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Has GERD made you develop anxiety or depression?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/22/2013 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Ever since they said I had GERD I haven't felt like the same person I was the week before. I guess I am still learning to live with it but I still haven't really felt back on track since. I urinated some blood up the other day and they gave me Ciprofloxacin which I think is giving me horrid chest pains combo'd with my GERD's heartburn. I'm so I don't know, I was never EVER a sad, depressed person my whole life, I'm someone who thinks "hey if that guys being a jerk, hes probably just having a bad day." I was super positive and outgoing. Now I am a new person.

I was just wondering if the majority of you needed to be treated for anxiety or depressing, after obtaining GERD?

Post Edited (makesmybonesache) : 9/22/2013 4:52:58 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/22/2013 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi....My symptoms started about 6 months ago with bubbles gurgling in my throat and getting instantly full when I would try to eat after feeling extremely hungry. I was so busy at work I didn't see a doctor, but 3 months later it progressed to extreme burning breath in my throat. Ice water didn't even touch the burn. My doctor put me on Prilosic. After 2 weeks I became extremely sick during the night, diarrhea and projectile vomiting...hardly made it to the bath room. From that point on I had extreme nausea without vomiting. When the nausea would hit me I got very weak, like it pulled out all my strength. I dropped 17 pounds in 3 weeks.I was also experiencing hoarseness where I would almost lose my voice. My doc sent me to a gastro specialist. From there I had the hydrogen breath test, a nuclear MRI to see if my gall bladder was functioning, a CAT scan on my GI tract with all negative results. Next I had the endoscope with biopsies: a stomach polyp was negative, no Barrett's esophagus, no H Pylori....all was normal. Next I had a colonoscopy because the CAT scan did show. Thickening in the intestine wall. When he went in, all was fine! In the meantime I tried to wean myself off the Prilosic since I have no follow up and feel I am on my own. After 2 weeks of weaning I am back on the 20mg per day and the 2 Zantac I m also supposed to take. I was never told I had GERD, I'm just assuming I do. This is very frustrating. As a person who also, always ate and drank whatever I wanted, my life as I knew it has been put on hold. No coffee, alcohol, chocolate, fried foods, butter, cream or creamy sauces, spicy foods, citrus foods and drinks etc. what helps me when I feel the swelling in my throat is a hot cup of ginger tea with honey. It does help me burp to get relief. I also drink lots of water, sometimes with lemon which has an alkalizing effect on the body. The worst part of all of this is not knowing why this happened or if it is a life long affliction. I tend toward panic attacks and fight the fear frequently over this whole thing. I understand your depression! I am praying and hoping for a miracle! I want my life back! This ruined my whole summer....and my daughters wedding is coming up in 6 weeks and I am praying I'll get through the night (of course no wine or wedding cake for me!!!). My progression this last week has been ringing in my ears, a sore throat, headaches and a dripping burning nose. God bless you this is more than any human being should have to handle. My doctor also told me stress probably brought it on I own 2 businesses- a dance studio and store....some of the parents are crazy lol). But I am trying to be positive. I will continue to monitor these posts. Please let me know if any of you have gotten relief since you first wrote! Subie2
Posted 9/23/2013 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
When my GERD and re-flux got really bad at the beginning of this year I was a wreck. I started seeing a psychiatrist because it really took its toll on me. I couldn't understand why my body was betraying me so badly.

You might be able to see from my journal, but I had surgery for it since nothing was working and both my Gastro and Surgeon told me because of my hernia, the medication would not solve any problems. Surgery isn't appropriate for everyone and every situation and the thought of having surgery was even more terrifying to me, but I had an excellent team of doctors and now, 6 weeks out from surgery I feel like I have my life back. I was so hopeless and anxious, but now I am not. Please dont give up hope. There are so many options to help with GERD now. I no longer take any medication, for GERD, for anxiety, for depression.

I wish you all the best and healing
Steph
Posted 9/23/2013 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
HEALTH ANXIETY:

Often painful and chronic GERD symptoms can lead to Health Anxiety.  This anxiety can become overwhelming, and can even make your symptoms worse.  Here are some great resources to help deal with Health Anxiety issues.  Just work through each module, and the process can help you understand and deal with that troubling symptom that can interfere with your life.  Good luck!

