IBS, GERD, Difficulty breathing and anxiety

Hi. I am having on-going symptoms (almost 3 to 4 years now) of a lot of pain around my belly button (sometimes it seems like it bulges a little above the belly button and there is "gas" or something there), GERD, major anxiety, and the feeling that I am unable to breathe out... as if I will "cease" breathing. Lately, I have tried PRN levisen, Milk of Magnesium, Anti-acids, Prilosec, and when I have it (I ran out) a very small does of ativan (.25, half of a .5 mg tab helps calm me). I also take depakote ER for another unrelated condition (although I wonder if this medicine is causing side effects).

In any case, some episodes are so bad (particularly after larger meals), that I think I am going to die. I am generally more constipated than have diarreah... but when I have loose stool it can sometime cause extreme anxiety as it is the feeling of being constipate along with loose stool.

The breathing part distresses me the most... as I feel at times like I cease to breath... especially out... Also sometime it feel like I have had the wind knocked out of me and kicked in the stomach.

I have GERD and sometimes is feels like food just "sits" in my stomach".... I took Milk of Magnesia once a few weeks ago... 4 teaspoons... it took over 12 hours to "go to the bathroom"... I felt generally sick all day.

I often run low grade temps as well.

I have been to several MDs... they have done an ultrasound and an ENT... I was told I have a lower loose espophogeal sphincter and IBS.... but there has been NO other test... i asked for food allergy testing... I asked for stool sample... one doctor said he thought he might of felt a small hernia, but he wasn't a gastroenterologist.... the specialist never gave me an indication that I had a hernia.

This is really stopping me from enjoying my life. I used to exercise more... and walk.... but I get "out of breathe" and sometime my tummy will hurt. I have stopped eating dairy and gluten for fear that both contribute... and I am avoid a lot of things (like nuts, red meat, etc) for fear I might have an allergy.

Last night it got bad again... It is almost 2 and I haven't eaten. I don't have health insurance and am still paying off medical bills that I owe.... and I desperately need to get a handle on this condition because soon I will have to get back to work full-time (I am in grad. school now).

Does this combination of symptoms sounds familiar to anyone. This is my 1st post. Sorry it is so long.

I am going to dry and drink a lot of water today... SLOWLY eat some salmon and maybe cooked carrots.... and other "bland", soft foods.

Tired of Suffering,
Amy

I know this was many years ago, just hoping it will email you a notification. Try wim hof breathing. I know it sounds impossible to do a breathing exercise when you can't breathe, but trust me. It's the only thing that really helps. Maybe it will take you a full hour to get the good breathe in that you want, but so be it. The great thing about it is the following day the symptoms will have diminished almost completely every time I've tried this. It's amazing. Hope it helps!