Anxiety and Gerd.

How does GERD increase your anxiety?

Here is the place to share and learn ways others cope with anxiety associated with GERD and Heartburn.

This is your forum so share and know you are helping each other.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Hey Yuckygut,

I know when I first started to get heartburn I was sure I was having a heart attack.  I would eat a roll of rolaids to see if it went away. As the problems progressed I had one period of time where I regurged at night and would wake up coughing afraid I had aspirated. 

I would lay in bed and start to feel a panic attack coming on. Here is what I try to do now.

Remember: It does not matter if I  feel frightened, disorientated, dreamlike, or unsteady. These feelings are an exaggeration of the normal bodily reactions to stress.

Just because I  have these sensations doesn't mean I am  crazy. These feelings are just unpleasant and frightening, not dangerous. Nothing worse will happen to me.

Let my feelings come. . Don't run away from panic. When I  feel panic build up, I take a deep breath and as I  breathe out, let go. Keep trying. I stay there almost as if I were floating in space. Don't fight the feeling of panic. Accept it; I  can deal with it.

I don't indulge in stinkin thinking, "Why can't I be normal ? Why does this have to happen to me?" Just accept what is happening. . If I do this, what I  fear most will not happen.

I think about what is really happening to my body at this moment. I try  not think "Something terrible is going to happen. I must get out." I  repeat to myself "I am ok, I will not die or lose control."

What do others do when the anxiety kicks in?

Thanks
Kitt

Kitt, I like your thoughts on stinkin thinkin, it kind of reminds me of the saying, "it is what it is".

I guess we just have to accept it and move on.

yuckygut

diagnosed UC/GERD 1998

drink 1 Haldi daily 

Thanks to all and please if you find the anxiety getting out of hand I have lots of helpful info on anxiety as it has been a part of my life for many years.

When people have to deal with chronic illnesses it is bound to cause anxiety and even some deep depression.

Keep on talking everyone. 

Kitt

Speedy,

Your medication regime sounds very solid and if it is working for you that is great.  I know that there are many members out there still looking for a good combo.  The night time pain and regurge can be very distressful and anxiety producing.

Thank you so much for sharing.

Gentle Hugs to you,

Kitt

Hey My Dear Members,

There is something comforting about baring your soul to the members of  the GERD/Heartburn Forum and still being able to be anonymous. I am finding the stress right now is kicking in my  GERD and I am afraid to lay down at night.  I know alot of it has to do with my anxiety but also with my nutrition being all wacky from not being home to prepare my own meals.

How do you handle your GERD when you are in the middle of a family crisis.

Your helpful advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Kitt

I know that was the case for me, l started feeling unwell about 10 years ago and it started with feeling tired, lost of appetite, trouble sleeping which went on for a while after a long period of stress. Then l started getting stomach pains, was treated for h.pylori but the pain remained, tried antiacids but they didn't really work. Anxiety developed which made the pain worse that create more anxiety, so it was pretty much a vicious cycle. I went on antidepressants for a couple of years trying different ones as my anxiety and depression was bad that l felt like l was losing my mind, l even tried yoga and meditation. 2 years ago l came off antidepressants (the meds felt like they were surpressing the symptoms rather than get rid of them and the side effects were no fun either!) and the pain was worse than before and anixety and other symptoms came back, l was getting a burning feeling in my stomach and esophagus, l tried a few PPIs (nexium, somac, pariet) which helped but the pain remained, had another endoscopy which came back fine, saw an gastroenterologist and endocrinologist but they couldn't tell me what was wrong. 

So l started to do my own reseach and try different things. I tried taking Chinese herbal medicine though not very pleasant but l was willing to try anything.  It did get rid of the burning feeling in my esophagus but my stomach still felt acidic. Over a period of a year and a half l saw three different herbalist and l think because l was being treated for various symptoms it was a bit up and down but there were improvements. The biggest difference for me came when l started taking vitamins and minerals. Lets just say l didn't expect them to do anything for me because some years back my doc told me to take a multi vitamin which did nothing for me and all l've ever heard about supplements from the media was that they didn't work and were a waste of money.  Now I don't get a burning feeling in my esophugus or stomach, my stomach doesn't feel as acidic, l still get some irritation in my stomach, l'm not "cured" yet but l haven't had this relief from the pain in a long time and l suspect that it may be a while before everything goes back to "normal".

I was wondering for those going through stress and anxiety if they are taking any vitamin or mineral supplements?, if not can l suggest that if you are going through a stressful period, that you try taking a vitamin B complex and a multi vitamin. For anxiety I suggest taking a magnesium complex which also helps with stress and tension.  These were one of the first supplements l took, I also take others. 

Not all brands are the same, some brands may be better than others, so maybe ask someone who knows about supplements, read up on them or see a health care person who can help.  Also, don't take too many of the one supplement as they can cause other problems if you take such a big dose in a day and space them out throught the day. Also, if you're taking other medication you may want to talk to your dr first as some supplements may interfere with the meds.

Hey All,

For a long time investigators have noticed that stress is associated with worsening of GERD symptoms.

To complicate matters even further, most patients with GERD (up to 80%) have typical symptoms of GERD but without any evidence of inflammation or damage to their esophagus. Could stress play an important role in generating symptoms in GERD patients in general and specifically in those with completely normal esophageal lining? An even more intriguing question with a possible therapeutic implication is how stress causes worsening of symptoms?

In summary, GERD patients that are stressed report worsening of typical heartburn symptoms. Psychological factors, such as anxiety and somatisation may play a role, particularly in those patients without esophageal inflammation. Increased esophageal sensitivity to acid appears to be the underlying mechanism.

Interesting theory.

Kitt