Updates:

Couldn't do the test today. Called in the morning and found out the bad news:

- Needed to have fasted INCLUDING NO WATER for 8 hours prior to the test. Test was scheduled for 11am. GTFO. They didn't even tell me this when I scheduled it, or there's no way I would have done 11am. But in any case, even 8am would have been tough, as I always wake up super thirsty. It was miserable in the morning, until finally I gave up, cancelled the appointment, and downed 1 1/2 bottles of water.

- Test is a fucking HOUR long where I have to lie completely flat. That's pretty much a no-go for someone with both LPR and anxiety, even when on Xanax. This is especially true if it feels like I'm dying of thirst at the same time.

So I e-mailed the doctor, who is gone til Thursday, and asked for possible alternatives to this test.


Since I didn't go to the test, I also didn't take any Xanax. I know some of you were waiting to see how my 2nd time would go, but you'll have to keep waiting.

On the bright side, if there is one:

Choking sensation when trying to sleep hasn't happened in a number of days. I am on a bed on an 8-inch slant, and I prop two pillows up, so that is also a factor. But I used to have to keep getting up and walk around to make the choking sensation go away, and that isn't happening now. Falling asleep has been far easier, though still not as easy as it used to be.

I previously credited with the cold for helping this. I still have remants of the cold -- occasional nasal congestion, and occasional cough, but it's mostly gone. So now I wonder if it's something else.

One thing different I've done is I started taking Mucinex (Guaifenesin) 400mg. This is 1/3 the dose of the maximum strength. It's supposed to thin mucus. Perhaps that's what's helping reduce the choking sensation? I still feel the lump in my throat, so I'm not sure. I might try upping the dose to 600 or 800, and see what happens. I was at first taking a form of Mucinex which also had a cough suppressant, but I don't really need that, and I found it was giving me more anxiety (which is a listed side effect). So I got pills instead with only Guaifenesin. Seems low risk, so why the hell not give it a shot.

I have noticed kind of a low energy sensation, where I get winded easily (where I previously didn't). However, my girlfriend, who caught this same cold, also reports that as a symptom, so perhaps it's just the end of the cold.

Weight has leveled off. Been circling around 216. Sometimes a bit more, sometimes a bit less, but seems to keep coming back to 216. Never thought I'd say this, but I'm glad I'm not losing weight anymore. I want control of the weight loss, and I feared that an extended period of weight plummeting could cause all kinds of problems, including being underweight. Was also worried that it could be indicative of a greater problem. Since it's been about 3-4 weeks of the same weight, I think that factor is pretty much out, barring another huge increase in anxiety. The weight loss itself probably isn't bad long term (unless I harmed my liver from how rapidly it happened). It's definitely healthier to be at 216 than 241, and even LPR is supposed to be improved by weight loss.