 

PS...No matter how hard I try, some of these links won't work.  Just copy and paste them into your Google search and they will come up !  Click on the Google topic response and you will open up the PDF file.

 

Remember you must put the link for each module into the search engine one by one. 

Module 1:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%201.pdf

Module 2:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%202.pdf

Module 3:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%203.pdf

Module 4:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/ACF6425.pdf

Module 5:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/ACF88A2.pdf

Module 6:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%206.pdf

Module 7:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/ACF6428.pdf

Module 8:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%208.pdf

Module 9:

http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%209.pdf 

If you can't view the PDF documents  it's likely you don't have a PDF viewer installed on your computer. 

You can get a safe and free download at Adobe Reader here:

http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Provided by Moderator: Dencha

Posted 9/23/2013 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
I woke up with a lump in my throat on March 10th when i had the Bravo probe in my esophagus. My life has been a living hell every since. The thing that has ruined my life is that they put me on ativan in the ER for the throat lump. I had no idea what it was. Whatever anxiety you have, DO NOT take a benzodiazapene.
Posted 9/24/2013 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thats not really fair to say lobstahguy.

Ativan and xanax really helped me with my anxiety and to get through testing and the terror I felt before surgery.

It is like any medication, where its not for everyone, but sometimes it works really well and does improve the quality of life for those who need it when used along with talk therapies and other methods to manage the anxiety.
Posted 9/24/2013 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
Do you take it everyday?
Posted 9/24/2013 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
There was a period of time before my surgery that I took it every day twice a day for months, then after surgery my Dr. recommended I try tapering off. So I took a smaller dose less frequently and now I take it as needed. I have not taken it in five days.
Posted 9/24/2013 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Of course it causes anxiety and depression. All of your most basic functionalities as a human get screwed up.

You can imagine what 12-15 years of dealing with it can do to a person.
Posted 9/24/2013 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with SJ. Benzos have their place, but not everyone reacts the same to them. I take it daily for my PTSD and have no issues with it at all. I take 1.5mg twice a day.

There are a few different benzos that are in the same family, but work a little different. The one I take is longer acting than ativan.

If it weren't for it I would be a mess with the nightmares I wake from.

Same thing for anti depressants. They have their place, but not everyone reacts the same.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 9/24/2013 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
It has caused me to become more and more depressed, and anxious. I get so tired and sick of feeling like crap, and everyone thinks I'm faking. I look normal, and every test says I should be healthy. The worst part for me, with all of this is the palpatations, it really freaks me out. I am 40, and I am still an outgoing person, but it has definetly taken it's toll on me. The only thing that gets me through any of this, is I look at my daughter and see her smile and I think of her. I also take xanax now for the anxiety. I wish you the best, and hopefully one day there will be a medicine to fix all the symptoms.
Posted 9/25/2013 4:18 AM (GMT 0)

stkitt said...


Often painful and chronic GERD symptoms can lead to Health Anxiety. This anxiety can become overwhelming, and can even make your symptoms worse. Here are some great resources to help deal with Health Anxiety issues. Just work through each module, and the process can help you understand and deal with that troubling symptom that can interfere with your life. Good luck!

PS...No matter how hard I try, some of these links won't work. Just copy and paste them into your Google search and they will come up ! Click on the Google topic response and you will open up the PDF file.

<font color="red">Remember you must put the link for each module into the search engine one by one.

Module 1:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%201.pdf

Module 2:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%202.pdf

Module 3:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%203.pdf

Module 4:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/ACF6425.pdf

Module 5:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/ACF88A2.pdf

Module 6:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%206.pdf

Module 7:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/ACF6428.pdf

Module 8:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%208.pdf

Module 9:
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/docs/Health%20Anxiety%20Module%209.pdf

If you can't view the PDF documents it's likely you don't have a PDF viewer installed on your computer.
You can get a safe and free download at Adobe Reader here:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

Provided by Moderator: Dencha

Hey Skitt I hope you read this but you could recommend users right click the links and "save link as" so people can save them and have them forever turn I also suggest maybe you saving them all yourself and uploading them to a website like mediafire so users can download them all in one click :)

I take that back there's some kind of weird html in the links so it doesn't save correctly.

