I have a lot of health problems and just found out I have a hiatal hernia. I have no symptoms and no damage (my doctor was looking for a cause to my nausea, and he says this isn't it). So I'm having a really hard time taking this seriously mentally. I have too many other things to worry about. And chocolate and mountain dew are my two favorite things in the world.
So someone knock some sense into me and tell me why I need to listen to my doctor :) Is any degree of cheating acceptable? I have cut down to one mountain dew a day at lunch, whereas I used to drink 2-3 a day. And I go some days without any chocolate (I used ot eat m&ms for breakfast as they were the only thing that eased my nausea), and other days I just have a small square.

You asked for someone to knock some sense into you so---I don't mean to offend you, but if you are going to take your health seriously, and you want serious responses from other posters--a healthy diet is the place to start. Common sense will tell you that M&M's for breakfast is NOT part of a healthy diet, nor is Mountain Dew. Good health starts with good nutrition.

I do want people to knock sense into me. But only because this diagnosis is very difficult to take given my other health conditions. I have been severely nauseated for over a year now. And I had full permission from my doctors to eat chocolate first thing in the morning if that helped... they encouraged me to eat any food I could keep down and said it was very normal for there to be a certain food that helps your nausea, even if they don't understand why. Carbonated beverages also helped to settle my stomach. I cry every day on my way to work while I try not to throw up. I've done my best to eat as many nutrient-dense foods as I can keep down whenever the nausea eases up. My nausea is most likely caused due to a tumor located just outside my brain. I also have problems with my adrenal glands. I don't feel a BIT bad about what I've eaten before I had this diagnosis. I would have loved to eat oatmeal for breakfast and spinach for lunch. I always enjoyed those food before I got sick. But my body won't let me do that anymore.
Now that I have this diagnosis, the nausea is much more difficult to control. I'll do it, obviously, if it is critical. Adding something to this is hard, but I know it will be easier if I know the REASONS for doing it. And that is why I posted. I need motivation if I am going to have to suffer more.
Yes, I want serious responses. But you should know this was a very serious question and consider yourself lucky if you are having an easier time than I am following the acid reflux eating rules.

Hi Bordergirl
Like you I have many other health issue's as well and have for yrs now... Also, for yrs people have been telling me oh you sound like you have a hiatal hernia and gave me suggestion on how to make myself feel better. You know, the diet, raise the bed to sleep etc dont lay down after eating well, like you I never took them seriously... BIG Mistake... I thought eh no biggy small hernia no problem.. BIGGER Mistake... As of 3 yrs ago I have had major trouble swallowing, MASSIVE nausea and have been sicker than I've been in 15 yrs. All caused by, you guessed it.. The hiatal hernia which has progressed to a HORRIBLE case of GERD, Esophageal spasms and GOD only knows what else. I recently had a scope done which showed the HH, GERD, Esophagitis, Gastritis and Duodenitis.. As for the swallowing? My food now has to be MUSHED up in a chopper and smothered with some kind of gravy in order for it to go down if it goes down and this is how I live now.. Do yourself a HUGE favor. TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY NOW while there are still no major problems. Get on an acid reducing diet and or meds and do what they tell you or you could end up like me.
PS. I was also a HUGE chocolate eater.. I still miss it but when I eat it, it kicks of the throat problems even worse now.

Thank you Robyn!!! Nobody has an easy time with a GERD diet, or other acid reflux "rules", but it's the only way to go if you seriously want to get better. Cutting out the junk foods has been a big plus for me, and my over all health has improved with a more nutritious diet. It has given me more energy, and a healthier body to fight off whatever problems may come my way in the future. It has taken me nearly a year to get to where I feel I am truly making lasting progress. As it seems you did, I too made excuses after excuses to eat my favorite foods, just a little "comfort" food--in fact you could say I took excuses to a whole new level!! But taking my diet seriously has been well worth it for me! Self discipline has been very hard, but for me it's paid off.

bordergirl---i also have GERD and a hiatal hernia. chocolate brought my first case of esophagitis on. don't really like it so it was easy for me. also don't drink soda so that's easy for me. following a strict diabetic diet because my diabetes is diet controlled and i want to keep it like that. are you ready for my stupidity. have quit smoking 3 times and have gone back.HOW STUPID!!!!!! with all of my health problems including asthma,vocal cord polyps, multiple allergies, HBP,diabetes it is not always easy to stop something you love even though it is hurting you. be gentle on yourself but do the best you can to try to avoid triggers for the acid reflux. it can cause a lot of damage in time.there is not a day that i don't wake up and the first thing on my mind is that i have to quit smoking again. the stress in my life is so unbearable at times that i get a day or 2 in and lose it again.