GERD, breathing, and gas

I've had GERD since 2003. Recently, my symptoms have changed/worsened. When I get heartburn (which is frequently), it isn't just in the middle of my chest anymore. Now it seems to move the length of my chest - sometimes above or below the left breast, sometimes above or below the right, and sometimes in the gut. It is sometimes a shooting-type pain. I have also had dry mouth, and often feel like I am not taking full breaths, or that my lungs aren't filling completely, or something.

Admittedly, I have not exactly been very good to my body lately, either. I've been drinking pretty regularly and eating too much and have gained about 15 pounds in the past year. (Sadly, the only time I feel better is when I'm doing the things to my body that cause the problems!)

I had a panic attack during a particularly bad bout of GERD a few months ago and ended up getting my heart checked when I went to the ER. It turned out fine. So this all obviously must be GERD-related. I do take Xanax now on average 5 times a week to try to alleviate this issue.

I was most recently scoped in January of 2006. Some esophagitis, but nothing to be concerned about. Minor hiatial hernia. My GI told me 6 weeks ago I did not need to be scoped again right now.

Anyone ever have these symptoms? They really occupy my thoughts no matter what else is going on around me. I also am constantly burping, which is really annoying. Recently, I have been experiencing a lot of bloating in the stomach, and went a few days where I was bloated but couldn't stop going to the bathroom, either, and no matter how much I went, my colon still felt "full."

Sometimes, my symptoms get better for a short while after going to the bathroom or after working out. But they inevitably return.

I swear, if given the choice between winning the lottery and getting rid of GERD forever, I'd take the latter.

Generally, I wake up in the morning feeling semi-decent, but by lunchtime, I am a mess. I would say that I haven't felt 100% "normal" for an entire day for one to two years.

My instinct is that if I just stopped doing the things I know will be harmful to my esophagus and stomach, I'd feel better, But after 4-5 days of being really good to myself, when nothing changes, I just say screw it. It's a bad cycle.

Thanks for letting me vent.
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Are you taking a ppi? That is a good drug for GERD. I have to take one as my doc told me it was necessary to take one since I am taking an aspirin based medicine for my arthritis. I am also overweight but do not drink alcohol and do not drink more than 3 cups of java a day.

Well, after another massive attack following a night of drinking and eating poorly, I decided to put the bottle aside for awhile. My goal was 70 days, allowing myself one day to "cheat." I made it through 21, and then had a cheating Friday and Saturday this past weekend. But I didn't just cheat in moderation like I wanted. I went overboard.

The good news is that, in that three weeks, I figured out a lot. First off, I felt completely normal (from the time I woke up til the time I went to sleep) for 4 of those 21 days. That's 4 more days than I have felt normal in the last 2-3 years, so while it may not seem like a lot, it was a big deal for me. Second, I learned a lot more about what foods/drink/activity cause me more symptoms. These things were often masked by the fact that I was drinking several times a week to excess. Now I have a list of things I need to avoid. The most important thing I have realized is that if I cannot achieve some level of moderation in my lifestyle with eating and especially with drinking, I am going to give up the bottle for a long time. No amount of partying "fun" is worth feeling as horrible as I do right now, at 2:15 in the morning 2 days after my last drink. For those three weeks, I was off taking almost anything but my nexium (I may have had zantac 5 times and antacid 3 times) and it was such a relief. I didn't even have to take my anxiety meds once. Now I have taken 3 in the past 36 hours.

I am done being stupid. I'm just glad I have a forum like this where I can come for the support I need.

NUcats...I am thrilled that you feel so comfortable here to talk, and that you feel like you are getting some help here. Healingwell is a great place for information and support and I am happy you have found us. Cutting back on drinking is a great idea for a million reasons, and I wish you all the best with that, as I know it can be hard to do! As for your anxiety, a couple things, the anxiety board on here is great...I use to go there often, as I have HUGE anxiety issues...also, like mentioned above, have you talked about your anxiety issues with anyone? There is a lot that can be done to help overcome anxiety. No one should suffer with anxiety. I do wish you all the best, and I hope you keep us posted.

I use to take Xanax for my panic attacks, and anxiety issues. I then got switched to Klonopin that I take along with Effexor XR. It helps. The Xanax helped too, but I know some doctors rather not prescribe it. Anyway, I am glad you have gotten some help with yoru anxiety issues. Do you feel you are comfortable with using Xanax, or do you want another way to deal with it? Wishing you the best.