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anxiety and gerd please help

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Posted 8/22/2012 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone
I'm really new to this forum also anxiety and gerd..
i am a 20 year old male and i was diagnosed with anxiety on June 5th 2012.ever since then i have been living through hell.i have gone to the e.r and so many different doctors appointments about 16 times in the past 2 months
I have experienced so many symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, left arm pain, dizziness, headaches, feeling like throwing up after meals, loss of balance, etc
I had 2 ekg's
blood work at least 3 or 4 times
Stool tests
Chest x ray
Neck x ray
Thyroid exam
And nothing.a few Weeks after i was told i have anxiety they said i have gerd.which also freaks me out and idk why.i keep thinking that i'm dying or i have cancer.can someone please help me.I've cried plenty of times.i'm really scared.
Please please help.
Posted 8/22/2012 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Petey and welcome!

I am so sorry to hear of your recent struggles with anxiety and stomach issues.:( They do tend to go together for a lot of people...so know that you are not alone.

The paradox is...when you are anxious, you tend to get physically symptomatic, which leads to more anxiety...which brings more symptoms...and on and on in a vicious cycle!

Therefore it is important that you focus on getting help for the anxiety. You can do this by talking to your doctor at your next appointment. You can discuss treatment options such as therapy for stress management and possibly medication.

In the meantime, we have some GREAT self-help ideas in our Anxiety/Panic Resources (main page 1st post) The links that teach the breathing and relaxation exercises will be especially good for you to get started with.:) They can significantly bring down anxiety levels when practiced daily!

Keep posting here with us as well. It is really helpful to talk to others who understand what you are going through. (we have a great group of people in the GERD forum as well!)

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 8/22/2012 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

You have come to the right place we can all relate to what you are going through so your not alone. I agree with SC a trip to the doctors to discuss treatment options for your anxiety in my experience medication and therapy have worked well for me.

Keep posting we are here to listen and offer support when we can take care of yourself.

Hibee
Posted 8/22/2012 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I actually have am appointment with my therapist tomorrow.today i'm just really freaked out.i was at the e.r.on Saturday and on Monday.the doctor on Saturday told me to stay away from emoprazole.but on Monday i was prescribed omeprazole by another doctor.now i'm just scared.i don't know what to take to help my gerd..i have zantac.does that help?
What freaks me out the most is these sharp pains i get on my upper abdomen.they come and go they're not that major but they put fear in me.i thought it was my pancreas or gall bladder but the Dr said that its fine and my blood results showed that its ok. I did read some gerd forums but i can't read any where that someone describes the same feeling i get.:(
Posted 8/22/2012 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot to add that since yesterday after i eat i also feel like throwing up.not exactly right after.but the feeling comes up.
Posted 8/22/2012 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad that you have an appointment with a therapist! That is great that you are going to get started on learning how to manage your anxiety...this should also help with your stomach issues to some degree.

I have heard good things about Zantac...but I can't really say what you should do regarding your medication, as it is always best to follow your doctor's advice. Of course when you have two doctors giving you conflicting advice, then that makes it hard to decide what to do!

High levels of acid, combined with anxiety will almost certainly explain your nausea. Try eating small, easy to digest meals throughout the day. This should help prevent/relieve feeling sick. If you really feel like you can't get anything down, a meal replacement drink such as Ensure is a good idea...lots of calories and nutrients and easy on the stomach.

Also use those relaxation and breathing techniques...they really will help.:)

Let us know how you are doing soon, and how your therapy appointment goes.:)

S.C.
Posted 8/22/2012 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
I'm actually going to call the doctor today and speak with him.i will try smaller meals.
Also i want to say thank you for replying to my posts.i tried other sites and nothing.i really do appreciate the help.
I well let you know how i'm doing.
Posted 8/22/2012 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Petey,

what you are describing is most likely caused by GERD - when acid floats back up from the stomach, it will give you chest pains, shortness of breath, pressure and pain in the upper abdomen. I have been dealing with stomach issues and anxiety for long time and I am only 33. Emoprazole should help with those issues but you will need to take it for a while - maybe you have gastritis (irritation of the esophagus) and it needs to heal. I would ask your gastro doctor for endoscopy so they can go in and check how everything looks. And also, you should start treating your anxiety because if you don't, no matter what you do you will always think something wrong with you etc. I am myself dealing with Anxiety and panic attacks right now - going to see the doctor next week. I used to get them in the past and Paxil and low dose of Clonozepam always helped me. Good luck and hang in there.
Posted 8/22/2012 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Rager

