What a day - Hercules hangers save my butt again

[andy474x]

Well, I've had better days. It's been raining hard here in west Michigan since lastnight, and I got a nice surprise this morning:

It may appear that the middle of the floor is dry, but let me assure you, that rug is floating on 2-3" of water. Sometime during the night, our sump pump stopped working. Fortunately, I only had one guitar down there, my Akesson, and it was on a Hercules wall hanger well off the floor.

This is the second time that guitar was saved by a Hercules mount - a couple years ago when I was on vacation, the boiler for the heat in my apartment went out and the pipes burst, and the whole main floor was trashed, with the exception of that guitar and a few other things. Another SE was saved that time as well.

Back to today, all my other equipment down there was on the shelves, dry (preparation for just such a scenario paid off). Usually, though, my pedalboard is on the rug in the middle of the floor. Thankfully I had taken it to worship band rehearsal lastnight, and left it upstairs when I got home. I play there every third week, and this was that week. I don't think this was a coincidence, if you know what I mean.

It was a long day - I had to run my wife to the airport 45 min away at 4am this morning. At which point I was oblivious to the situation in our basement. Got home and crashed in bed until about 9am (didn't have to work til 1 today), got ready for my day and went downstairs to play a bit and discovered this lovely situation. Thanks to our landlord rushing over to help, everything is clean and semi-dry now. Ended up being a sticky float (activating mechanism) on the pump. Could've been a lot worse!

Truth be told (whine alert), this is just one day, it's been a rough 6 months. I've also been suffering from a persistent case of what is apparently GERD/chronic acid reflux since September, and it's been only mildly responsive to medication, lifestyle and diet changes. This is no "just avoid Mexican food and chili dogs" kind of heartburn, it gnaws frequently without rhyme or reason. I unintentionally lost 30lbs in 6 weeks this fall, along with months of chest pain, difficulty breathing, and random lightheadedness, which was scary. It caused a lot of fatigue and depression, didn't leave me much fuel for playing music in my spare time. Hit me like a freight train with no warning one day, and has been a daily nuisance ever since. I had a fairly pointless consultation with my specialist Monday, who switched my medication to one that so far is not working even as well as what I was on before. A common ailment for many people, and there could be far worse things. But it sure would be nice to find a solution that helps me feel normal again.

Well, I really needed to get that off my chest. My wife is awesome (really), but she is fed up with hearing about me not feeling well.

Moral of the story, use a Hercules hanger. Keep those beauties dry!

 

[IKnowALittle]

I feel your pain man. I've suffered with AR for years.
People that have never had it, can't realize how miserable it is.
Drug that helped me a lot is called Pantoloc.

Here are a couple of links to alternate views. I'm still taking the Pantoloc, but thinking of trying these, I keep an open mind.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/04/28/acid-reflux-ulcer-treatment.aspx
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/gerd-symptoms-causes-natural-remedies/#axzz44XddIgSa

 

[vchizzle]

Sorry you had such a rough day Andy. Thankfully no gear was ruined! Don't take this the wrong way, but, Nice stool! Wish I'd have gotten one when they were available.

Btw, hope you find some relief for the acid reflux.

 

[Huggy Love]

But it sure would be nice to find a solution that helps me feel normal again.

I've known 4 people (including myself) that have resolved this problem without drugs, through change of diet, habits and home remedies. I'd check with a nutritionist before I'd start sucking down a bunch of meds, for some cases they're necessary but not for all. I didn't have to change my diet that much cause I'm a fisherman, I'm mediterrenean, and I studied japanese cooking for a short period, so I eat pretty healthy but yes Ihad to cut out some things. The others basically went to an asian type diet, veg/rice/fish/poultry/etc and it really made a world of difference for them. One of them drinks bicarbonate soda & water a couple times a week, home remedy stuff that works for him.

Anyway, I hope you find some relief before you have to start taking chemicals for it. Good luck.

 

[Alan Manning]

Thank goodness for the hanger's & as for The A,R, I Know A Little's sentiments are quite correct. I'm on lanzropole Probably the same thing. It can be god damn painful man.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Yeezh. Sympathies.

 

[CoreyT]

I am a firm believer in the Hercules Wall Mounts.
Sorry to hear about the AR, my lead her at work has had to have test for it.
Hope yours clears up.

