I’m glad to hear you’re taking vitamin B 12. I’m not a fan of those proton pump inhibitors and I’m sure you probably know all about them already, but they put my mom on those and once you get on them, it’s difficult to get off because you can have a rebound effect if you try to stop. After I read that you’re more likely to break a hip or have another kind of bone fracture while you’re on those, I tried to take my mom off them, but she had severe acid reflux when she stopped the drug and we had to put her back on, and guess what? First one hip broke - she didn’t fall and break it, it broke and then she fell. She had just gotten done with physical therapy for that hip, and was starting to walk again when her other hip cracked and she fell again and then was in a wheelchair. The rest of her life was hell for the next three years because they had to drug her – it’s a long story. She was very unhappy. It was horrible. Plus she got different infections in her gastrointestinal tract because she didn’t have enough acid. Again, I’m sure you only take that because you have to because it sounds like you’re not a big fan of prescription medicine and I’m sure you have read the side effects. I’m sorry you have to take it though.
I went to see the specialist today, and I knew what they were going to say before they even said anything and sure enough, they want to do an endoscopy and a colonoscopy and they wanted me to schedule right away and I said no, let me think about it. They didn’t even ask me what I eat or my lifestyle or any other questions. It was astounding. But was I surprised? No. You’ve got their number, too. That’s all they know how to do anymore.
You’re lucky to be in New Zealand though. That sounds like a great system. The US is so screwed up - I’m sure you know that.
I take B12 and vitamin D3 also. And zinc and vitamin C. I need to start taking some lutein and zeaxanthin because I’m getting macular degeneration. The last eye doctor I saw was so rude that she wouldn’t even tell me if I had wet or dry when I asked her. She said, “come in for your cataract surgery first and then we’ll talk.” I didn’t even know I had cataracts until she said that. I don’t think I’ll go back there. Although my sister and my late husband, both had eye surgery there and they came out fine, so maybe it was just that one doctor.
I think I might try to find myself a good naturopath or functional medicine doctor, although I might do the CAT scan this woman recommended because it was a different kind - something about your arteries. I never know for sure what to do. I do know, though that if my food is sitting in my stomach for 12 hours having trouble getting digested, I’m going to start drinking apple cider vinegar with my meals rather than taking an antacid. Hey, have you ever tried that? I’ve heard of other people doing that, but I haven’t tried it yet. it makes sense though.
Remember, the good old days when we could take eating for granted? I’ve always had IBS, but for the most part I ate pretty well. I hope you did, too. Take care.