cough, strictures, ulcers, and bronchospasms?? I was sure glad that he was going because I have enough issues!

Shortly after the surgery I was able to stop taking my daily medicine to control my angry esophagus but last week I was plagued again by horrible reflux and heartburn. If you know me well you know that I tend to overreact just a little bit ;). I was worried that my band had slipped or that my pouch was dilated, all things that could lead to removal of my band. Luckily my band was only to tight and once they took out some fluid I did feel better. I now have a new appreciation for my angry esophagus for letting me know of the problem but I still hope that it never...ever... comes back!