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GERD & Anxiety Disorder

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 4/22/2014 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hello! I'm currently 13 years old, and I have GERD/anxiety disorder for three months. I'm starting to have heartburn/GERD symptoms and chest pain on my right side..(pain under my right rib, travels to arm/chest/back..etc.) Whenever I lay down, and breathe in and out, my right side/chest feels kind of heavy. I don't have trouble breathing, but it just feels heavy. I'm not sure if it has anything to do with my: liver, gallbladder, or if it's just gas.. I'm starting to worry a lot about this too.

about a two months ago, I had a blood test and a ultrasound (to check my liver), and they all came back fine. All of my symptoms occurred for two weeks already, and it's been making me worried. With my anxiety disorder.. I keep thinking that I have a problem with my heart, or if there's something wrong with me.. 

GERD/anxiety disorder has been a complete pain for me, and this keeps making me depressed. I can't stop worrying about it, and I was wondering if anyone out there is also facing the same exact pain as I am.. Can somebody please help me out?

Thank you,

Jasmine

Posted 4/22/2014 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hey and welcome, Jasmine.

Have you had your heart checked out? I thought I was having heart issues, but after some testing, I found it was GERD and some other things associated with it.

I know what anxiety is like with this and how you feel. I might recommend trying to do something you enjoy that might help you forget about it, even if for a few minutes.

Ultimately, you may want to check with your general practitioner for recommendations.
Posted 4/22/2014 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hey 1039,

Thanks! Yes, a few months ago I had my heart checked out multiple times with a EKG and a few blood tests since I mistaken heartburn/GERD for a heart problem too. It's just that GERD continues to make my life a lot more difficult because I continue to worry if this is normal. I'll also try and do something that I enjoy. :)
Posted 4/22/2014 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Are you on a PPI or anything like that to help with your GERD? Some things you can to do help with that are refrain from bending over or laying down 2-3 hours after eating and elevate the head of your bed when you sleep. You might also want to monitor your diet to see if anything particular triggers your symptoms.

Okay, so there's no heart problem? That's good! You could possibly have a hiatal hernia which is making you feel poorly. Proper testing is the only thing that can really diagnose it.

I know all about the anxiety. Your mind can create things that aren't there. I'm not saying dismiss what is going on with you, but do like I said, and have a little fun. Being here helping others actually helps me, too. You can help others, spend time with your friends, and so forth.
Posted 4/23/2014 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I'm on Zantac right now. Thanks, I'll see if changing my diet would work too.

I've also been thinking that I have hiatal hernia, but should I check with a doctor right away? I'm not sure if it's too serious because it's been going on for two weeks already.

Okay, thank you so much!! I thought I was the only one with GERD and anxiety! I really can't tell you how much you've helped me!
Posted 4/23/2014 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Common triggers for reflux are chocolate (that's the tough one), tomatoes, citrus fruits, peppermint...

If something worries you, it might be worth checking out. Peace of mind can go a long way and could relieve some of your anxiety. I'm not comfortable with advising you one way or another. Unfortunately, hiatal hernias don't discriminate with age. My best friend's two-year-old has one. It's crazy. I find causes to be unknown. However, if you do have the reflux, just do the stuff I told you before and limit the aforementioned foods.

And no, you're in good company. I'm having a barium swallow tomorrow to see what's up with me. Anxious is an understatement. I'm not sure my surgery to repair the hernia/GERD went so well. I guess we'll see.

Keep your chin up. Don't take anything I'm saying as medical advice. Like I said, if anything concerns you, you can always go to the doctor. :)

I'm glad to help and am glad you found me helpful.
Posted 4/23/2014 8:33 AM (GMT 0)
Ive had gerd and anxiety too pretty bad in the past. It started with my heart which was constantly racing and having palpitations, I was incredibly anxious about it and just couldnt stop thinking about it. It then started affecting my sleep and i started obsessing about sleep, which is where I really went downhill as i was no longer able to sleep because i was worried i wouldnt, had to start taking sleeping pills. So i can say ive pretty much been there and through the worst of it when it comes to anxiety! It took me a long time to figure out it was gerd causing the heart to do funny things, and finally put the anxiety behind me, but I did manage it and my anxiety is behind me, so you will get better too.

Its hard but you will get past it. One thing I found very helpful was autogenics, which is a type of relaxation. I did this 3-4 times a day and noticed the improvement immediately, both in terms of anxiety but also gerd and general wellbeing. I was also put on anti depressents which act as anti anxiety, you should consider it because they are relatively safe to be on even long term and I do think they helped.

Remember youve been through all the tests and your organs are fine. Gerd causes some wierd symptoms, ranging from heart palpitations to chest pains, even light headedness, feeling of constricted throat. Youre lucky you have the diagnosis early, now you can focus on getting the anxiety under control. I did Cognitive behaviour Therapy as well and its worth a try, it teaches you things like worry times, and how to put worries aside until specific times of the day.
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