Late last year, I was feeling under the weather.  Consistently.  And particularly at night.  I would wake up, drenched in sweat and incredibly nauseous.  I couldn’t sleep on either side or flat on my back and was only comfortable propped up at a 45 degree angle.  Every time I ate, I was assailed by endless indigestion.  This went on for months.  I went to see the doctor and he suspected GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) and prescribed me some proton pump inhibitors.  That didn’t really work.  So he prescribed me a stronger dose.  And, when I wasn’t feeling any better, I had an endoscopy that showed irritation but no other causes for concern – so I was prescribed an even stronger proton pump inhibitor.  Fed up, I went home and did the one thing everyone tells you not to do.  I did my own research.  And came across a video that pretty much outlined my condition – the indigestion, the acid-reflux, the constant antacid popping that provided little to any relief.  According to them, my problem wasn’t too much stomach acid.  It was actually too little – and suggested I rectify the situation by drinking two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar diluted in water ever morning.  So I did.  And felt instant relief.

I ended up incorporating sauerkraut into my diet, as per the videos suggestion, and switched up by dinner routine.  In the past, it was always steel cut Irish oatmeal, oat milk, protein powder peanut or almond butter, and fruits.  Now, it’s a couple of eggs, kefir, and fruit.  Not only do I feel better, but I love 5 lbs.  Now if I can only figure out what to do with the 50 varied proton pump inhibitors sitting in my medicine cabinet.

I bring this up because, out of the blue last month, I received a note from the endoscopy clinic informing me that I was due for a follow-up (tomorrow).  I feel much better and would prefer to skip it but, on Akemi’s insistence, I’ll go.  However, I am NOT a fan of going under.  I’m sure they do hundreds of these a year and it’s all very mundane which should somehow be reassuring, but I can’t help but think of the tone person I once worked with who went under and never came back out.

So, all this to say, if you don’t hear from me tomorrow -avenge me!