Post Edited (makesmybonesache) : 9/24/2013 10:38:16 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/30/2013 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Add me to the list of people that have experienced Anxiety as a byproduct of GERD. I have never been an anxious person but after my GERD symptoms started, so did my health anxiety. When my chest pains started I thought I was having a heart attack! Thankfully after a battery of tests and a week long stay in the hospital I was given a clean bill of health and found that I had a healthy heart. Unfortunately the vagus nerve being irritated and leads to a constant "on edge" feeling when my GERD is acting up.

I have refused Benzo's thus far as they only seem to make things worse when I'm not taking them and have decided to treat my anxiety with meditation and deep-breathing exercises. It isn't a quick fix solution to the anxiety but is has helped me from reaching a full blown panic attack on numerous occasions.

Hopefully you will begin to feel like your old self again soon!
Posted 9/30/2013 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Just a comment but I think people have to be very careful when taking Valium also known as diazepam. When I was actually on then I was okay but after the high I went very low and I actually felt like slitting my wrists and I had a brain fog. After the dose wore off, I could actually feel a cloud lifting from my mind. I wasn't addicted as I actually only took 3 tablets ... But on the low, I was all over the place and was really really depressed. So benzo's aren't for everyone .. Just try plain old fashioned meditating and mind over matter. Yes gerd and gastritis does cause depression, your stomach is your second brain.
Posted 10/14/2013 3:45 AM (GMT 0)

bossbrew said...
Add me to the list of people that have experienced Anxiety as a byproduct of GERD. I have never been an anxious person but after my GERD symptoms started, so did my health anxiety.

You could not have put this in a better way. I consider myself a stressful person, but not anxious, I have no fear about things other than the safety of my son like any other mother. I lived my life with little anxiety, and high stress until recently when my marriage got better. Once food poisoning triggered strong GERD my panic attacks went through the roof. Ever since then I have had agoraphobia and at the moment, ( its only been a week) still cant drive on the freeway alone.

You are not alone, I even had a good friend who developed GERD and soon after panic attacks and anxiety occurred. I don't think out bodies can tell the difference between GERD symptoms which are similar to severe health issues. I was lucky enough to have started with migraine symptoms (face and hand tingling, vision impairment, and severe pain) which makes matter worse.
Posted 10/18/2013 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your contribution to the topic.. I am a male in my early fifties..

I had reflux for a long time but was unaware of it, until about a 2years ago (I when thru some stressful times) and now it's like my life is on slow go dealing with all the symptoms addressed on this topic. I had the same tests and all positive.. I always had a healthy diet (vegetarian, although because of work I was not eating all my meals on time.. so most day was skipping some meals and having late dinners.

I am taking all the natural products I can to deal with the reflux..DGL, Probiotics, Ginger and other herbal tea, yogurt, all the good spices for digestive support, all greens herbs drink every morning, eat fresh aloe plant (I like the taste) and now just started with a Digest support from NOW products. ( I try not to skip a meal anymore, even if it make me feel sick)

I am still nausea every morning (Had to stop working) and it take me a long time to get myself together - always feeling to burping, but seem gas is stuck and have to walk, jump punch my stomach or just lay until I burp.. but it never feel like a final burp. I am always feeling lightheaded and it bring on major anxiety

I live in NY and use the train to travel.. it is stressful as I cannot travel on the train because of the feeling to burp .. that bring on the anxiety.. I have to get of train most time before I pass out (it is the scares felling)

I feel like I have no social life and cant get any of my physical activities in, it would be nice to feel normal again.

I am hopefully (Thanks for everyone sharing their stories - pray everyone get some relief soon), however.. after all the site and forum I reviewed, it seem like most doctors or even the natural health practitioners, don't have a universal system for diagnosing GERD/Acid reflux problem and no universal cure.

With so many sufferer and all the over the counter meds for heartburn. I would pray we have a group of doctors and herbalist working on a general cure for stomach issue (we all know if your guts is good you feel good) We need more funds to researching of healthy gut ..

GERD/Reflux, don't kill you directly (I see from all my search), but it sure can lead to other health issue that can. We have just as many people including babies, teen, adults and elders sufferings (along with silent sufferers and those who don't have a clue as to what happening with them as it comes on sudden) - JUST LIKE CANCER WE NEED FUNDING TO STOP THIS BUG

Thanks moderator for allowing me to vent, made me feel a lil better.. LOL

I will keep everyone posted on any help I get from all my endeavors to cure as I go thru the suffering. one day at a time.. get well soon everyone
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