Gerd/LPR, Anxiety and Antidepressants

Hey everyone,

I feel so funny because I keep posting about different things however, that is how it's going for me right now. It seems as though my symptoms change daily.

Anyhow, I am wondering if anxiety can really cause all these symptoms. I do believe that I am dealing with LPR issues too (tickle in throat, voice breaking occasionally, etc.). I went off my Cymbalta three months ago because I thought it might be causing problems (this was after my digestion issues started). However, now I seem worse and I am considering going back on the Cymbalta because my anxiety over all of this is THRU THE ROOF! I was only antidepressants for a little over a year or so because of anxiety issues related to my lyme disease symptoms of numbness, tingling, blah blah blah.

Recently, I went on vacation and I did not have any symptoms while gone. This does make me think that anxiety is a huge factor in this, but I just find it hard to believe and accept. Instead, I worry about my condition 24/7 and I'm running in a circle with symptoms/anxiety, etc. Could anxiety be the culprit here?

I am also wondering if LPR (which I am pretty sure I'm dealing with) ever gets better. I get so worried reading about all of these stories. However, I've read a couple of good stories today and that gives me a little hope.

Thank you and if you have input, I would very much appreciate your comments...

Anxiety used to significantly increase my GERD symptoms. It was a terrible circle, GERD would cause anxiety, which in turn increased my symptoms. Then when I would have a rough day at work, everything would be intensified further and I'd basically be non functional.

Interestingly enough, the thing that did the most for my anxiety and also my GERD symptoms (over PPIs, Gaviscon, and all of the other stuff you can try) was an anxiety medication, Klonopin. Unfortunately, it was not sustainable at all. I developed a tolerance to the medication and needed to increase my dose, then I became tolerant to that. My doctor upped the dose a second time and it wasn't long until I was tolerant of that and felt no benefits, other than knowing if I missed a pill, I'd feel awful. I didn't want to keep increasing the dose and did not like the fact I was basically hooked on it, so I slowly weened off of it, which was pretty rough.

I also tried Cymbalta and then Lexapro, completely because of my GERD related anxiety. I felt neither benefits nor side effects. Couldn't tell a difference, so I stopped taking it. I do have friends who have taken both and have had huge successes controlling anxiety.

So, bottom line, anxiety and stress can definitely increase GERD symptoms.

What is LPR.............feel like should know this, but can't come up with it!

What other symptoms do you have other than LPR? Some GERD symptoms, especially regurgitation, are stronger signs that reflux is a problem compared to chest pain, tight throat etc. which could be anxiety.

Yes LPR can get better, usually involves PPIs and lifestyle measures. Can it be cured? Maybe not without surgery, if reflux is still getting up there it's going to continue to wear away at the laryngeal tissue, less so if acid is out of the equation.

Post Edited (drtinsac) : 7/21/2012 6:24:14 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks everyone for your advice. I did start back on 20mg of cymbalta yesterday. I hate that i have to be on this but my anxiety over these health issues are so completely overwhelming to me that i cannot handle it.

I really am getting so depressed over all of this. I have an appt with my gi doc on monday and have a list of questions ready. I think i am going to ask for a ph test to confirm this reflux into my throat. Is that the test i should be getting done first? I already had an endoscopy in may and except for some very mild gastritis, everything was normal.

No, not really, just the usual...
hiccups after eating during the first weeks
tooting more than normal :))

You need to have a EGD, barium swallow, stomach emptying, motility study, and a ph test before having the surgery.