 

[Bill SAS 513]

Wow...Hope everything gets cleared up medically!! My dad had Acid Reflux and it changed his diet for him. As far as the flood, I have always preached about putting guitars, amps, etc...up off the floor just in case...as you really never know. Water will get wherever its wants to go. Good save, and it looks like most of your stuff made it through unscathed. Hope all is drying out.

 

[bodia]

Wow dude, that sucks. Having dealt with both water and AR, I can empathize with you. Hang in there my man. Good thoughts headed your way.

 

[toothace]

I'm also a fan of the Hercules wall mounts, and have had issues with wet basements as well...glad you didn't have any gear damage!! As for the GERD, make sure you rule out a sleep breathing disorder (like sleep apnea), as GERD is a very common side effect.

 

[11top]

Just a tip for everyone: Call your insurance agent and purchase the maximum limit for "backup of sewer or drain." It still won't cover surface water (flood insurance is a federal program), but it will cover backup. Most of your better insurance companies will write a higher optional limit.

 

[andy474x]

I'm also a fan of the Hercules wall mounts, and have had issues with wet basements as well...glad you didn't have any gear damage!! As for the GERD, make sure you rule out a sleep breathing disorder (like sleep apnea), as GERD is a very common side effect.

Do you work with sleep appliances? I've been seriously considering it.

 

[Mixstar]

It seems you have the water problem under control but what a pain in the butt, I hope you can get back to sleeping at night

I suffer/suffered chronic heartburn and was prescribed a one a day solution Omeprazole (20mg) and since I've had no more problems, I can even drink cider again I only had these problems after having a high blood pressure issue and I changed my diet thinking it would help me.

 

[toothace]

Do you work with sleep appliances? I've been seriously considering it.

Yes I do...did training at UCLA. Drop me a message if you want more information!

 

[andy474x]

Thanks for all the encouragement fellas. It's a tough spot, but it really helps to have some friends!

 

[11top]

It seems you have the water problem under control but what a pain in the butt, I hope you can get back to sleeping at night

I suffer/suffered chronic heartburn and was prescribed a one a day solution Omeprazole (20mg) and since I've had no more problems, I can even drink cider again I only had these problems after having a high blood pressure issue and I changed my diet thinking it would help me.

Me, too. But did you see that they are now thinking it can lead to dementia and Alzheimer's? Just what I need. I'm already spacey enough.

 

[László]

Sorry to hear this re: the water and the AR!! I hope things are back to normal on both soon!

 

[Deleted member 2284]

Truth be told (whine alert), this is just one day, it's been a rough 6 months. I've also been suffering from a persistent case of what is apparently GERD/chronic acid reflux since September, and it's been only mildly responsive to medication, lifestyle and diet changes. This is no "just avoid Mexican food and chili dogs" kind of heartburn, it gnaws frequently without rhyme or reason. I unintentionally lost 30lbs in 6 weeks this fall, along with months of chest pain, difficulty breathing, and random lightheadedness, which was scary. It caused a lot of fatigue and depression, didn't leave me much fuel for playing music in my spare time. Hit me like a freight train with no warning one day, and has been a daily nuisance ever since. I had a fairly pointless consultation with my specialist Monday, who switched my medication to one that so far is not working even as well as what I was on before. A common ailment for many people, and there could be far worse things. But it sure would be nice to find a solution that helps me feel normal again.

Well, I really needed to get that off my chest. My wife is awesome (really), but she is fed up with hearing about me not feeling well.

Moral of the story, use a Hercules hanger. Keep those beauties dry!

You have consulted a general practitioner about this collection of symptoms, I assume?


One thought I have when reading this stuff: is there any chance you're hit with straight-up stress (most commonly work related, sometimes related to personal life, often a combination)?
I ask because all these symptoms could also be an effect of stress. I'm speaking from strong and recent experience here. Haven't had all the symptoms (no heartburn, as I recall, and no weight loss), but I believe they can arise from stress (different people's physiology react differently).

It's a no laughing matter, and NOT a sign of a weak psyche or other bull like that, like many people still believe, sadly. It's simply a result of a longer period of raised production of stress hormones (adrenaline, and cortisone). If you've slept badly , or struggled to fall asleep, woken up earlier, woken up in the middle of the night, those are other typical indicators. It took me a huge panic attack at work to realize what was up, myself. I hadn't connected the dots earlier, although I'd had symptoms for long before that. It's been half a year or more since that wake-up call, and I'm still dealing with it. The longer one goes around with that ****, the longer it takes to get back on the horse, and the greater the effect.

Something to consider, at least.

