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Losing my mind. HELP!!!!

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/9/2010 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I'm posting here because I am losing my mind with worry here over symptoms that may or may not be GERD related. I have been to my doctor who has sent me to see an ENT guy. that appointment isn't for a week and I'm flipping out here thinking I have developed cancer. I have never suffered from relux as far as I can remember but have felt on and off for the last year or so that I have a lump in the back of my throat (sometimes there sometimes not) with a metallic taste in my mouth that comes and goes too. I started to worry about this so I went to my GP who says I probably have GERD. He gave me nexium to take that has seemingly not helped much at all. During the week after I saw him, I developed a pain on the left side of my throat that increases and decreases in intensity but seems to always be there. It is like a burning sort of ache that is spreading into my left ear. On two occaisions I have spat up a little blood in the evening. It's not a lot but enough to tinge my spit. The metallic taste is still in my mouth throughout the day and seems to be stronger at night. My teeth are now hurting on and off too and I am experiencing some numbness/tingling in my left hand which also comes and goes. All this has appeared in the last week. I have freaked myself out searching around for symptoms etc etc. I have an axiety disorder and this stuff has kicked it into overdrive. I'm not sleeping well, I can't focus at work. Has anyone had similar symtoms to the ones I describe? I feel quite alone right now and have no family close by to confide in. Any feedback would appreciated.

Thanks in advance.........

Posted 9/9/2010 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi NIN,
Your symptoms are certainly worth getting checked out and you're doing that. Let the doctors do their work and try to relax. Tensing up and getting stressed will really only make the symptoms worse. Stick with the nexium to keep the symptoms down, it's possible that your symptoms are simply acid damage related and the nexium will calm them over time.
Posted 9/9/2010 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi NIN,
Welcome to Healing Well! You're in the right place. You can, indeed, have reflux without being aware of it. It's called "Silent GERD", and it can cause as many problems and the run of the mill heartburn-causing variety.

Try not to panic. Many people have reflux for years and years without getting cancer, so don't assume the worst.

Do find a good GI doc to do a workup on what's going on. No sense in worrying. Get right to the source. Until you can get in to see a GI doc (they sometimes take a while), then see if you can get into your PCP for some advice and help. Maybe some meds are in order.

Again, don't assume the worst.
Try to relax and not worry.
Glad you've joined us.
Denise
Posted 9/9/2010 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there. I just want to reassure you on the cancer subject, being a close friend of the lump in throat syndrome. Cancerous throat lumps, even in the earliest stages, never come and go, and can generally be felt from the outside on the neck. dencha is right, many people with silent reflux don't experience heartburn or acid reflux, just weird niggley ENT symptoms. Your case sounds very much like mine, I was flipping out this time last year. My symptoms are not much better, but a lot of time and tests have now passed, and I am getting better at coping, knowing it isn't a tumour or anything sinister like that. The tooth pain I can also relate to. Reflux can erode the tooth enamel, so get to a dentist and have that looked at.

I also have the left sided throat and ear pain, and the metallic taste. If it is worse at night, then GERD is very likely. Don't worry, see what the ENT has to say but be aware that ENTs aren't experts on GERD, and a GI doc is what you need.

Take care, keep us posted

Liz x
Posted 9/9/2010 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
NIN888

Welcome to HealingWell.  I am sorry you are going through this tough time.  I suspect you are getting stuck with  anticipatory anxiety. 

Anticipatory anxiety is where a person experiences increased levels of anxiety by thinking about an event or situation in the future. The worries you experience specifically focus on what you think might happen, often with catastrophic predictions about the event.

To begin treating anticipatory anxiety, we must be able to admit that we cannot predict the future. Any scenario we are able to imagine is nothing more than speculation and fabrication.

I have "freaked out"  over many things  only to find out everything was fine.  Try to stay in the moment and continue to advocate for yourself by following up with your Dr. and seeing the GI specialist.  You have received great advice from our members so stick with us and know we care.

Kindly,

Kitt
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