Be aware of your symptoms

Many times individuals tend to ignore their symptoms, expect them to go away over a period of time or too scared to be seen by a doctor.  For a year I did that.  I waited and waited, thoughts running through my mind trying to figure it out on my own.  Perhaps I had just a strange stomach bug that only caused me problems every now and then.  It wasn't until my symptoms became worse, occurred frequently and the constant loss of weight that I decided to seek medical advise.  For 2 years after going back and forth to the doctors office, really no answer given as to why I kept having problems, I became extremely discouraged and frustrated.  Was all my symptoms all in my mind?  I couldn't have just made up all my pain and discomfort.  I didn't think I was a hypochondriac.  My point is, no one should ignore their symptoms.  It is a way for your body to alert you that something is wrong.  I really wished I had sought medical attention sooner than waiting a year.  Perhaps I would have been healthier.  I was determined to find an answer to my symptoms.  Now that I know I have a stomach disease, I regret not having that second plate of food or even devouring a huge cake or ice cream.  Now I cant.  Now I can only consume about a cup of food each time I eat.  My symptoms will never get better.  Over the last couple of years I have slowly gotten worse.  There is no cure.  Even though I do not like the fact that I do have a rare stomach disease that limits me on what I can consume or the quantity, I am very thankful I can still eat.  Things could be worse.  I am hoping I will never get to the point to where I would have to need a feeding tube.  With that said, I want to encourage everyone, if you have symptoms you can't figure out, please seek medical advise.  It could make a huge difference in your life.