"It's all in your head" - is there any truth to these words?

Hi!

I just wanted to share that I live in the Philippines and my mom's house is one of those greatly affected by the flood caused by typhoon "Ondoy" (international name is Ketsana). Prior to the typhoon, I've been experiencing a lot of GERD related problems - acid taste, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, heartburn, etc. Then when the crisis hit, I became very busy helping my mom and guess what: my symptoms are gone. I do get tired but it's mostly because we've had a lot of work trying to recover mom's things damaged by the flood and the cleanup process. But this really made me think, although I do have physiological reasons for the GERD and stuff, do I aggravate it in any way? Seems like being so busy thinking of someone else instead of my own problems actually solved my problems.

This being said, I should also point out that I've been getting treatment for my latest bout of symptoms and it's possible that my body just happened to recover in time.

Another point - I work in IT and am almost always sitting down. I had no place to sit in my mom's house (was filled with stinky mud). So being on my feet (and eating very little, I guess) might have helped me digest food better than sitting in front of the computer right after eating. I'm thinking of investing in a treadmill so I can takes "strolls" after a meal??

Self reflection: If the way I think can affect my disease, then in what way should I change?

Hi Kitt,

Sorry for the delayed reply, I haven't logged on for quite some time.

Yes, I was diagnosed with GERD and IBS by my physicians, in plural form because I've been going to several doctors in my search for an explanation for all that I'm experiencing :) I think I have a low LES although I don't remember the exact value because I don't have a copy of the report from the motility test that they did. I've pretty much ruled out stress as the primary motivating factor because there was a time when I was completely relaxed (on extended leave, yey!) and yet the symptoms were there. The sx are pretty much a constant part of my life in varying degrees of severity.

I do like to keep busy, and even insist on going to work even if I'm being bothered by all the sx. It's funny how our minds work though. You can't just tell yourself that you're OK because trying to convince yourself that you're OK means that you're acknowledging that you're not. I've come to terms with this disease and accepted its limitations. But I still believe in our own power to heal ourselves and if I can just learn the secret, then maybe I can do something pro-active instead of just learning to deal with it once the sx is in full force. Is this only wishful thinking?

Thanks so much for your concern. I wasn't too affected by the flooding but my mom was. She lives with my sister now because her house was badly damaged. Lots of other areas are still reeling from the floods and another super typhoon is reportedly on its way to us again. Please continue to pray for us and offer help if you can. I think the Red Cross from different countries accept donations and you just need to specify it's for the Philippine typhoon victims :)

Many thanks!