Please Help--I'm Desperate...

It is good to know that I'm not the only one who suffers from this. For about 3 years now I've suffered from what I suspect to be reflux induced chest pain, which results in (sometimes) severe anxiety attacks (i.e., the fear of having a heart attack). I'm 29 years old, and in fantastic physical shape, and I should not be having these problems. More frustrating, is that deep down I know I'm not really having a heart attack, but all that matters at the time is the chest pain, and inevitably the anxiety ensues.



I work at a busy law firm, and at times I have to lock myself in the bathroom for 20-30 minutes where I will take my shirt off, towel off the sweat, and just recite scripture and prayer (it typically works), but recently (and not happy about it), I've begun taking very low doses of generic Xanax.



I've really cut down on the amount of alcohol I drink (I hardly drink every, and then only a drink or two), however I drink a good bit of coffee, and I'm going to cut that out.



If anyone has any advice at all on how to conquer these problems please share. I feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes, and really, I don't want to live another 50 years the way I've lived the last 3. My poor girlfriend, who is the most understanding person in the world, simply doesn't get it at times, and can't figure out what my problem is. I don't blame her, if I were totally healthy, and someone else were experiencing this, I would think it was very odd. Any advice would be fantastic.



God Bless Everyone In Here,



Frank

Hello,
I would suggest some deep relaxation methods maybe a low impact yoga to help with the anxiety. Or just listening to some relaxation cd's in your car on the way to wrk in the morning. just a thought.

hey frank!

we are all here suffering with you - im also 29 and have been suffering with this GERD for the last 2 yrs - like yourself i was also prone to anxiety attacks - that however was 2 yrs before the GERD - it could def be related b/c when i get stressed out now i do feel the acid and the chest pain - i also take a good 15 min relax and re-group, currently im on nexium 2'xs a day - it was once a day until a couple months ago when i get sick 2'xs - i also suffer from vertigo

what i've done is see my reg Dr and a GI - as annoying as it can be you need to make sure that its nothing major - MRI endoscope ultrasound - as the process is going on whatch your diet for acid reflux you should be staying away from coffee, alcohol, peppers, onions, garlic, sausages, spicy and acidy foods, peppermint, honey, chocolate, milk

we are all different and can handle these foods in moderation - i would cut them out just to get your body balanced and then if you wanted to try them again do so - i stood away from them for 3months as i got used to nexium then i would treat myself to one of those items once a week - but you need to listen to your body and your dr- like i said we are all different

with my vertigo- i stay away from salt - per item my mlgrm intake is 50 or less - i also found out that : chocolate, bananas, grapes, alcohol, cheese, tomatoes, avocados all have a common natural preservative that trigger my vertigo - by staying away from these it has helped me cope with the vertigo on a daily basis and has helped me to loose 28lbs which has helped to get rid of my hiatal hernia which i had with my GERD

what i done as i was going thru both issues is kept a food journal - i wrote down what i ate and if something triggered the GERD or vertigo i would write next to that food item "trigger" or place a star next to it - also i would write down if there was any stress that happened that day how my body reacted to it - it may seem like a lot of work but it helps not only you but your dr's - buy doing that it gives them an insite on your daily activities and they will be able to make better judgement calls as to what test to run instead of going around in circles - (even tho it will seem like your running in circles - they wont have to run as many test)

i hope this helps - my husband doesn't get how a person who is only 29 can have these many medical difficulties - trust me i feel like im 80 - but you def not alone.

christine

Hi Frank,I know exactly whats going on with you cause I suffer from the same thing... my last attack was about 2 weeks ago and yes you are correct in saying that it does feel like a heart attack even though we know it's not.What I did to combat it is double my PPI intake of prevacid (2x40mg) Take them before meals.... I take one at 8 am and one 8 pm. I stay away from anything with tomato sauce... and high acidity. Hang in there it will pass but it takes a long time.Also go have a check up it will put your mind at ease.