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anyone here with first hand experience with GERD and Anxiety caused by it?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 5/10/2009 9:37 PM (GMT 0)

Hello all,

Two months back i had a chest pain. For the following 2 weeks i worked with Cardiologist to rule out heart problem. Later i met GI and was told it is possibly GAS. Eventually i did endoscopy and was diagonised with minimal imflammation due to Acid Reflux and Short Segment (less than 1 cm) Barrets Esophagus. I have never had heartburn.

I am settled with GERD, i am taking one prylosec every morning and made lfestyle changes. However, i have somehow caught on anxiety (i think due to initial 2 weeks before hearet disease was ruled out). Although i thought my Anxiety is getting better, but past two weeks have again been pretty bad with anything from left arm weakness, heartbeat, headache and sometimes just feeling scared.

All this is making me very weak and i have lost more than 12 pounds in less than 2 months.

My PCP is offering me PAXIL and says there is no big deal about it. I have also started talking to Therapist. I have no stress other than this sickness to cause me anxiety.

So, anyone else has experience Anxiety due to GERD? If yes, did you have to take medications? Are those medications permanent? Or can this Anxiety go away slowly...

thankyou so much for replying.

Posted 5/11/2009 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there. I am suffering from GERD and I feel it is the main cause for depression developing in me the last year. I am not currently taking any medicine for depression/anxiety but I am thinking about talking to my doctor about it. My only advice would be to tell your doctor exactly how you feel and try to relax as much as possible. I am struggling badly right now but I am trying my best to get past GERD and depression.

I hope you get better as well.
Posted 5/11/2009 9:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hello I suffer to with gerd a herina and ulcers...I get so depressed at times...Its like it has ruled my life...I take nextum and carafate...Now also on lorazapam for the aniexty...I only take this when needed..its a very mild dose but it does help with the aniexty..Im Not a Dr but I think its very normal to have the aniexty with this...Please try to relax as much as you can.. Hope your feeling well soon..
Posted 5/11/2009 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
I wanted to let you know that in my opinion and knowing firsthanf about my own Gerd history

 that indeed anxiety is part of the package for some of us. I get pain in the oddest places and if it is in my upper body area it is my Gerd acting up. I recently went to the Er with chest paina nd after ruling out heart and lung problems I thought for sure they would tell me it was my acid reflux, but no, this time it was chest wall inflamation from shoveling heavy snow at work. I had been having trouble breathing at home and it scared me. The tale of this story is that even though I thought it was going to be acid reflux it wasn't but I have in the past had episodes so severe that I thought I was having a heart attack and it does cause anxiety for sure!

Please know that you arenot alone in this and that stress does come with the territory.

I know that that trip to the Er was because I felt different , the pain was different. That is how I get thru the stress of acid reflux.....take meds, lose weight and exercise and when it kicks in I breathe thru it and until it feels really different or the pain is unbearable I just ride it out.

It sure messes with my life but I have had to overcome my fears so I can enjoy life too.

I am not a candidate for the surgery  and have resigned myself to that but I manage it quite well otherwise. I hope you feel better soon and come back her for support. I will pray for you today and talk to you soon.

Anne

Posted 5/11/2009 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thankyou all for kind words. I will stay in touch.
Posted 5/11/2009 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
dibba:

I am no doctor and you should consult your doctor but I believe.

The two go hand in hand although now thinking a bit back the Stress caused the GERD which then brought on the Anxiety. The reason I say this is because the stress is one cause for GERD which is quite common. We then rush to the the Doctor or ER with these chest pains that at the end results in

Heartburn. The Heartburn sets off a string of events a trip the the Gastrologist and endoscopy that in some cases finds nothing more than a mild case of Gastritis (as if mild was ok). Medication might be prescribed for the reflux that may or may not work. In the Meantime the stress of what can I eat and what cant I eat is building the Anxiety. This anxiety causes the stomach to act up even more and so now your in a circle and wondering how do I break this cycle. You say to your self I am dont feel stressed nor anxious about anything. Yet you are. Talking to a Therapist is a very good start because they can help you get off that bus and get your life back. But it takes time. Take a deep breath and relax your already taking steps to help yourself and thats great. This forum will offer you support and that is good. In the meantimge eat healthy,exercise and occupy your mind with something other than your stomach and believe me I know its hard. In my case learning to step back and finding time for myself has helped my stomach greatly. I have chosen the no medication route and herbal remedies.

Some have helped and some have not but in the process I have never eaten healthier in my entire

life.

Good Luck and keep us posted on whats going on.

LittlePeanut

Posted 5/15/2009 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dibber, Im sorry to hear you are having a few problems. I totally know what you are going through with the anxiety and I have been prompted by another forum member to help.

I cant help with the physical symptoms as Im no expert, but as for the anxiety I can well imagine how you are feeling. The feelings of losing control, going out of your mind with worry. In-fact the more you worry the worse the physical symptoms can be. The brain/gut response is very powerful!

I think most people get anxious when they have a medical condition, its a human response to things that are out of your control.
Try and keep yourself busy by throwing yourself into a project, like painting or drawing for example. The stress response is very primitive and you cant stay in this state for long. Have you been getting sweaty cold palms? Shaking? You WON'T always feel this way it does go eventually, you body will cope. You just need to break the cycle of anxiety. YES you will get good days and bad, we all do.

I find that keeping a diary helps, make a note how you are feeling and any possible triggers causing un-wanted symptoms.

Im not a psychologist or doctor, but when I was at my lowest I listened to what Charles Linden had to say..
I am going to post you a link to his videos, watch them and you will understand that you are NOT alone.

http://www.youtube.com/user/CharlesLinden

Good Luck
Jules
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