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GERD GASTIRITS and PANIC ATTACKS

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Posted 12/21/2011 6:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all
I had a panic attack last month while working late in office.
I rushed through to ICU they did my ECG stress test 2D echo all came normal.

I did an endoscopy for gas related problem and was diagnosed with GERD GASTRITIS.

I have been smoking for last 3 yrs (less than 10 a day) occasional beer drinker,
gave up smoking after the episode (one month) now.

I am having panic attacks on a regular basis now , in anxiety situations mostly,
heart racing light headness and nausea.

Should I consult a physiologist or a neurologist?
Is GERD in anyway related to panic attacks?

Thanks
Akhi
Posted 12/21/2011 10:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Akhi

Good to meet you and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear you are having panic attacks they can be hard to deal with there is a forum here for GERD so maybe they can advise on that. Good to here you have given up smoking.

If your anxiety and panic attacks are becoming more of a problem for you then yes it is time to go and speak with your doctor. They will be able to put you in touch with a phycologist and there are lots of ways to help reduce your anxiety CBT is a type of talking therapy which works well for anxiety. There are also a number of medication which can help with panic disorder if you decide to go down that route.

Keep posting to let us know how you get on we are here to support you and I am sure some other members will be along soon. Take Care

Hibee
Posted 12/21/2011 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Hibee for your prompt reply.

I have an appt with the doctor tmrw.

Will post the progress.

Akhi
Posted 12/21/2011 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HealingWell and I am glad you found us. You will find the members here to be wise and caring so please do make yourself at home.

Couple of thoughts, giving up smoking can cause your anxiety to go up and yes GERD has an anxiety component much as most of the disorders. It is hard not to feel anxious when you are dealing with a medical disorder so know you are in good company here and also over in the GERD forum if you have not visited that forum yet.

I would start with a visit to your family Dr. to discuss your symptoms and from there if it is anxiety then therapy is a wonderful way to learn to deal with anxiety. Hibee mentioned CBT which is well known for helping people with anxiety and depression.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts
cause our feelings and behaviors, not external things, like people, situations, and events. The benefit of this fact is that we can change the way we think to feel / act better even if the situation does not change.

I hope you keep on talking with us as we are all one big family here and we know where your coming from.
Kindly,
Kitt
Posted 12/21/2011 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks KIT for the warm welcome and detailed reply .

I feel like I have noone to share my symptoms with in person and I feel quite relieved to have found this
community.

I will definitely take up CBT with my doctor tmrw.

I did post a question in GERD community (slightly different one related to Kidney stone :) )

Yep you heard me right I have panic disorder , GERD and a kidney stone (though its small 6mm)


Thanks
Akhi
(Male 25)
Posted 12/21/2011 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Ouch, no kidney stone feels small! I have never had one, but used to have chronic UTI's which are pretty painful as well, and used to cause my anxiety to skyrocket.

CBT is great in helping with panic attacks. I used to suffer them daily, and after treatment, am now free of them. I still have to manage my anxiety, but it is like night and day, compared to what I used to go through.

It will also help you with how you deal with your health related issues. Many people with chronic illnesses struggle with anxiety as Kitt said, but there is help available, so be hopeful!:)

I am glad that you have found us, and are feeling good about being in a community with those who understand your troubles...it does help!

Keep posting and be well,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/22/2011 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Akhi, I suffer from GERD and Gastritis along with GAD, Panic Disorder, and depression. It is very common for people with anxiety/panic disorders to suffer from both conditions. Here's why......

During periods of anxiety the body diverts blood from various parts of the body to the muscle tissues in order to supply them with the oxygen needed by them during the flight or fight response. One of the main areas where blood is used most is around the digestive tract. Blood is sent there to absorb nutrients from the food we eat. As blood is diverted away from the stomach during anxiety, the digestion slows and the muscles around the stomach can become knotted. This can cause indigestion, heartburn and diarrhea or constipation.

Hope this helps you some....Fox
Posted 12/22/2011 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Fox

It does help as I have realized that whenever I am panicking I get a lot a of burps and then the panic
subsides.

I think to reduce GERD along with the medication I have to control my panic symptoms.

I think I have to keep telling my brain that everything is ok don't reroute the blood :).

Akhi
Posted 12/22/2011 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All

Updating everyone about my doc visit.

Well he was an ayurvedic(Traditional Indian medicine system) doctor and he has prescribed me
"Medhavati" some ayurvedic medicine to relieve stress.

Along with that two different breathing exercises have been recommended .
1) Pranayama
2)Anulom Vilom Pranayam

I hope it helps

Akhi
Posted 12/22/2011 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with GERD months ago and had panic attack too. My Doc gave me SSRI anti-depressant lexapro, so far my GERD is under control.
Posted 12/22/2011 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Looks like GERD and panic attacks are definitely related.

As per Fox Panic can cause GERD coz of less blood flow to stomach.

Can it be the other-way round?

Can heartburn caused by GERD trigger panic attack?

I believe that the later happened to me.
Posted 12/22/2011 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Actually yes Ahki, it can. I used to get such burning in the upper part of my stomach that it would actually make me have palpitations. It somehow affects the vagus nerve, which can cause palpitations, and in turn cause a panic attack because it is one of the primary symptoms. So both theories are correct. One can cause the other, whether it's GERD first, or Panic Disorder first. smilewinkgrin   Take care, Fox
Posted 12/23/2011 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Fox

Now I am having some new symptons.

I am feeling lightheaded almost always

Also I am getting blurred vision (always)

Today morning I went for CBC(complete blood count ) and Lipid test.

Lets see .


Can blurred vision and lightheadness anxiety related?
Posted 12/23/2011 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Since you have started getting all the proper testing done, I would be inclined to say that it's from your anxiety acting up. Lightheadedness and visual disturbances are both symptoms of anxiety, but i'd wait to see what the doc says about your blood work. You can never be too careful, so I always recommend getting a full exam to make sure it's not something else causing the symptoms. ((hugs)) Fox
Posted 12/23/2011 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Fox
The bloodwork came ok.

All the parameters were except Hemoglobin which was normal but at the lower end 14 (normal is 13.5 to 17)

I am bit relaxed to hear that lightheadness is caused by anxiety.
Posted 9/2/2014 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi myself Nilesh
From few day i am suffering from panic attack it started when i took machine coffee after taking machine coffee its started shrotness to breath and after that day my panic attack started
And also shortness to breath whike eating food
And now i am taking treament from psychatrist
So can anybody explain me what exactly it is(its acidity or panic attack)

My age 24 :-)
Posted 9/2/2014 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nilesh and welcome.

It is hard to say, whether your panic was something that just happened spontaneously...or whether it was the caffeine, or the stomach issue.

There are plenty of what we call 'triggers'...things that set anxiety off...

...but for someone who is predisposed to having anxiety, it is just that, a trigger...not really a root cause.

It is good to be checked out physically by a doctor of course, but if all it well...

...then it is good to proceed, as you have, to get help from a professional.

You will benefit from this surely.:)

Post with us anytime. We support and understand each other here!

Take a look in our Resources (main page, 1st thread) for information and self-help ideas.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat
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