Please PM me in case you want to talk about this in a more "private" setting. That also goes for anybody else reading this. If I can help others in the same situation (who might not realize it yet), I want to do so.

 

[garrettb]

Dang, well at least a few things went right. How's your overall stress level? High stress can wreak all kinds of havoc.

Did the docs rule out hiatal hernia? A little over a decade ago, I got hit with terrible acid reflux problems. I had to eat the most bland diet imaginable and take meds to keep it at bay. After an endoscopy I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. After a year or so, symptoms subsided. I had another endoscopy and the hernia was gone. I've been fine since and just have to manage a few triggers. The body is a strange thing sometimes.

 

[andy474x]

You have consulted a general practitioner about this collection of symptoms, I assume?


One thought I have when reading this stuff: is there any chance you're hit with straight-up stress (most commonly work related, sometimes related to personal life, often a combination)?
I ask because all these symptoms could also be an effect of stress. I'm speaking from strong and recent experience here. Haven't had all the symptoms (no heartburn, as I recall, and no weight loss), but I believe they can arise from stress (different people's physiology react differently).

It's a no laughing matter, and NOT a sign of a weak psyche or other bull like that, like many people still believe, sadly. It's simply a result of a longer period of raised production of stress hormones (adrenaline, and cortisone). If you've slept badly , or struggled to fall asleep, woken up earlier, woken up in the middle of the night, those are other typical indicators. It took me a huge panic attack at work to realize what was up, myself. I hadn't connected the dots earlier, although I'd had symptoms for long before that. It's been half a year or more since that wake-up call, and I'm still dealing with it. The longer one goes around with that ****, the longer it takes to get back on the horse, and the greater the effect.

Something to consider, at least.

Please PM me in case you want to talk about this in a more "private" setting. That also goes for anybody else reading this. If I can help others in the same situation (who might not realize it yet), I want to do so.

Dang, well at least a few things went right. How's your overall stress level? High stress can wreak all kinds of havoc.

Did the docs rule out hiatal hernia? A little over a decade ago, I got hit with terrible acid reflux problems. I had to eat the most bland diet imaginable and take meds to keep it at bay. After an endoscopy I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. After a year or so, symptoms subsided. I had another endoscopy and the hernia was gone. I've been fine since and just have to manage a few triggers. The body is a strange thing sometimes.

Thanks for the concern fellas. Yeah, I've been to my GP, as well as an internist and a GI specialist, even a chiropractor. Had tons of tests - cardiac, lab work, gallbladder ultrasound, barium series, upper scope w/biopsies for celiac, etc. To my surprise, all came back negative for anything other than reflux, I thought for sure I would have a hiatal hernia but supposedly I don't. In terms of stress, yes and no. I didn't have a lot of stress when it started, I was actually on a very relaxed vacation, getting plenty of sleep and didn't have a schedule to keep. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks and has been there ever since. I have a suspicion that it may have been something I ate that triggered it, or maybe getting a kink in my back when sleeping on a couch, perhaps a pinched nerve. I don't get much workplace or family stress, but the constant fatigue and irritation of this condition certainly has become a factor. Trying to stay positive about it and focus on a solution rather than the problem, which does help some.

So far, I've been on OTC Prilosec/Nexium for several weeks, and that helped to keep my head above water. Just got switched to Protonix this week, in an effort by my GI specialist to find something better, and so far results are less favorable, but I'm trying to give it time before I dismiss it. Have also made a lot of changes to my diet, mealtimes, and obviously lost weight, but no matter what I eat or do, it's still there. If short term medication doesn't solve the problem, I'm probably going to look into LINX or TIF surgery. I'm only 29, and I don't think being on a permanent PPI regimen for my whole life is a great idea, especially considering how powerful those drugs are and what the potential side effects with long term use. The most frustrating thing is, there was no warning shot, it went from 0-60 in less than a week and has been there since. I always assumed acid reflux happened as people got older, then we stop dining on mexican food, hot wings and beer all the time, and with good behavior things would be well controlled. And I think that is the case for some, but as I'm learning, definitely not for others. I've discovered an astonishing number of people I know who have GI ailments of one type or another, and historically, GI problems are increasing at a fast rate. Just looking at how many forum brothers have had similar problems in this thread is surprising!

At least for now, I can get through the day decently. When I wasn't on meds, I could hardly stay awake past 8pm. I have more discomfort than full on pain, but the fatigue was a kicker.

Thanks again guys.