HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

So scared of having esophageal cancer, can't function

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/5/2016 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, my name is Betty, ( joined this forum yesterday) I just turned 50 years old, diagnosed with GERDS some 25 years ago, been on and off PPI (prilosec) mostly off, have eaten enough tums in my life to fill a football stadium. about a year ago I was put on 20 mg of prilosec, then 40 mg 7 mths ago, it was working fine, last week all heck broke loose in my gut! throat fills huge, some burning in my chest, abdominal pain and some regurgitation. I don't understand why this happened so suddenly while on medication. I also have panic disorder, not sure how much this is making things worse, probably is. Went to see my doc yesterday, and she is scheduling me for the scope, and upped my meds to 80 mg, I am beyond petrified that this is cancer, I can't think straight and am taking some time off work to try to calm down. I have been reading here for along time, everyone seems so nice and understanding, and I could use some of that right now, I know I won't know for sure until I have the test, but, any calming words would be greatly appreciated. Thanks confused
Posted 5/5/2016 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
You've taken the right steps to combat your issues - you've gotten in touch with your doctor, you've been put on an increased dose of medication and you're going to have a scope. That's really all you can do.

Do you have a therapist, or are you getting any treatment for your panic disorder? I've struggled with anxiety as well and going through medical procedures or dealing with medical problems with mental illness can be very difficult.
Posted 5/5/2016 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your reply Bella, I do appreciate it, I have been on 25 mg of zoloft for about 15 years and it works very well most of the time, but this situation has all my alarms going off
Posted 5/5/2016 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
In situations similar to yours I try to tell myself that my anxiety is a symptom of my mental illness and not really in proportion to the possible "danger" I may or may not be facing. It helps me to consider my over the top anxiety as just another symptom, and not something I have to pay any particular attention to. Instead of latching on to the fear, I just think "oh, look at that, I have anxiety, how annoying". Rather than convincing myself that my anxious thoughts are correct and I'm actually sick/dying/going to fail/going to do something embarrassing/whatever I'm anxious about.
Posted 5/5/2016 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
You are so right, very well put, thank you. I am so so bad to let the anxiety get the best of me, and I need to learn from the words you just said, it helps so much to finally talk to somebody who knows exactly how I feel. :)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply