For the third time since I ever came to Brazil, I am having severe stomach pains. People ask all the usual questions: Is it heartburn? Acid reflux? Menstrual cramps? Did you throw up? Nope, none of that. I simply have cramping pains in my stomach.
I can't imagine it's anything serious. The pain is not consistent; it's periodic pains that start off more frequent and slowly dwindle down until I don't notice them anymore. I have never been in labor, but I would compare it to a woman having contractions in labor, only way less severe (i.e. I can function, and I don't scream). But it's like that - it feels like a contracting of my stomach, I can't help wincing at its worst point, and then it goes away. It stays away from anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour. And then I get another one. Each one lasts 5-10 seconds.
The first time it happened was after my first visit to a churrascaria, and it lasted three days. I attributed it to eating ungodly amounts of salty meat in one sitting, and my body was definitely not used to that. That was back in October when I was only visiting. The second time was a couple weeks after I arrived after my move here. This time I couldn't think of anything strange I had eaten, just normal food. This one was the worst. I woke up at 4 AM from the pain, it came every 15 or 30 seconds, and I was doubled over in pain from every cramp. I couldn't eat anything, and I slept for something like 18 hours, and missed two days of work. It was about a week before I felt normal.
And now this. Again, I didn't eat anything out of the ordinary. It started yesterday (Wednesday) in mid-morning, lasted the rest of the day. I went to the pharmacist and described what I was feeling, and he gave me pills for "colic and menstrual cramps" (which I do not have). I took two so far but they didn't do anything. I am a fan of natural cures, so if it is a bacterial issue, I figured eating plain yogurt and coalhada was a good idea. So, with each pill I had a little Greek yogurt or coalhada container. That's not a chore, I love yogurt.
Alas, it is the same, or maybe even a bit worse today. So tomorrow I will go to my first doctor's appointment ever in Brazil. The person is some kind of gastro/stomach specialist and it is halfway between home and work. So, easy enough. I am not a fan of doctors, but since this keeps happening it is probably time to go.
Here's hoping that no tests are needed where they stick a tube camera down your throat. *fingers crossed*
I can't imagine it's anything serious. The pain is not consistent; it's periodic pains that start off more frequent and slowly dwindle down until I don't notice them anymore. I have never been in labor, but I would compare it to a woman having contractions in labor, only way less severe (i.e. I can function, and I don't scream). But it's like that - it feels like a contracting of my stomach, I can't help wincing at its worst point, and then it goes away. It stays away from anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour. And then I get another one. Each one lasts 5-10 seconds.
The first time it happened was after my first visit to a churrascaria, and it lasted three days. I attributed it to eating ungodly amounts of salty meat in one sitting, and my body was definitely not used to that. That was back in October when I was only visiting. The second time was a couple weeks after I arrived after my move here. This time I couldn't think of anything strange I had eaten, just normal food. This one was the worst. I woke up at 4 AM from the pain, it came every 15 or 30 seconds, and I was doubled over in pain from every cramp. I couldn't eat anything, and I slept for something like 18 hours, and missed two days of work. It was about a week before I felt normal.
And now this. Again, I didn't eat anything out of the ordinary. It started yesterday (Wednesday) in mid-morning, lasted the rest of the day. I went to the pharmacist and described what I was feeling, and he gave me pills for "colic and menstrual cramps" (which I do not have). I took two so far but they didn't do anything. I am a fan of natural cures, so if it is a bacterial issue, I figured eating plain yogurt and coalhada was a good idea. So, with each pill I had a little Greek yogurt or coalhada container. That's not a chore, I love yogurt.
Alas, it is the same, or maybe even a bit worse today. So tomorrow I will go to my first doctor's appointment ever in Brazil. The person is some kind of gastro/stomach specialist and it is halfway between home and work. So, easy enough. I am not a fan of doctors, but since this keeps happening it is probably time to go.
Here's hoping that no tests are needed where they stick a tube camera down your throat. *fingers crossed*
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