Anxiety Issues (with added GERD)

Posted by abopp2022 @abopp2022, Jul 21, 2019

So I've had anxiety for a long time. And lately I've felt really off. My chest will get its usual tightness that I get with anxiety. But lately my heart feels like its racing but my fitbit BPM isn't high. My Clonazepam and Hydroxyzine doesn't help anymore. And I'm starting to freak out. My Acid Reflux makes it all worse. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow (7/22/19) for a previous injury. But im going to ask her if she can help. Any advice???????????? Please!!!

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Profile picture for flow65 @flow65

I’m curious….the surgery for the hernia didn’t help the GERD? Thank you.

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Surgery seemed to help but GERD returned. After problem returned. I went to a local gastroenterologist who tested me for food intolerances with the hydrogen breath test. I needed the surgery but wish I had also been informed of my food intolerances which contributed to the problem.

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Profile picture for flow65 @flow65

I’ve had acid reflux for years. Also on medication for it for years. I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety until way after the reflux. I was on Celexa for years but I took myself off of it back in early 2020. My psychiatrist stopped seeing patients. Now he’s back and I’ve been seeing him again for about a year. I suppose I must of gradually weaned myself off of celexa because at the time I didn’t have any problems. He’s tried several different meds for anxiety but I’m very sensitive. I get side effects very easily and can’t tolerate them. