Band-Aids Don’t Fix Bullet Holes
I hadn’t planned on discussing my current health struggles yet, but recent developments have made it unavoidable. Despite initial improvements in 2021, my gut problems resurfaced with a vengeance. Along with my chronic stomach issues, I also battled constant exhaustion, joint pain and brain fog.
Last month, I was given a three-week doxycycline course that brought significant relief. However, the antibiotic's impact, adjacent to an atomic bomb explosion, caused a few setbacks (to put it lightly). Despite the slight progress I made, debilitating stomach pain led me straight into the arms of the emergency room.
For years, I've battled acid reflux, reluctantly relying on OTC PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) as it quickly increased from occasional usage to twice daily within the span of two months. By February, the relief would only last an hour or two. Even though I knew something was seriously off, I didn’t have the time, money, or energy to address it. Well, the universe had other plans when an excruciating upper stomach pain, similar to an elephant tap dancing on my chest, struck, lasting two hours per episode. I pushed through the first two but decided to go to the hospital at the onset of the third, in case I was close to the light. After receiving a chest X-ray, blood work, and an ultrasound of my gallbladder, the results came back normal.
While relieved it wasn't life-threatening, I was frustrated by the lack of clear answers once again. However, I was not surprised in the slightest. I was ultimately diagnosed with a peptic ulcer and prescribed more of the same over-the-counter medication I was taking, like a cog in the never-ending machine. The doctor said I would likely have GERD for life, with only PPIs for treatment—no mention of dietary changes or further testing.
Without my extensive research and past relief from naturopathic remedies, I would have spiraled into hopelessness. Fortunately, I've heard countless success stories of people curing their GERD naturally, and, subsequently, avoiding lifelong medication.
Chronic acid reflux should NEVER be normalized since it can lead to severe complications like esophageal and stomach cancer if left untreated. If your doctor dismisses continuous reflux symptoms, I implore you to get a second opinion—it could save your life.
It infuriates me to the core that so many doctors believe that PPIs are a long-term solution for acid reflux. They don’t treat the root cause. I most definitely will write an entire blog on acid reflux and heartburn because I have LITERALLY tried every natural and OTC medicine prescribed for it. However, I obviously haven’t found a cure for mine yet, so I don’t want to talk out of my ass and lead you astray.
This brings me to an opinion that might ruffle some feathers and alienate a few readers, but I’m at my breaking point so I really don’t care. I am obviously not part of the medical community — at least not yet ;) — but after dealing with countless doctors over the past decade, I've reached a sobering conclusion—we are fucked.
It goes without saying that I believe doctors are doing the best they can with the resources available to them. To enter the medical field, one must care deeply about the wellbeing and safety of others. However, whether due to a lack of resources, funding, or staffing, the healthcare system as a whole is failing us immensely.
The hospital ruled that my symptoms were not life-threatening. Great. That doesn’t mean that 5 or 10 years down the line there won’t be damage from the acid eroding my esophagus on a daily basis.
My story isn't unique; there are millions out there suffering with all types of issues and receiving similar care. While I appreciate our healthcare system for its handling of emergencies and straightforward illnesses, I've lost faith in it when it comes to addressing chronic health issues—and I know many others who feel the same.
Doctors tend to jump to medication as a quick fix rather than addressing the underlying cause of the problem. Whether it is acne, weight loss, sleep problems, constipation, or pain management, medication is often over-prescribed without exploring alternative solutions. And while I recognize that my experiences are not singular, I refuse to accept this as my reality at the age of 31.
As a result, I reached out to an integrative doctor whose services require out-of-pocket payment, meaning the costs will be directly charged to my credit card. Love it! However, desperate times call for desperate measures, and I am grateful that my other expenses are low enough to prevent accruing a significant amount of debt due to this choice.
Adequate healthcare should not be the privilege that it has become. As I think about the future of our healthcare system, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of dread. I wish I could end on a more hopeful note, but sometimes, the truth is painful.
