GERD, ulcer, pills, and diet

I always keep the head elevated as you told me before Noddy. Also, the doctor prescribed Zantac for acid problem.

I'm afraid that if he ate like before, the spine would get nuts again and

we all get to the zero point.

How the spine caused all this, this is the question

Navigator: If the doctor is correct,then Brother is blessed to not have GERD as such,but acid problems only from the paralysis. I've never heard of that, but anything is possible,I guess. Just for my own education,I'm going to ask some people here where I live,and see what I can find out about such things. Thanks for my education!

Thanks Linda, but it's ok, you don't have to trouble yourself. It's the

damage of the spine that causes this thing. It's hard to understand for me,

as you said everything possible. Also, thanks for my education

Hi,Navigator: I may inquire,anyway,just for my own
education and benefit. I've known people who were paraplegic and people who were quadraplegic,and
none of them ever mentioned any stomach acid problems.

Hi Linda, I'm also confused here. He was diagnosed with reflux before and

had these medications for a while. Now, he is on Zantac for acid problems,

and the urologist said that he doesn't have anything wrong with the

bladder. On the other hand the current physician says that he has nothing

wrong with stomach at all, yet he prescribed Zantac .

OK, the first physician said it reflux, and the only test she asked for was

blood test which showed nothing positive, but she was positive that it was

reflux, and when I asked for endoscopy or x-ray ( to be more certain )

she said there was need.

As I said the only thing I can do is to do a little adventure by giving him

the normal food and see what happens, I will take my chances on this.

Am I stupid?, or there is no way out

One thing, you might want to know that my father who is old now is

hemiplegia but he has never complained with anything wrong with

stomach. He is just fine thank God and only have little skin troubles (

maybe this because of bedsores ), other than that he is a happy man,

that what seems to me , Ofcourse he has something inside that refuses to

share sometimes.


Did I tell about my father?, anyway this is my happy family

Hi,Navigator: Wow ! You've really "got a lot on you" {as we say here in America} You've mentioned your dad,but never that he's hemiplegic. Does he have his own wheelchair? Keeping him up as much as possible is good for him,and cuts down on the chances of bedsores/pressure sores. His age makes his skin much drier than that of a younger person,and the constant pressure of his either sitting or lying down,
adds to his skin trouble. Can your dad turn himself in bed? if so,hopefully he turns about every 2 hours or so. Check with his doctor,{and brother's too} to see if their sleeping on a water bed matress might help them,if you can get them.
Where you live,is it possible for you to insist on having an endoscopy done for Brother,or is it controlled by the government? As much as possible, continue to advocate for your brother's health,and insist on an absolute diagnosis.
A few careful experiments with regular foods might give you some answers.
Have a heart-to-heart talk with your dad. Maybe he really is trouble-free,but if not,he may be too dignified and stoic to burden you with his problems.
Do you celebrate Christmas? if so,have a great,Merry Christmas ! Good Luck !

Navigator--

Dramatically changing a dog's diet from dry food to canned food--or canned food to dry food--will result in a lot of doggy diarrhea. If your brother's diet is changed slowly, you'll avoid a lot of mess.

Has anyone suggested that your brother's discontent with his restricted life could be creating some psychosomatic ailments? He has trouble "swallowing" what has happened to him. He wants to vomit up all his problems. He literally suffers from heart-burn,

All of his symptoms are painful whether the cause is physical or mental.

Noddy: To some degree you are certainly right. Only Navigator's brother knows for sure how well brother is dealing w/ quadriplegia.Everything you mention can certainly be the body's way of rebelling in that condition. However,the GERD still must be treated/prevented,and if I were Navigator,I would insist to the best of my ability,that gastroduodenoscopy be done,just to rule out or rule in,any type of ulcers that are newly forming,and not yet big enough to be obvious. My father's physician did that,and found 3 "baby" ulcers that were just forming . This in spite of the
fact that lab tests didn't show any blood in any samples taken (stools,etc.}

Hi everybody again, and Merry Christmas. I know that I'm late, but I've

been busy here with other things like work.

