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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 6/20/2009 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
This burning is driving me nuts! I never had heartburn until about two weeks ago, but I think I have had GERD for quite sometime when I would experience what I thought was the stomach flu (nausea and mild sore throat) several times a year.
about a week ago I developed a severe sore throat, heartburn and a white rash on my tongue and cheeks. My doctor put me on Protonix 40mg twice a day. It does seem to be helping but my anxiety is going through the roof. Now I can sleep through the night but my reflux is worse during the day because just thinking about it makes it worse. My doctor promised me that it would get better but I just have to ride it out! In the meantime I feel so anxious and depressed. I am prone to anxiety and depression to begin with and I do think that the protonix is making me more anxious but there is no way I'm going to stop taking it because it is working. Today I'm just having a bad day. I've been on the 'net' reading about everyone's horror stories.
On a side note, I also suffer from migraines and was poppoing NSAIDs like candy. My doctor said that the NSAIDs along with anxiety sparked this recent flare-up. I'm just so depressed right now and need some words of encouragement to know that this will not last forever!!!
My doctor gave me Klonopin to help sleep but I actually don't need it as the Protonix seems to be working at night. I'm beginning to wonder if I should take a small dose during the day instead to ward off the anxiety.
Posted 6/20/2009 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Emkay,
You're not alone having anxiety and GERD. Lots of people have posted and anxiety was a big part of their problem. It is a common combination, and is definitely a challenge. I'm sure that getting your anxiety under control will help your GERD symptoms. I have also taken Protonix (40mg twice a day), and have not had any negative side effects from it.

The Protonix will take a couple of weeks to get to its full effectiveness, so you have to be patient. If you can relax and realize that with time, you will heal and be back on the road to recovery. You're under the care of a doctor, who from the sound of it, has a good understanding of what you're dealing with, and how to treat it.

I'm glad you've joined us. There are lots of people here on the forum who have suffered from anxiety as they struggle with GERD symptoms. You WILL get better, Emkay.
I'm sure some other forum members will join me in trying to help you with your problem.
Feel better!
Denise
Posted 6/20/2009 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if you've done this already, but I used the site search engine in the upper right hand corner, and searched for "Anxiety and Gerd", and got a page with lots of posts:
Check it out!
https://www.healingwell.com/sitesearch.aspx?cx=010904608862850737972%3Abe-6h9dblc4&q=anxiety+and+gerd&sa.x=0&sa.y=0&sa=Search&cof=FORID%3A9#945

Hope you find some answers there.
Take care,
Denise
Posted 6/20/2009 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Denise,
Thanks for your kind words. I just get myself so freaked out. I feel that I have no one to turn to. I have a good friend who has been there for me. When I'm having a bad day, I call her up and we go for a walk. Mostly I cry and she talks! I can't believe how this condition has turned my life upside down in just a few weeks. Three weeks ago, I could eat whatever I wanted, now anything spicy or salty burns my throat right down to my stomach.
I don't know if you have had this experience but the protonix is making my stomach and chest feel better, but my throat still burns sometimes? That is weird! At least I can sleep. A week ago I was hardly able to sleep due to the burning!
Hopefully, weeks down the road I will be the "well one" offering support to those in need!
Em
Posted 6/21/2009 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
I experienced anxiety for the first time in February....not fun. I got myself so crazy with it that it started affecting my stomach. I wasnt eating from nausea. The gastro put me on Librax...it was a miracle...its an anti spasm and anti anxiety in one! It does make me sleepy so now i only take it before bed. Now, 4 months later i was diagnosed with Hiatal hernia and acid reflux. Started to take Nexium...and still on the Librax...starting to feel a little better with no anxiety :)
Nicole
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