Stressed, sick, and seeking a second opinion

Hermy

I spent most of last year under a lot of stress and as a result ended up with some health problems - suspected hernia and a possible stomach ulcer. So with the old year gone and hoping for a better 2008 I headed to the doc to get checked out. He tells me that I have a slight hernia and excess stomach acid but that neither condition is that serious, and that improving my lifestyle will put me right.
There's a lot I can do to improve things such as finally doing something about my excess drinking and also starting to exercise again. I'm also determined to keep stress to a minimum in 2008 but is that really enough to put me right.
He is a good doc and I'm no medic but I just have a doubt in my mind that it will all go away that easily and am wondering about getting a second opinion.
If any of you have any thoughts on the matter I'd be delighted to read your replies, particularly what lifestyle changes might best benefit me.
Thanks,
Hermy.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Reducing the amount of meat you eat will help with the stomach acid.

Drinking obviously, cutting out processed sugar will help too. Perhaps see a nutritionist if you think you're doc is competant

Ciaran500

I used to frequently get indigestion about this time last year. I straightened out my diet and started exercising frequently again and it has been better ever since. Drinking used to always cause it to flair up and after a night out my stomach would feel horrible.

Exercise is a big help in reducing stress aswell so that will be a big help on both fronts. You should go to the Nutrition & Diet forum and Fitness forum and read the stickies if you want advice on your diet.

seamus

Can't hurt to get a second opinion. I found that cutting out processed sugars (as mentioned above) helped immensely. I used to get vicious acid attacks a lot of the time, but as soon as I stopped eating biscuits, chocolate and sweets that all went away.

Also reduce the amount you eat per meal. This can also lead to excess acid production.

Hermy

Thanks for the prompt replies lads.
The doc said much the same - eat little and often, leave the junk food out, don't drink too much or too often, and don't do stress - so I intend doing all of that and getting fit again.

Toots

I found not eating too late in the evening helped too. I used to eat very late and when I went to bed I'd be crippled with heartburn. Now I don't eat past 7pm and feel so much better. Cut down on the drink and try eating several smaller meals as opposed to three large ones. If you eat til you're stuffed you'll get terrible indigestion and reflux (especially if you do it late at night, as lying down will make reflux worse).

moe_sizlak

the only thing about getting a 2nd opinion is that it will most likely differ somewhat from the one your regular doctor gave you

ive been recovering from a condition this past 3 months and ive met about 10 doctors between hospital and my time afterwards and not one of them had exactly the same opinion

the old saying doctors differ and patients die is all too true

moe_sizlak

the only thing about getting a 2nd opinion is that it will most likely differ somewhat from the one your regular doctor gave you

ive been recovering from a condition this past 3 months and ive met about 10 doctors between hospital and my time afterwards and not two of them had exactly the same opinion

the old saying doctors differ and patients die is all too true

Bottle_of_Smoke

What happens to your records when you change Doctors? do you have to go to your old GP & ask for them or will the new doctor send a request. Sorry for hi-jacking of thread!

Electric

I think you would have to make an FOI request to your old GP. Your new GP cannot request the info as the old GP can refuse on the grounds that the information is privileged

Piste

Follow your current GP's advie for a few months and see how you are then, as you say he's a good medic most likely you'll be fine, if it persists after say a month or two then it might be time for a second opinion.

dudara

Start eating well, and getting some exercise. You'd be surprised at how much better you'll feel when you do those two things. Make sure to consult your GP first, prior to making any lifestyle changes.

Esel

Hermy wrote: »

He is a good doc and I'm no medic but I just have a doubt in my mind that it will all go away that easily and am wondering about getting a second opinion.

If you think changing your lifestyle will be easy, then just do it and see how you get on! Plenty of time to be considering a second opinion. Make those changes, stick with them (especially cutting back your alcohol intake) and see how you feel after a few months. Don't expect a sudden improvement - it will probably happen gradually.

