Hi Karen. Really appreciate your feedback. For the first time, I was taking ativan on a twice daily basis. For about a decade, was just "as needed". Problem was that I was needing it much more...
Hi. Have any of you folks experienced (let's say) gastro issues from Ativan withdrawal? On and off now for about a week, which my psychiatrist says is normal. Thanks....
Hi. IMO, the authority on this topic is Dr. Jamie Koufman. She is no longer in practice. But has a very informative series on the vagus nerve connection on her blog here...
Really glad to hear that you're so well managed and plugged in. Once again, best of luck resolving your issues. GG...
Hi again. Fantastic news that your doctor knew to test for EoE. Most don't. Sounds like you're with the right doctor. Did your doctor recommend taking an H2 blocker like Famotidine for your...
Good morning Park12. Since you're having an endoscopy, make sure they biopsy you for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). This is a condition (sort of an allergy--typically food related--which causes...
Lanie: Buon giorno. We had family friends who were Piemontesi. I was born in Emilia Romagna a million years ago. Grew up in the NYC area, too. Topo: Always wanted to visit Sicily. The landscape looks...
Lanie: Very cool. We came over on the Cristoforo Colombo. Where are you from? HT: LOL. But if we're following the thread trend, you're a tartaruga....
Fantastic. I'm "off the boat" so could not let that coincidence sit. lol Ciao....
I'm sitting here hysterical that someone named Topo (mouse in Italian) responded to a thread about mice. lol...
Hi. Can't tell you how many times over the years that I've had the same anxiety over mice and cleaning up their droppings. Would send me into a panic. First, it's very unlikely that you have...
Good morning, Lulu. Totally agree with Sharon. Why would a surgeon recommend major surgery when your scopes did not show any real esophageal damage? IMO, that seems a bit extreme, especially as you...
Good morning. First, sorry that you are experiencing all those reflux issues. I can relate. A couple of items in your food list stood out as things which I have avoided for years due to my GERD/EoE....
Hi. Have you tried alkaline water? Try finding one that has a pH of at least 8 which denatures the pepsin in your esophagus. I bought a pitcher online which has a filter so I can create my own...
Good morning. Yeah, I share your concern for dependence on benzos and the THC causing more anxiety. The high CBD strain at my medical marijuana dispensary is BAOX 5:1 (CBD:THC). Depending on where...
Fantastic news that it's not EoE. I'm struggling with a relapse of this at the moment. Sending best thoughts that the new meds will eventually work for you. Don't give up searching for the answer(s)...
Thanks, Karen. Fantastic that you have found success with your homemade (wow, that's impressive!) products. You are always so helpful to us on the site. Thanks for what you do. GG...
Hi. Have you been tested for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)? I was in a similar GERD/LPR world, getting better and relapsing. After a food impaction, a subsequent scope/biopsy turned up EoE. Here's...
Good morning. In a perfect, addiction-free, world I'd feel almost like my pre-OCD/GAD self on low dose lorazepam. I just don't want to deal with long-term use and future discontinuation. That said, I...
Has your son been tested for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). It is a different type of allergic reaction to certain foods. First line therapy involves a six food elimination diet. I was diagnosed as...
Good morning. I suffer with GERD/EoE and OCD/Anxiety. Lucky me. lol I have been on and off various SSRIs and benzodiazepines for years. Problem for me is that they cause a bunch of side effects. A...
Hi. Coughing from reflux is very common. I'm on Pantoprazole and have a bit of it now as I have not been so diligent with my diet and alcohol consumption. lol Holiday cheer, I guess. If you have not...
Hi. You said you were scoped. Did they test you for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)? Usually, EoE manifests itself in a food impaction or difficulty swallowing. It's sort of a different type of food...
Hi. Stay away from acidic juices entirely. I would suggest alkaline water on its own, which you can buy or make yourself with an alkaline water pitcher (what I do). Look for a pH of at least 8 which...
Good morning. Sorry you are not feeling well with the Bravo in place. I had the standard pH monitor/probe through my nose into the stomach for 24 hours, which was annoying but manageable. When the...
Fantastic that your endoscopy went well. Congrats. I also suffer with OCD/anxiety issues, so can relate to being on a PPI (in my case Pantoprozole) and occasionally having reflux-related issues,...
Totally agree with Sharon that you should have a conversation with your doctor. Food getting stuck or difficulty swallowing were symptoms which first prompted me to get medical help. I was first...
I have had a full on food impaction, which means it will not clear the esophagus on its own. Not even saliva will go down. I never had a feeling of choking, just food being stuck. I had to be...
As promised, here's my update: Just too many side effects from the EMSAM patch. Worst were insomnia, higher blood pressure, frequent indigestion (and I have reflux/EOE which was nonexistent for...
Hi. Along with OCD/anxiety issues, I also have reflux and swallowing problems due to Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE). I would definitely suggest speaking with your doctor if you continue to experience...
Hi Karen. Thanks for the your always sage words. I agree that I need some form of mindfulness meditation. I'll keep you guys posted on the effects of the EMSAM patch. Cheers....
Hi medved. Day two of EMSAM and so far all seems well. Maybe even feeling less depression and more energy. Who knows where this is heading? And there are no dietary restrictions at the lowest level...
Hi gang. Thanks for taking the time with your responses. My psychiatrist weaned me off the generic librium and wellbutrin. Felt like I was walking around like a zombie. I am now free of drugs but...
Thanks very much for the responses. Best of luck on you journeys as well....
Thanks all for your thoughtful responses. As of yesterday, I am weaning off Chlordiazepoxide. Like before, just making me feel unsteady, anxious, beyond clumsy and generally not feeling well. I have...
Thanks very much for your thoughtful support. It means a great deal. Have a great week....
Not doing all that great,. Just heard yesterday that a close family friend--father with five kids, grandkids and and loving family--killed himself. We still don't know the full details as the family...
Yeah, I hope the agitation/anger dissipates....
Hi Medved. After 12 days on the medication there are both hits and misses. I am sleeping better/more completely, and my overall level of anxiety (which had become pretty serious) has improved...
My suggestion to you is to drink alkaline water above 8.0. I have LPR and EOE and it;'s all I drink. This helps neutralize acid in the esophagus. And you don't need to buy alkaline water in...
Thanks Hibee....
I suffer from OCD and anxiety. Lately, It has become somewhat serious. Due to a variety of side effects, I no longer take SSRIs. My psychiatrist is trying 25mg of Chlordiazepoxide (librium) three...
No I haven't been tested yet for EoE. I'm definitely exploring everything though. We'll see what happens with these tests tomorrow and Friday then go from there. Thanks, I appreciate the...
Hello again. The only way to test for EoE is through biopsies taken during an endoscopy. Fifteen or more eosinophils per high powered field in a biopsy defines it as EoE. Here's a link to an article...
As I asked in another thread, have you been tested for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)? This might be the actual cause of your swallowing issues. Over the years, I was diagnosed with GERD and LPR....
Hi. Have you been tested for Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)? I was diagnosed with it this past July after trying for years to find answers which could explain my swallowing issues. Good luck with...
Have you been tested (endoscopy/biopsies) for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)?...
As you know, EoE has only been seriously diagnosed and treated the last two or three decades. It is inflammation caused by white blood cells in the esophagus, which should not be there at all. It can...
Hi. Sorry you are experiencing these problems. I have been through many of the same issues with multiple endoscopies which showed varying degrees of GERD/LPR. Eventually, after a food impaction, my...
I've had both tests. (The sensor through the nose into the stomach for 24 hours, not the Bravo.) They are a bit uncomfortable but nothing crazy. Worst part is passing the gag reflex as the doctor...