HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

GERD / Gastritis - Please help!

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/6/2018 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Thank you for sharing this safe space with me. I am a 31 year old woman, and I am otherwise healthy. I have been having a great deal of anxiety, because I am having an endoscopy with sedation next week. I am terrified of the procedure itself and of the results.

Doctors assume it's either GERD or gastritis, but I have suffered from these issues for years. I have been taking a PPI & H2 Blocker, and although it provides some relief - it isn't enough. I have changed my diet, and although it's helped some; again, I'm still struggling.

My primary symptoms are: lump in the throat sensation (feels like something is lodged in my throat or esophagus - so scary), sore throat, hoarseness, post nasal drip (feels like phlegm is stuck in the back of my throat), indigestion, upper abdominal burning, esophageal burning, constant burping & hiccups.

Can anyone relate to the above mentioned symptoms? I am to the point of emotional exhaustion and have been worrying myself sick. I have health anxiety, but this is the first time it's felt so real, because I have legitimately been suffering from stomach issues for many years.

Any help that can be provided would be highly appreciated. Thank you all for taking the time to read.

~ Oli
Posted 9/6/2018 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
Oli:

The first thing you need to take a deep breath, and relax. As you already know, anxiety/stress can cause/make your symptoms seem worse. The endoscopy is a simple procedure, and it will be over before you know it. I know that you suffer from health anxiety, but this test will enable the doctor to see what is going on, and take biopsies if necessary. There are a lot of different PPIs, and if one doesn't work - try another. You can also try keeping a food diary to see if you can pinpoint your trigger foods and you already said you've modified your diet (that's good), but you really have to be strict with it. Losing weight (even if it's a few pounds), and exercise do help a lot. Even if you increase the amount that you are walking every day. I suffered from gastritis, GERD, and a hernia, and also developed asthma and lung issues. I never had the lump, sore throat, hoarseness, the burping, hiccups, or post nasal drip, but everyone is different. Mine was basically stomach pain, burning of the throat, nausea and the need for inhalers. I suffered most of my adult life with horrible symptoms, and finally had surgery at age 54.

Sharon
Posted 9/6/2018 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Oli, I'm 26 years old and I have the same exact symptoms that you have with the addition of a chronic cough for the last 4 months. I was diagnosed with GERD at age 18 and it seems to have only gotten worse because I didn't take care of it. I have been on PPI's for 4 months, have changed my diet, and have lost 40lbs, and I have noticed on slight symptom improvement. I am scheduled for an endoscopy next month.

I've had an endoscopy 8 years ago when I was first diagnosed and it is a very simple and painless procedure, with minor discomfort, so you shouldn't be afraid of it. As for worrying about your results, I can relate with you there, but you should also realize that we are both relatively young so the numbers are on our side regarding your fears of what might be there. Do your best to find ways to relax, because worrying makes the symptoms worse. I like to go on short walks around my neighborhood, that usually clears up my anxiety really quickly. So does taking cold showers. Meditation has helped me out lately as well.

In terms of diet, I've been going through several phases of trial and error the last couple of months to figure out what's going on. It's a long process, but please don't give up hope. Eventually you'll find a diet and routine that works for you.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply