The 14-Day Challenge

So I had to have an ultrasound...

Not the cool kind, where you're looking for a baby.

The preventative type where you're looking for gallstones or sludge.

Nice right?!

I was diagnosed with gastroesophogeal reflux disease-beautifully named GERD-back in '03.

My precious GERD, sounds like the sound my stomach makes when i'm writing in angst.

Basically acid build up in my tummy, it's grand.

All the foods on the list of what not to eat are the ONLY things I eat.

I'm sitting in the doctor's office waiting room, staring at all the posters for DIABETES, HIGH CHOLESTEROL, SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK, PROSTATE ISSUES...luckily i'm not in line for that last one, but just reading the posters gives me a panic attack.

Here I thought I might just need another upper GI or endoscopy or such...but the dr. refers me for an ultrasound of my gall bladder.

Hmmph. Didn't make that connection.

Probably why i'm not a doctor.

But, as it turns out a few Twitter friends discussed the same pain I've experienced but it was gall stones and/or sludge.

Better safe than sorry.

So it turns out I don't have a gall stone issue. Phew.

I see the doctor again in a few weeks.

But, like any eighty- thirty-something-year-old I've decided to try a little something on my own.

The Activa Challenge.

I'm going to eat something that has the words bifidus regularis on the label.

That's either something really good for my digestive system...

Or a strange Harry Potter-like spell and my stomach will tie itself in a knot.

Worth a try right?

I mean, my doctor did say something to the effect of needing healthy bacteria in my stomach.

Yogurt, even though it's consistency is like eating shampoo, is actually kinda good for you.

At this point, i'll try anything.

With Activa, in 14 days, my "slow intestinal transit" is supposed to be helped or my money back!

Up to $12.

Maybe there's a 14-day Vodka Cranberry challenge I can do.

At least I won't remember the discomfort.

I'll try that next if I get my $12 back.

32 supporters in group:

  1. Leanna said...

    Awww...poor Jen!

    Hey, I need that list of what NOT to eat...maybe I can get those away from Roo.

    On the plus side he loves yogurt!

    I had yogurt this morning but I add stuff to mine. I take the vanilla and add frozen chopped blueberries & banana & granola. Is it still healthy after all that? LOL

  2. Shannon said...

    "bifidus regularis" does sound like a Harry Potter spell, LOL!

    Good luck with the yogurt... I can't eat the stuff. Live bacteria in it or not!

  3. Jamie said...

    Sucks out loud on the GERD. I think the yogurt may help. Princess had some gastro type "issues" and adding those drinkable yogurts to her diet have really made a difference.
    I'm with you on the vodka cranberry thing! Let me know when to start, I've just been informed that I MUST try Firefly Vodka.

  4. Evolving Mommy Catherine said...

    Now I have that song from the commercial stuck in my head. Ativiaaaa can you hear it? I will keep my fingers crossed that it helps!

  5. Jennifer said...

    LOL! If I may suggest one thing, don't get the Activia Light. IMHO, it's a bit gritty and too sweet - ah well, that's just my two cents. Either way, good luck with it! I hope it works!

  6. Lesley said...

    Hey there...my husband has bad GERD. Three trips to the ER, several "scope" things, so many things. He eats quite a bit of yogurt (not necessarily the new Activia ones, but anything organic with live cultures)...he also tries not to go overboard with red wine, chocolate and too much greasy food. Other than that, his GERD symptoms dropped significantly when he changed jobs and his stress level dropped. He almost forgot about it.

    But, we also keep a bottle of Aloe Vera in the fridge for the nights he drinks too much red wine. I've never tasted the stuff, but he swears by it.

    Hope your symptoms improve! My husband says it is just awful.

  7. I Am Boymom said...

    There's some great stuff called Florastor that works wonders on restoring healthy bacteria to your stomach and intestines.
    If it's gall bladder issues, drink lots of organic unfiltered apple juice and eat lots of green apples and radishes. it helps clean the gall bladder out. Good luck!

  8. City girl turned Country Girl said...

    Good luck with the yogurt, you'll have to let us know if it works!! I have IBS which sucks too LOL!! I have wondered about the Activa as well...

  9. He & Me + 3 said...

    Sounds not so fun, but good luck with the 14 day challenge. Let me know if it works or if you get your money back.

  10. Laura Marchant said...

    Good luck and I hope it workds. Gerd the terd does not sound fun!

  11. The Mother said...

    The yogurt thing might work.

    The vodka cranberry? Not so much.

  12. Mrs4444 said...

    You're so funny, Jen. Let me know how it goes, and don't be afraid to make smoothies with that yogurt; they are YUMMY!!

  13. Mrs. Schmitty said...

    Did the doctor ONLY do an ultrasound? If so, don't totally rule out the gall bladder. About 7 years ago I went through horrible pains...ultrasound was normal. It WAS my gallbladder which came out. I had a type of x-ray that uses injected dye to determine for sure. Just keep it in mind.

  14. Unknown said...

    What a cruddy thing to go through. I hope they get things figured out quickly so you can be more comfortable.

    But you totally had me laughing. Wouldn't it be nice if we could cure things with vodka and cranberry? LOL

  15. Former Fat Chick said...

    awww, sucky, I had my gall bladder out, it wasn't that bad.

  16. Ann(ie) said...

    Oh girlie. ug. I'll join you on the vodka cran challenge beginning immediately post birth!

  17. Unknown said...

    I had to have my gallbladder removed when I was 4 months pregnanat with my daughter...it's not fun, and the pain is horrible...the diet restrictions are even worse.

    Good luck on the challenge...For ME I find nothing works long term...I have to keep changing it up, two weeks with the cereal, two weeks with the pills, two weeks with the yogurt...start over...Ugh.

  18. Kaza said...

    Okay, the whole Harry Potter spell and eating shampoo thing nearly made me spit my coffee. Too hilarious dude. I've had recurring bouts of GERD too. No fun.

  19. Merrie said...

    I hope it helps! I've made yogurt a regular part of my diet since last week. Plain nonfat yogurt, a dallop of strawberry jam, blueberries, raspberries and granola for lunch. I've been feeling great and so healthy! I hope it's the same for you.

  20. Sandi said...

    Look at this way, you aren't going to be getting a yeast infection either. I used to have to eat a yogurt a day just keep the yeast away. Yogurt isn't bad, it's just the HAVE to do it part that sucks!

  21. Unknown said...

    the good news...you will survive! I have and I have it and I think I 'm abit older than you.

    look at all the good food you will eat now and you will still survive.

    Your blog is always so interesting. Enjoy it so much!

    Safe hugz,
    Dee
    A Mom's Journey

  22. Unknown said...

    As a matter of fact, there IS a 14 day Vodka Cranberry challenge..and I started last night! ;) I hope the Activa helps, I've heard all good things from those I know who have tried it. Had my gall bladder out when I was 22, couldn't eat salad or such "ruffage" for over a year after that! But it was worth it to never experience that pain anymore.

  23. Swirl Girl said...

    I had awful pain a few years back and thought I was having a heart attack . Turns out it was gallstones and had my gallbladder out. I always thought I had just really bad reflux for years.

    It's not so bad of a surgery. And just think, when you're all better you can go horseback riding while eating fettucini alfredo on a mountaintop in Italy. Oh wait, that's Maxi Pads.

  24. Tony@ That One Paticular Harbor said...

    GERD is no fun. Sorry my friend.
    Now is this 14 day vodka cranberry challange real? I am in...:-)

  25. Heather said...

    LOL Jen....the vodka cranberry challenge has me thinking...

    Did you see the SNL skit on Jaime Lee Curtis and activia? It is hilarious...hope it bodes better for you

  26. Eyeglasses & Endzones said...

    Holy make me laugh about your medical discomfort batman!

    The Activa challenge? Maybe you and Jamie Lee can get on the Tele together and talk about how your GERD made you try it...sorry, I know that this has got to be seriously uncomfortable! However, you just might get that $12.00 back and THEN, only THEN will we know if Activa works or not!

    Good Luck!

  27. Unknown said...

    I have IBS & think about eating yogurt everytime I see Jamie Lee. Let us know if it works, but I'd so rather have the vodka-cranberry.

  28. wife.mom.nurse said...

    I hope that tum starts feeling much better!

  29. John Deere Mom said...

    I would be glad to join a vodka challenge group. I think I could be mighty successful!

  30. Anonymous said...

    oo glad its not gall stones.. I had mine out after I had Sammy.. no fun! I do however love activia and it really did help me with my digestive issues post removal of the gall bladder!

  31. Jill said...

    Here's hoping that all goes well in your world!

    Hope you feel better sooner rather than later. :)

  32. Native American Momma said...

    I keep a bottle of bifidus regularis in my fridge. You can buy bottles of it usually near vitamins. I just take it when I need it. The first time I took it for a few weeks three times a day. It is just in a pill form. (I don't like yogurt)
    I swear by it so I hope it helps you out.

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