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Anxeity and Hiatal hernia/reflux

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Posted 2/18/2017 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,
I'm new here (and to health forums in general.) In October, I started with some minor stomach sensations that really made me anxious. After a zillion tests to rule out anything serious, I was diagnosed with a 1 cm hiatal hernia and mild gastritis in December. Since then my anxiety has been through the roof and my symptoms have doubled.
My question for you is: can anyone identify with this? I'm trying to figure out which came first, the anxiety or the stomach symptoms. I'm anxious about everything I eat, fearing it will cause the pain and pressure I feel below my sternum (not really heartburn, just a dull annoying ache.) I'm on omeprazole and am trying to eat well and eliminate some things that would cause a trigger. It's just so hard. I feel like I'm in a vicious cycle. And oddly, I feel my best after I have a glass of wine (because I'm relaxed--yes, I know this isn't good for stomach issues) or when I'm going to bed at night. I've had bloating issues in the past (I was successfully treated for H Pylori a year ago), but since all this has started, I feel like everything has shifted in to my chest.

Any positive/encouraging advice on how to overcome all of this would be appreciated. Thank you.
Posted 2/18/2017 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, welcome! You might want to also post on the anxiety board. I have similar issues, and that "which came first" question can drive you crazy. For me, many days I truly believe it was a heart arrhythmia problem in my early 20's, that is now resolved. However, that was roughly the season of when my anxiety started. However, I think I have an "anxious" disposition regardless.

Flash forward many years, and now I suffer legitimately from ongoing GERD (and a hiatal hernia), but it is definitely exacerbated by my ongoing anxiety. I personally like over the counter GERD stuff (Gaviscon is my current favorite), and I carry them with me and probably use them more as anxiety meds.

The wine I think is good. I also have knee problems, and find they feel great with a little wine, which reminds me that the anxiety about the knee problems (and other things) is probably worse than the actual knee problems (which are probably fairly typical for my age).

Anyway, welcome! If the anxiety component seems to dominate, I would focus on treating/dealing with that first. A little GERD is (really) not such a big deal (fingers crossed anyway).
Posted 2/18/2017 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Betsy12. I fall in to the anxious disposition category as well. It's good to finally hear someone say that it might not be such a big deal, because the internet tends to give you the worst case scenario. Will try posting on the anxiety boards too.
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