A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who’s beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

gastroesophageal reflux disease

passion for running category: running on Monday, October 15 2007

A few weeks ago, I was contemplating running a 5k and/or 10k before settling in for the winter and getting back into base training mode. That’s not going to happen because I’ve been dealing some medical stuff.

I have a prelimary diagnosis (I may have to get some tests done) for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Some people I’ve shared this with have said, “So, you get heartburn”? Well, yes and no. Heartburn is one of the symptoms but the heartburn is like nothing you can imagine. At it’s worst, I was having terribly painful burning in my entire throat that lasted up to 48 hours at time. This is NOTHING like the heartburn most people get.

Another GERD symptom (among several others) I’ve had for years is the “lump in the throat” sensation. I had this checked out over five years ago. My doctor told me it was stress related but I never really believed him. It seems I was right.

Anyway, the lump in the throat started getting worse about three weeks ago. The burning started two weeks ago and I had a week from hell that ended with me running to the doctor who promptly gave me a prescription for Pariet Rabeprazole Sodium. Long story short: the burning was gone within two days (after no signs of relief for a week prior to that) and the lump sensation has started to lessen.

So, while it is good news that it looks like I know what all this IS, I am a bit worried since GERD – if left untreated – can lead to Barrett’s Esophageus. I just hope the years I spent listening to my previous doctor’s diagnosis don’t turn out to be a poor decision on my part.

Jeanne said it best. The weirdest shit happens to me.




9 Comments

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Comment by Adeel

Monday October 15, 2007 @

Yeah man, no kidding.

I hope you’re okay.

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Comment by Thomas

Monday October 15, 2007 @

You suffer from diseases I have never even heard of. Get better soon!

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Comment by Jim

Monday October 15, 2007 @

Have you considered changing your lifestyle to live more healthfully? Or does this “problem” only have a medical “solution” in your mind?

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Comment by Mark

Monday October 15, 2007 @

Thanks Adeel and Thomas.

Jim, I am not sure exactly what you are suggesting. I am as fit a 40 year old as you are going to find, and am a healthy eater. That said, I was a coffee drinker and have stopped that entirely.

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Comment by Jim

Monday October 15, 2007 @

>I am as fit a 40 year old as you are going to find,
>and am a healthy eater.

Perhaps, when compared to the general population. But, not for a healthy human being. ;^)

There’s a whole world of health that most people know absolutely nothing about. But, to understand that, you first have to ask/know, “What is health?”

Your body can take care of itself. It was, after all, designed that way. All you have to do is get out of the way.

Unfortunately, most people have no idea what that means or how to do that.

It’s so exciting when you finally start to get it, and yet, so frustrating to see everyone around you struggling because they just don’t get it (or don’t seem to even want to get it).

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Comment by Mark

Monday October 15, 2007 @

Jim,

With all due respect, please get to your point.

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Comment by Jon (was) in Michigan

Monday October 15, 2007 @

Glad you’ve found out what is going on in there, Mark. Like I said in my email, my wife had similar issues. What she ended up taking was Omeprezole. But that was only for a year or so and then when she stopped, the problem wasn’t there any more.

Hope the Doc can clear it up for you.

(waiting in nervous anticipation of what Jim is talking about, fearing it involves a Jack Lelane juicer and ground up fish heads or something)

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Comment by Israel

Monday October 15, 2007 @

thats sounds like hell. you are strong to able to handle it. i hope you get well.

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Comment by runr53

Monday October 15, 2007 @

Remember this Mark, if you don’t like what your doctor says, fire him/her and get a new one fast! Run Good!

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