Monday, August 01, 2011

Oh God, help me make it through Ramadhan


My throat have been troubling me for a week. It spoilt my short R&R cum "work" early last week.

Upon my return on Wednesday, I immediately paid a visit to my ENT Specialist, Dr Aminuddin Saim the next day.

Dr Aminuddin happen to come from my kampung and his younger brother to my schoolmate and friend, Prof Dato Lokman Saim of UKM.

Both the brothers were the leading doctors in the ground breaking bionic ears operation some 10 years ago. Dr Aminuddin has a practise in Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital and is still dedicated to research and patenting his medical findings.

Now the bad news.

As told by Dr Aminuddin, it seems I've got sleep apnoea and acid reflux problems.

Sleep apneoa explains for the loud snoring in my sleep or even at half sleep, waking up with dry mouth and sore throat, restless sleep, daytime sleepiness, and a series of other symptoms. Read on here if you wish to learn of this problem.

Here is the funny part. I used to kid that Pak Lah should take up Chairmanship in Foundation for Sleep Apnoea. It's Pak Lah's pay back time.

In my last appointment some months back, Dr Aminuddin told me of this possibility. This time around he suggest I start looking up to buy a sleep machine. Not only is my trip and travel cumbersome with my IT paraphenalia for blogging, I have to now worry about carrying a sleep machine.

A new sleep machine in Malaysia is rather pricey. It can fetch up to RM7,000. Heard one can get on e-Bay at as low as RM2,000. If there is someone selling a second hand machine, do leave a message in my commentary box.

For the incessant cough I've been suffering for a week, it looks to be a recurring old gastric related sickness. I had it in my youth as a result of skipping the bad hostel food.

The sporadic cough and sore throat had been around for more than six months to as far back as Hulu Selangor by-election.

Acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, commonly referred to as GERD, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into the esophagus. Read here.

In my case, I've got no liquid regurgitating back but more of gas. At times, I feel like puking but hardly any liquid comes out.

The weekend rest and strict adherence to the specialist recomendation helped but not significant enough. It is still discomforting.

And I've got my other issues to worry.

My worry is I've got a major travel plan in two months time. I need to be strong, healthy and fit, not to mention the tall order of being lean as soon as possible.

It is only noon on the first day of Ramadhan and the pain from the repeated cough without medicinal help is quite excrutiating.

Hope I can last the day. And it's only the first day.

Oh God, help me make it through this Ramadhan.

Anyway, to my fellow Muslim reader, happy Ramadhan. May your Ramadhan be a joyful and spiritually fulfilling. The real thing is in Ramadhan and not so much as Syawal.

For those curious non-Muslim, try fasting with us. It is good for you. Start slow and try to catch up. But on one condition.

You are not unhealthy like my condition now.

13 comments:

Tok Mudim said...

Salam Ramadhan Bro,

my suggestion for your sporadic cough ( batuk 3 bulan kata orang dulu ) is to try taking "manuka honey". Insyaallah ok . Can get it at local pharmacy. Get the ori one.

As for your gastric ( angin satu badan ) which I also had before, ever since berurut dengan seorang wak dekat pasar keramat 5 years ago, no more gastric for me and my body feel lighter and no more angin satu badan. Satisfaction guaranteed, but please note that no pain no gain. This is real urut.
( price is sometime - ikhlas but if your badan dah keras banyak angin he will charge a reasonable price.

If you are interested in this real traditional massage, give me your email and I will give you his number - urut by appointment only as so many regulars will come especially at night and weekend.

Anonymous said...

Time to reflect on your " sinful profession". Jabir relates from Anas that God's Messenger, on him be peace, said: 'Five things break a man's Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze.'

Goose & gander said...

Brick/Batu
Try www.emjayjb.multiply.com see the right column.
I had sipi2 acid reflux - took papaya enzyme & home-made saurerkraut. Maybe sipi2, 1wk dah improve. As everything/anything google ajer. Alhamdullilah, I'm better than 2yrs ago.
Amin to yr doa (yg baik)

Gurindam Jiwa said...

May Allah grants you a speedy recovery... Salaam Ramadhan.

Anonymous said...

Ever try alternative medicine - http://www.earthclinic.com/

Just a thought.

where2 said...

Had terrible attacks during student days, tried everything..

Finally this did the trick for me. Fresh potatoes, cut in cubes and boil with little water.

Carry this with you, take few cubes every now and then. This should help stir acid away fm yr stomach linings.

As for cough, same as above but use radish instead.

Got these tips from Chinese food cures and home remedy.. simple and cheap.

Try this for a month, Insyaallah.

Singh Is Kinng said...

Salam Tuan ...

Do not ever underestimate the kind of stress induced by computer related task ... especially when you are engaging in cyber war in which the top generals at Putrajaya have made it as a habit to commit more and more political blunders ...

Ramadhan Al Mubarak ...

A Voice said...

Where2

Thanks for the remedy. I know it works. Wife used to prepare that as remedy for something.

Thanks Tok Mudim.

And Singh, you are right. Tengah fed-up asyik defend their blunders.

Anonymous said...

You can get a Phillips CPAP machine for less than RM3K (including hose and nasal masks)if you buy directly online from the US as our exchange rate is very favorable now. Delivery via FedEx will take about 3 - 4 days and there is no custom duties or tax for these items upon arrival.

Anonymous said...

hmm samalah kita sini, asyik sedawa (muntah angin) sampai teman sebelah kata "try harder, you might get to puke your belly out"

Tok Mudim, ada alamat atau contact tukang urut?

Anonymous said...

Hi, saya dari Subang Jaya. Ada menjual mesin CPAP secondhand untuk pesakit yang menderita OSA-sleep apnea. mesin masih ada waranty dalam setahun lagi. Harga RM4800 tapi masih boleh nego. SMS 0122350048. Terima Kasih.

Anonymous said...

Hi, saya ada secondhand CPAP mesin untuk dijual. Masih ada waranty dalam setahun lagi. harga RM4800 tapi masih boleh nego. Lokasi Subang Jaya. SMS 0122350048 jika berminat. terima kasih

apu mridha said...

Very informative post. .:) enjoyed reading every bit of it ...

Thanks for sharing ..

Apu

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