My dad has been sick, nearly constantly, for 5 years. Gerd, IBS, and an esophagus issue. He has multiple bedridden days in large part to his refusal to give up certain foods. He's tried twice now to give up sugar, and each time I've helped him through the month-long hell of withdrawal only to see him revert back in a matter of days. Welp. We're here again. Just about 3 weeks into withdrawal. Debilitating stomach cramps, mood swings, you name it. He's got it. I am trying to cheer him on, but my brother is a sh*t so I'm his only emotional support. I know that if he sticks with it, he will eventually improve, but he keeps looking to me for answers - specific timelines - and they just don't exist. I am so tired of putting on a brave face, and I am scared that this will all be for nothing. Again. I am doing my best to take care of myself, but sometimes I feel so isolated. No one in my circle can understand this particular kind of h*ll. My husband is travelling for work right now, which makes it worse. I don't really need advice, per se, I just wanted to vent in a space where people would understand. So thank you.
Hopefully the issues will straighten out for your Dad. Take care and have a great day!
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Do the 10 days with your dad and you’ll both be feeling great.
I also have GERD and it can be tough to find out what products are the bad guys. For me its tomatoes big time. Also any soft drinks, and chocolate. I found if I had a Tums Smoothie tablet before eating a meal and before bedtime it has really helped, but that's me. Otherwise my esophagus would feel like it is on fire.
Ah yes, dairy. It can really mess up one's stomach. I switched over to Lactaid Milk and Lactaid Ice Cream and it was a big difference. For years I never knew why I had such stomach cramps after certain meals. I had to crawl into bed.
Lactaid also makes a tablet one can take before having dairy that also helps. Anyway, it did for me. My Dad had this issue up until he was in his early 90's, and my Mom didn't want to change her grocery list... she was from the old school of "a little bit won't hurt". What a relief for Dad when I got him on Lactaid. No more trots, as he call that issue.
Check with Dad's doctor first if you want to try the Tums Smoothie tablet route, or want to try the Lactaid products.
Riverdale: I get it. I was taking care of my grandmother, too, but she died in October. It's a special kind of exhaustion. Sometimes, the only thing that keeps me sane - the thing I've been trying to say over and over all damned day - is that this is the option that I choose because it's the one I can live with the most. I could tell him he's on his own. I could pawn him off on my brother. But this is the thing that lets me sleep most at night. Even if it's not always a lot most nights. :(