Good luck.

estar

a hernia is controllable through diet alone. i had the start of one about ten
years ago, and by changing diet it went away

it depends how advanced the hernia is though, if it has eaten through a few layers then obviously you willl eventually need surgery

if you do want to drink a few pints make sure you do so after eating a meal.
dont drink spirits on an empty stomach, and make sure you eat regularly
and good proper meals.

for the stress, if its people, then tell them their effect on you
and if they dont listen avoid them. if its a job, get a new one. if its college
go to your career guidance and ask for some counselling time.

its absolutely vital that you take this warning - its reversable now, wont
be in about two to three years.

oh and avoid very heavy weight lifting. that can aggravate a hernia.

seamus

Electric wrote: »

I think you would have to make an FOI request to your old GP. Your new GP cannot request the info as the old GP can refuse on the grounds that the information is privileged

FOI shouldn't apply because the information is about you, therefore you are entitled to see it under the data protection act.

I would imagine there's some form of protocol in place for requesting records between doctors. If someone is admitted to hospital and is unable to speak to the doctors, they have to be able to get his records somehow. I would imagine the nature of the information means that it's a special case under data protection legislation.

barbiegirl

I cut back on refined sugars, deep fried foods and in my case excess dairy too, I also took some allple cider vinegar tablets for a few months, my crippling, and I mean crippling, heatburn is gone. It only returns when I over indulge in the stuff I know I shouldn't. Give doc's advise a go and see where you go form there.

Electric

seamus wrote: »

FOI shouldn't apply because the information is about you, therefore you are entitled to see it under the data protection act.

I would imagine there's some form of protocol in place for requesting records between doctors. If someone is admitted to hospital and is unable to speak to the doctors, they have to be able to get his records somehow. I would imagine the nature of the information means that it's a special case under data protection legislation.

I had to request my medical records from the St. Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny and I was told by them that I would have to make an FOI request for them to be released to me.

TomdaBomb

Hermy...What are the exact symptoms you are experiencing? I think I am suffering from the same thing. Was given the same advice by the doctor but I'm worried he has skirted over the issue..............

Hermy

esel wrote: »

If you think changing your lifestyle will be easy, then just do it and see how you get on!

Hi Esel,
I don't expect it to be easy to change things around but I suppose in much the same way that I didn't realise how damaging to my health 2007 was going to be, similarly I was a bit sceptical when the doc said that improving my lifestyle would most likely be enough to put things right. Having read some of the replies to my OP I feel more content about what the doc prescribed.

Estar,
Your info has been particularly helpful as I had presumed that hernia equals surgery but obviously thats not always the case. As regards the stress, a lot of bad stuff went on last year but thankfully none of that has carried over into the new year - bar the health concerns - so I'm just hoping for a calm, uneventful 2008 and then all will be well.

Tomdabomb,
I'd sooner not compare notes on this one as we may be experiencing similar symptoms but suffering completely different ailments. If you're really concerned then, as was suggested to me , do get a second opinion.

Thanks again to one and all for the responses.
Hermy.

dudara

TomdaBomb wrote: »

Hermy...What are the exact symptoms you are experiencing? I think I am suffering from the same thing. Was given the same advice by the doctor but I'm worried he has skirted over the issue..............

We cannot offer medical advice here on boards or attempt to diagnose symptoms. You should seek a second opinion if unhappy with your original doctor.

moe_sizlak

if you do decide to see another doctor , be carefull not to in any way suggest that the previous doctor may not be correct
you do not have any letters after your name and doctors are an awful clique
always talk up to a doctor , never as an equal and obviously never down

evenkeel

Now you've had lots of opinions, here's mine. Re stress, there's only one tablet. It's called 'fucitall'. You only need to think about it and stress dissipates. Have a good belly-laugh. You are probably not a smoker so bang goes my sympathy. Oh! sorry, Fear, Fear, Fear is the bug-bear of change.