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Hello:depressed;swallowing problems;anxiety....

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Posted 6/21/2011 9:00 AM (GMT 0)

Hey;I'm new to this message board.I"ve had depression and anxiety for years.I have Acid Reflux Disease,which has been controlled for many years with prevacid.I've tried different kinds of meds for this in the past;this medicine had always been a lifesaver for me;for some reason;in March 2011,it just felt like my acid reflux went out of control.I've switched to Nexium,which seemed to help but my acid reflux is still bothersome.I noticed that eating soild food is just really out for me to handle anymore;eg,swallowing difficulty;nausea;belching;feeling of food getting stuck in my esophagus;chest pressure;chest discomfort.I've resorted to pretty much a liquid diet and soft foods;ie:ensure;applesauce;cream of wheat.

I just saw a GI Dr;he thinks it could be a narrowing;scarring of my esophagus.I'm scheduled to do an endoscopy soon.The Dr. said that if he sees any of the narrowing;he would dialate the problem.I know that this could return,if indeed this is my problem.I went to the er several times because I just wasn't eating;had to get IV drips and a few tests(barium swallow showed no narrowing or stricture).I've been so overwhelmed with all of this;I feel like my life is just crap anymore.The only relief I have from the pain of the acid reflux is to eat the way I have been;to eat soild food=misery;hard time breathing and the horrible nausea.I'm at a point to where I just don't want to get out of bed anymore.I'm sick of crying and feeling sorry for myself;wondering what I did wrong...I'm even in therapy because of all my bad thoughts.I fear even if I have this procedure done;it's not what it is and I'm stuck this way.I'm just at a point where the depression has just swallowed me whole and I'm not sure I can even lift my head anymore.When you deal with depression and get more added depression on top of that;it's just too much to bare at times.I try to stay positive but,it gets harder to stay positive.I had a problem years ago with a swallowing problem;due to my anxiety;I know now,that was just anxiety tightening my throat;maybe some acid reflux I was unaware about.What I am going through now is not in my head and I refuse for anyone to tell me otherwise.Anyway;I'm just curious if anyone else has dealt with any of these similar symptoms and situations?

Posted 6/21/2011 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I have not suffered from major depression like you but I do understand the struggle you're going through. Gerd is a battle at times.
Have you had a manometry test done yet? It is a test to measure your swallowing reflexes. A small tube is run down to your stomach via the nose and you're asked to drink water as the computer reads the pressure inside your esophagus. It's not a walk in the park but it can tell a lot about the esophagus.

Hang in there there is hope.
Posted 6/21/2011 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
i also have anxiety and depression and gerd. People think im making up the symptoms but im not. I have the chest pressure and chest pain. I also have breathing problems from the acid getting in my lungs. And i cant hardly breathe thru my nose. The depression and anxiety make the gerd worse and vice versa. I hate the breathing problems the most. Im only 28, and i feel like my life is over. Im trying to gain strength and fight this. Its a battle everyday. I dont see a gi til august.
Posted 6/21/2011 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thx Joy;no I haven't had a manometry done;I'm sure this GI Dr will run more tests.I've dealt with gerd for over a decade;I know how debilitating it is;I've just never dealt with a monster like this;to take away eating solid food for me;it's a nightmare.My GI Dr told me that surgery is a last resort;I've heard how dangerous that could be;I don't want it if whatever is going on with me can be corrected.I had my gallbladder tooken out years ago;I had to eat more carefully after that.I've always ate smaller meals;watched the greasy and acidic foods;I didn't just neglect my body.I have food allergies;have to be even more careful.Although I know you don't have to do that to have these kinds of problems.Things are because they just are I guess.I did drink quite a few sodas and I do smoke;big no no.I've dramatically cut the sodas;that does help with the darn gas.I still smoke;it's darn hard to quit,lol.
Posted 6/21/2011 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
~Cinn~

Welcome to HealingWell.  I look forward to getting to know you better.  I also have major depressive disorder, GAD and GERD.  I use PPI for GERD and on some days my favorite food is Fruit Flavored Tums.

Joy has given you good advice and I would follow it if I was having the problems you are right now.

When you have a physical problem along with anxiety it is tough to keep from going in circles trying to calm down two problems.  I do believe you are working hard at dealing with all of your issues the best way you can.

Be Well,

Kitt

Posted 6/21/2011 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Cinn

at more than one point, my vocal chords were so fried that i could hardly speak

and it felt like a golf ball was wedged in my throat

fear...anxiety...fear...anxiety...and on and on

i kept reducing the amount of food i ate at a "meal" until i got down so low that my stomach would not...did not reflux it back up

that meal was two slices of tofu the size of a match box and 1/4 of an apple

keep in mind i worked my way down to that portion having tried very very small meals on my way down to this minimal amount

i dont know if this will work for other people...i lost 40 lbs from fear and reduced eating and i guess the weight loss was a big part of turning the corner for me

of course i did all the other "recomended" things and used PPIs until the reflux backed off...took 6 months and i still struggle but im doing better...(not perfect...but better)

sleeping inclined and thats very very important

but not distending the stomach with larger meals was a big game changer for me

hang in there, you are not alone
Posted 6/21/2011 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,"hurt and scared"I'm sorry that you're going through this crap;I'm only 33;it's not right,is it?So;you have to wait until August?Sweetie;that is so far away.I drug my feet and finally;in May;I pushed for this specialist;I was scared to push at first but,I just can't take it anymore.It's been a wait for me too;I pushed on these people to get in;you have to fight to get heard;you know how these darn Drs make you wait.I was just diagnosed with cvp"heart arrythmia"I wake up with a pounding heart;heart skips a few beats here and there;I'm waiting to see a cardiologist now.I know it has something to with this throat/stomach prob.Those kinds of problems make you feel like your chest hurts/pressure.It's screwed up because it makes your anxiety/depression spin out of control.All you want is to be happy and have the quality of life you did have.You said that acid is getting in your lungs?Did any Dr tell you that was what is happening to you?Have you had adequate tests ran?I know when that starts to happen;you are at risk for pneumonia and it seems like the breathing problems are getting worse for you.How long has it felt like that liquid has been going into your lungs?I know how hospitals are;band-aid and foot in the ass when you come in;maybe you need to be hospitalized.I'm stable right now because I elect to eat the way I do and I have great relief because I choose to eat this way;versus feeling like I can't breath,food feeling stuck,wanting to throw up,but don't think I can;lay there in agony...

I hate it still;eating this way;I'm constipated;fatigued;depressed etc...I traded one misery for another I'velost lilweight;I'm hungry a lot;I just want to grab food and hope for the best;that fear keeps me from doing so;all those gerd symptoms;choking,belching,etc..
Posted 6/21/2011 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you;stkitt;I do a lot of research and I found in an article that tums,etc that has calcium in it can actually cause more stomach acid;hence,nausea...I eat tums sometimes as well;It helps but,I do notice a lil nausea with it;I just thought I'd give the fyi,if you didn't know.
Posted 6/22/2011 11:16 AM (GMT 0)
Currently have Bravo...After years of feeling like my food is stuck in my throat I finally received a diagnosis that explains it, and is very often confused with REFLUX. IT IS CALLED eosinophilic esophagitis!!!
Does your throat often feel like its going to close up?
In 2008 they found esophagil rings and did balloon dialation. They said it was the cause of reflux, but 2 days ago (2011) I had endoscopy that showed no rings but they took a biopsy and found that I have eosinophilic esophagitis. They also installed the Bravo capsule to see if it is reflux related, which now they don't think it is. Now I have this uncomfortable capsule in my esophagus...I want it out now, It makes me feel panicked!
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