Thanks for your reply.i did have gastritis when i was 16.i was taking zantac which helped with the stomach Burns.after a while i never felt one burn what so ever.now that they told me i have gerd i feel like if it's something worse.maybe this could be my anxiety making me over think since i have never in my life felt anything like this.i have never spoken to a gastro doctor.how can i communicate with one?
I'm glad to know that i'm not alone as well.
Appreciate the reply.
Posted 8/22/2012 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Also the other reason i'm afraid of taking emoprazole is because my Dr said that in my blood work my percentage of my liver cane out just a little but above normal.i don't know what he said exactly.and i read something about emoprazole affecting the liver.as you can see i freak out a lot.for now i'm just going to take zantac until i can actually speak to a physician.
Posted 8/22/2012 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Petey, you can take any antiacids really - you will most likely need to see what works for you. I used to take Nexium for long time because it didn't give me any side effects - but I know other people who took Nexium and couldn't function. I think you need to address the anxiety problem first -they may be causing your stomach pains.
Posted 8/22/2012 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah i know my therapist will help me out a lot tomorrow.thank you for your help.i will try emoprazole again if zantac does not help.
Posted 8/22/2012 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
If you need anything else, just ask. If the therapist doesn't help fully, you may want to look into anxiety meds - maybe just very low dose to see if it helps but talk to your therapist first.
Posted 8/22/2012 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with gad and panic attacks 14 years ago and shortly after had to go on a proton pump inhibitor...still on one..but have to take 2 tums before bed still. I think these two often run hand in hand, unfortunately.
Posted 8/23/2012 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
So what symptoms should i be expecting from gerd?
The only thing i feel is a sharp feeling in my upper abdominal.
Posted 8/23/2012 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Petey
Are you taking meds for.anxiety/dep. You really need something. I had many of the same issues until i started taking 20meds mg of paxil each


day
Posted 8/23/2012 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes i have lorazepam.it's a 0.5Mg dose.i don't really take them.
Posted 8/23/2012 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Petey,

Let us know how your appointment goes, if you feel comfortable sharing.

I hope that you really like, and connect with your therapist!

Good luck!!!

S.C.
Posted 8/23/2012 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Ok... I completely feel at home here!!! OMG I'm 33 years old and I have anxiety, Gerd, IBS, possibly celiac as the docs say, lactose intolerant, and a sis on my ovaries?? I'm reading the feedback and I had no idea that so many of these conditions are diagnosed hand to hand like this? I thought I was the only "young sufferer" out there! smh...I've been having palps for the last 3 days I know it had to have been something I ate but I only ate what I had in the house! My problem is a financial one in addition to the conditions because the "good food" isn't cheap lets be real... and the healthier food I'm able to buy will last for 2 wks then its over! Don't get me wrong I've never been symptoms free I was diagnosed at 30 and its like I can count on being sicker when I have to eat the bad food. Now I have no insurance so I can't be so quick to run to the ER so blogs and forums such as this one is most times it for me. Prilosec OTC is 1 pill for 24 hours thats what I take now and this has been a life saver of sorts but some days I still have to drink pepto :-( My family is not supportive ---for a long time I was said to be lazy and depressed just b/c I wasn't able to travel or go outside or partake in family functions like I once did. I thought I was crazy and debilitating slowly but surely all this time! I bend over I lose balance, I run up the stairs the palps start and I'm dizzy, the constant regurgitating and diarrhea causes me to have no energy/complete fatigue! Oh by the way I have a 3 year old son that can careless about any of this -lol (but not really funny )...soRRY for the rant I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't have much advise but it helps to know ur not alone! idea
Posted 8/23/2012 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
I just got out of therapy and it went pretty well.i was told that i am not the only patient she has with anxiety and GERD so that's a relief.i am going to join a phobia/anxiety/dep group once a week for 8 Weeks i hope this helps a lot.i didn't receive any medication besides buying some zantac.i'm still kinda scared of taking emoprazole because of the little percentage my doctor said was above normal but it's nothing to worry about.i kinda do blame the emoprazole but at the same time there was times where i was taking the medication and will have a couple of beers or smoke.i'm actually going to stay sober from now on.
Posted 8/23/2012 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
That is great that you had a good session...and I am really glad to hear that you are going to be doing group as well, fantastic! Keep up the good work in your recovery!:)

In regards to your emoprazole and the little percentage above normal that you mentioned...is that a liver enzyme that you are referring to? If so, then I would definitely stick with the decision not to consume alcohol for now.

Thanks for the update, and keep posting.:)

S.C.
Posted 8/23/2012 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
To be honest i don't know if it's my enzymes
I just remember the doctor saying a lot of people have it above normal, it can happen for no reason at all but most importantly he said not to worry about it.
Posted 8/23/2012 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
I have a liver number on my yearly blood test that is slightly above 'average' and I don't use medication...and I consume at the most 3 drinks a week...so you are right, it' nothing to worry about.:)

S.C.
Posted 8/24/2012 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah i think that's exactly what he said "above average"
Anyway thanks for the help and support.

also, if anyone with GERD can please describe to me what they have felt physically?
i keep thinking i'm the only one with this sharp pain in my upper abdomen and sometimes in the left side. I don't really let it get to me though.

Post Edited (Petey91) : 8/23/2012 8:55:11 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/24/2012 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
:(
This morning i wake up and notice a time yellow spot on my right arm where my bicep is at.no bigger than a penny and i am so worried and concerned.i really want to go to the e.r but i'm tired of going in and out of there and they tell me i'm fine.this is embarrassing for me to write.i feel like i'm bugging.i'm scared that i don't have gerd or anxiety that it's something else.ugh.i'm trying to relax but it's kind hard and i want to talk to my dad about it but his only response is always you're ok, that's nothing.
Someone please help me relax.
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