Diagnosed? Freaking out :(

A letter just arrived for me the other day; it says that I have evidence of acid reflux.

Which means a lifetime of suffering to at least some degree.

With a somewhat-diagnosis of LPR from my recent larynx pH probe, I've been put onto... yes, MORE PPIs for reflux. This is the last thing I want in the world; I need a CURE not a mask! Put it this way. I want to run, eat, drink and sleep again like a NORMAL PERSON, and I can't go for my dream job in animal care like this because I can't bend/heavy lift/run around. I can't go a whole lifetime like this.

Despite the evidence saying I may have a chronic disease, and despite the horrible outlook, is there ANYTHING at all that says I might be free of this without medication/lifestyle changes? Is there anything that says the answer could still be 100% stress? I'm not strong enough for such changes, and it pains me to see people binging on junk foods who may never have such a horrid condition in their lifetime. I can't work, play, excercise, eat, drink or sleep like a normal person right now, my quality of life is stupidly low. I have to watch everything I do to avoid more suffering. IT'S NOT NATURAL!!!!

Right now I get:

- Excessive post nasal drip/sinus headaches
- Ear/Nose pain/pressure
- Nausea lying on right side and shortly after standing up.
- Constant burping
- Lump in throat after burping
- And worst of all, a horrible FOUL taste in my throat and nose, like a cross between baked beans and overipe melon.

The mucus makes it hard to swallow, and so far the PPIs/Gaviscon Advance/Alkaline Water/Diet changes don't help. So... I'm 22. Assuming I somehow choose to live a full life, I can expect to live maybe 60+ more years in pain, which will only get worse as I age. No wonder I'm looking for the right to end my suffering so fervently. I wouldn't wish reflux on the worst man alive... so what did I do to deserve it?

Post Edited (Daxter) : 4/14/2014 5:14:32 AM (GMT-6)

Daxter, I think you would get more response posting on the GERD forum although I know you find dealing with reflux disease stressful. Lifestyle change~ is a process not an event. I am aware that you know about nutrition, elevating the head of your bed ETC - however if you want to avoid the symptoms you must change .  Even if you had surgery you would still need to change your eating pattern and surgery is not a guarantee that your sx would vanish and you could " run, eat, drink and sleep again like a NORMAL PERSON, and I can't go for my dream job in animal care like this because I can't bend/heavy lift/run around. I can't go a whole lifetime like this."   As you know from being a member in the GERD forum, most of the members are in the same boat.  What you can do or can't do is within your power.   You have been interested in the LINX procedure - have you found a surgeon that you can talk to about the LINX?   When you feel your anxiety rising try this breathing exercise:   The Divided Breath: Imagine your lungs as having 3 parts. The bottom third, the middle, and top third. On the inhale fill the bottom third first, then the middle and finally the third. Make sure that this is one continuous breath, but divided, with a slight pause in between each third. Hold the breath in for 3-5 seconds if possible. Exhale in reverse. First blow out the top third, then the middle, and finally the bottom third of your lungs until all air is expelled. (remember the pauses) Repeat several rounds for a total of about 10 minutes. Practicing this every day will not only give you control and structure to your breathing, it will strengthen and loosen the thoracic muscles, allowing better, more productive breathing, and relieving the chest tightness!   There is also a topic in the GERD Forum for Health Anxiety - It is at the top of the page second thread -  Resources and Treatment Options - click on the link and scroll down to Health Anxiety.  https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=52985   Kindly, Kitt