Feeling very overwhelmed and frightened ....

I probably sound like a big baby. I have not really introduced myself yet although I have posted and I feel like I haven't really given back ....I don't yet know much about GERD to answer questions yet but I'm learning. My name is Amanda, I just turned 30...I have two wonderful children, Cheyenne and Nehemiah 12 and 6. I live with my boyfriend of 3 years...may be popping the question soon.

I feel so overwhelmed by all of this. I lost a good job b/c of my reflux and anxiety. My reflux brought on my anxiety by the way. I was just fine before all of this. I took a course of antibiotics for strep and WHAMMMMO my life started going nuts. I wake up every morning in a panic b/c of the refluxed stuff all the way into my mouth. I have been to the ER (who suggested prilosec, which I couldn't handle due to the heart pounding)...then to a clinic who suggested doubling up on the prilosec or taking prevacid otc but to take it twice daily. He also prescribed me carafate...which I have not tried yet. I'm scared. Scared to death of these medications. I already have anxiety and so far prilosec and prevacid make it worse. well the prevacid I did like ...took it this morning...seemed like it worked for about 12 hours but made my throat feel weird and I was worried I might be allergic to it but i don't know. I want to get better but I'm scared of these medications. I only weight 96 pounds right now....my diet consists of white rice ..and sometimes a little chicken. I have no appetite. My boyfriend is frustrated w/ me b/c I'm not doing what the dr is telling me to do. They also prescribed me kapidex but 60 mg seemed like a lot to me ...so that is why I tried the otc prevacid 15 mg first...does it cause anyone else a weird sensation in the throat.

I feel like I just want to scream. B/c i lost my job I will lose my insurance at the end of this month. Then what am I gonna do? I'm so scared...I cry all the time and I'm real depressed. This is not ME...I don't want this. I want it to go away and I'm scared it never will and I will lose everything.

Should I just go back to the ER ...I have lost so much weight...I'm scared. I look ill...I hate looking in the mirror even that freaks me out right now. Why don't they do tests on me? My life is just being stolen away.

I'm so sorry you guys are all very nice people. I have been lurking and reading posts for a while. It is comforting.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9


Take care,



Kitt

ArbyBarbie-- I would concur with Bill. You NEED to see a GI Doctor so that she/he can fine tune your strategy in trying to manage this. As far as anxiety and stress--you are absolutely right that it can cause reflux. There are many strategies to deal with this as well..including many drugless methods like deep breathing exercises, sleep and thought management. MM

I wish I could give you an answer. I am in the same boat and have been for 9 months now but your situation won't improve at all unless you see a specialist. At least then, he/she can diagnose you and try different things to see how you react. I've had all sorts of tests done and so many are negative but with with each negative result, I can at least rule that issue out. Call now. Especially if your insurance if going to end. Also, I don't know where you are but you usually can extend your insurance for awhile if you pay it out of pocket yourself.