I decided I would stop taking my Prevacid and start chewing licorice instead. The consumption police have warned me time and again that Prevacid, as well as shrimp, pork, chicken, cola, sugar, anything processed, and any non-organic vegetable or fruit will kill me. So I thought maybe I could start knocking these banned consumptibles down, one poison at a time. I haven't had cola in quite some time, so I do have one score on my board.
I had read that licorice is a good remedy for acid reflux, which I have bigly. So I studied the sparce offering of licorices on the candy rack at the local pharmacy and picked the one in the picture--maybe because it originated in Australia, I don't know. I know absolutely nothing about the finer points of licorice, so I had to find something on which to base my choice.
Well, either I chose wrong, or I hate licorice. I had eaten licorice jelly beans, which I know are mostly sugar, and while they weren't my favorite jelly bean (that would be cinnamon), they weren't disgusting either.
I am here to tell you that the Australian licorice was, indeed, disgusting. I popped one into my mouth and began to chew. I thought I would never get it down. The thing tasted exactly like I imagine a plug of tire rubber infused with diesel fuel would taste. I don't think I've ever put anything into my mouth with such a horrible taste, with the possible exception Robitussin, which I made the mistake of trying once at the well meaning advice of Vann. On second thought, I believe the licorice was worse, much worse. N'ary another piece of licorice will ever cross my lips. I swear it. (Nor will another dose of Robitussin, but I swore that swear years ago--and have stuck to it.)
So I'm sticking with Prevacid. Several years ago when I was diagnosed with acid reflux, I had already suffered serious esophageal damage with accompanying esophageal spasms (the pain of which I am told is comparable to a massive heart attack). So I must treat my problem, and it ain't gonna be with licorice.
THE END
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On 04/10/2017, Joanne said ...
Lemme check my endless list of prescription medications, and I'll tell you which pill I take for acid reflux. It has two names--Pantoprazole (Protonic). I guess is works, because I don't have AR, but then I never did. Same with the statin drug I take for high cholesterol, though I've never had high cholesterol, either. But I'd rather keep swallowing them than trying something as revolting as licorice.
On 04/10/2017, Debbie Price said ...
Susan,I found a place you may want to try, medcline.com. If it doesn't work, you get your money back. It does cost
a bit. Wish I could think of something else.
On 04/11/2017, Donna M said ...
Some of the side effects of real licorice (according to webmd) are high blood pressure, it can exacerbate heart problems - increased heart rate, makes kidney disease worse, hormonal issues, etc. So, it is not without risk if taken daily or in large amounts. The taste is just an added bonus. lol. There may be something else you could take that has fewer downsides and is not disgusting.
On 04/11/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
Amen, sister! I cannot abide the awful flavor of licorice, no way, never, and bleach! Oh, add 'shudder' to that list.
As a nurse, my own opinion for myself is eat what you like in moderation, have waht is insanely rich but lovely occasionally, and eat reasonable the rest of the time. There is no sense in eating what tastes bad - or doing completely without salt (sugar, orwatever) just because somebody thinks you should. Have less. Besides, once you get to be a certain age, it doesn't matter so eat what you enjoy. :)
Hugs!
On 04/11/2017, Jane said ...
I have been on a prescriptive drug, Omeprazole capsules, 20 mg 1 daily It has helped me enormously! Also advised not to lie on your right side after a late meal. That also helps! good luck, Susan!!. Untreated, it I can develop into a dangerous situation.
Just finished Ramey Channell's book, "The Witches of Moonlight Ridge." I stayed up until 2 am to finish it and then wished that she had already finished a sequel. Your sister is extremely gifted, as are you!! I loved this book even more than her first book in the series..
On 04/14/2017, Sandy said ...
My late husband suffered ONE esophageal spasm and after being rushed to the doctor and extensive tests to rule out massive heart attack, the dr told him to stop on his way home, buy a bottle of Mylanta, and take a big gulp. With my hand on the Bible, I can tell you that as the Mylanta slid down his throat, the spasm stopped!!! Needless to say, from that time on there was a bottle in every room of our house, his office desk and even his truck. This stuff works!!!! The black jellybeans are my favorite!!! LOL
On 04/20/2017, Vickie said ...
You mentioned that maybe it was the brand of licorice that wasn't good. If you want to give licorice another try I would suggest Panda Bear Licorice. You can get it in most health food stores. It is not a strong licorice taste but it is real licorice. We love it. It comes in a box.
On 04/28/2017, Julia said ...
I was just going to recommend 'Panda' but you beat me to it! Sadly I can't get it here in France but devour it when I visit England. Likewise, 'Pontefract' cakes which are little liquorice circles, originating from Pontefract in Yorkshire, but somewhat stronger than 'Panda'. Yum, yum.
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Yesterday I did something I haven’t done in a while: I went fabric shopping in a real store (as opposed to online). My sister Ramey needed to go, so I tagged along. We spent an hour or so in Jo-Ann’s Fabrics, where I gathered up some gray fabric to add to my stash. I have very few grays, and since I’m thinking of doing my heart blocks with gray backgrounds, I thought I’d better have some on hand. 
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