I had Gastric Emptying study done to try and decipher what the burping may be caused by. The diagnostic test itself was easy. I had to eat some egg whites that had special radioactive chemicals in them, along with some toast and water. Then, over the next three hours, I had CT scans taken of my abdomen. This was all to see if there are any issues with how my body absorbs and digests food.
I have yet to hear about the results, but at least the test was not difficult or uncomfortable. And if it shows no abnormalities, then I will have to grudgingly accept that uncontrollable burping is a new normal symptom of a flare-up.
The antithesis of that relatively comfortable test comes by second round of nerve ablation appointments. They are scheduled for this Friday and next Tuesday.
I last had these done September of 2020. Despite the excruciating pain from this test (which had me in tears, nauseated, and nearly fainting from the actual pain of those long needles) it was worth it for some reduced pain and improved mobility in my SI Joints and my spine. So I am both looking forward to AND absolutely dreading these next two appointments.
My third update is that I have finally started to go swimming a bit!
With an allergy to chlorine (which causes hives in small amounts and swelling and difficulty breathing in large amounts), this water-baby has been unable to swim regularly. But I was also finding that my swimming opportunities were coming maybe once a year or less. I have always been drawn to water - swimming, skiing, paddling, boating, fishing - and swimming is obviously a great activity for my joints and muscles, but I haven't been able to swim much. I think my body could handle more than a couple times a year - if I shower thoroughly directly afterwards and precede the swim with enough anti-histamine.
So - I have now gone swimming twice this month at a pool that uses salt water in with the chlorine. Usually pools that have a salt water component have less chlorine - which is good news for my allergies.
My joint pain melts away in the water and my muscles are very grateful for the exercise. After my first swim, I waited until I got home to shower, and dealt with hives and some swelling over the next few days. Today I went swimming the second time and ensured to fully shower - with body wash and scrubbing the chlorine off of me - directly after getting out of the pool. While I have never been all that comfortable getting fully naked in the pool changing rooms/showers, doing so to reduce my allergic reaction is a necessity. Health over modesty!
I am hoping to re-learn how to properly breathe when I am lane swimming (I don't think I had ever gotten the hang of it, to be honest), as well as keep increasing the time I can spend treading water with no breaks. I have no clue if my body will allow me to swim as regularly as a couple times a month, but it's all trial and error at this point. I am even looking forward to trying out an aquafit class or two! My joints will thank me, my muscles will thank me, and maybe I'll be able to get back some of the muscle tone that I've lost over the years.
And I get to be IN THE WATER!!!!!
I have dearly missed swimming and I am thrilled to have found an inexpensive community pool with great options.
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