Thanks Linda, my father is a tough guy like me . He is now 84. The

truth is that I worry about brother more than father. Definately, I will see

about doing endoscopy but first I'll check if I can see a neurologist.

It's not about urine anymore I guess.

About the diet, I'll try to change it slowly. Hope it works.

Why I'm saying I will ?, because I'm busy right now. I'll be back to my

normal state after few days.

Ok then, later and sorry for being late again.

Did I say sorry for being late before ?

Well, I guess no. It could be though.

I always appreciate what you suggest and write Noddy.

Navigator: Hello,Merry Christmas,and Happy New Year ! Sounds like you've been super-busy.
It's always a good idea to check all possibilities when dealing with hard-to-solve medical situations. When Brother first became paralyzed,did he talk to any kind of counselor or psychologist,just as a precaution,to help him adapt to his new paralysis?
If not,and he's willing,it's something to think about.
Do you have any other family members who can help you care for your brother and parents?
Doing it yourself can wear you out.
Good Luck!

Navigator--

Thanks for the kind words.

Hi, I want to say this,

I was a good student at college, but I failed the last season and had to get

over it. Maybe it was because I didn't have a place to stay, not taking in

account my home that I just used to go to it at weekends if I was lucky.

One of my friends who know someone has the chance to go abroad for

study, it's a hard thing to happen here unless you have the money and

know somebody. I think all my friends are lucky; I was a better student

though. I feel happy for them, and I don't complain of course.

I have this feeling that I want to say this night.

I believe in God, and love everybody. Sometimes seeing others at your

age (friends) making one success after the other make you think about

yourself.

Anyway, I know my destiny and happy for it. Who knows, maybe I'll be

the next president of the U.S!, but I have to go there first.


I'm happy because I know people like you, also because I have the

chance to help others and willing to do it anytime and anywhere.

Navigator: I like your new avatar ! If I understand you correctly, you lack 1 semester{?} of finishing college? Even if it's one whole year,maybe someday you can finish your degree. Just consider it interrupted temporarily,not permanently. If you have time,can you take correspondence courses or
on-line courses towards finishing?
You sound like you've got the right attitude about your circumstances. That and a religious belief are proper foundations that will help you cope with anything.
While you're busy taking care of everyone else,
set aside time every day for youself. Take a nap. Read a good book. Go for a walk. Go to the nearest park or green area and sit under a tree and watch the world go by. Things like that will refresh you and make a nice change from your usual routine.
Bless your house,

Navigator--

You are welcome in the U.S. as a guest or as a resident, but you can't be president. Not even Aaarrnold the Barbarian can be president. Neither of you were born in the States.

You could be Secretary of State.

Why not look into correspondence courses? Perhaps your brother would benefit from some intellectual stimulation--and this might ease your very active conscience.

Thanks Linda, I like the way you put that on.

Hi Noddy, I don't want to be the president of U.S, I'm just kidding :wink:

I'll see about these courses later when I have time. I want to see a

neurologist, but I don't have time now. We'll just have to wait for few

days.

Navigator: Good luck with the neurologist !

Hi again, the day after tomorrow I'll be free ( not for ever ) for nearly a

week or more. The problem here is that I'm almost broke. Besides, I'm

not sure whether he wants to see a neurologist or not!

Maybe, I should skip to the diet part since I'll be all free for this time. I

mean in case something happened. He is sure and maybe me also that

seeing a doctor ( again ) will do him nothing.

Hi,Navigator: From what I've seen and learned in my father's case of GERD,careful eating will always be necessary,even if the stomach is healed,just to avoid a relapse,or worsening of the condition. His doctor can give the final,absolute word,but it's better to be too careful,than not careful enough.
If you can't convince your brother to see a neurologist just for a verbal consultation,maybe you could speak with the doctor,as the caretaker and brother of the patient. If your finances allow,
or if the doctor will let you make monthly payments for his consultation fee.
When your brother was first paralyzed,was he and was the rest of the family advised what kind of
physical issues he'd have to deal with ? If not,that might be a good way to get Brother to a neurologist for a consult.
Good Luck !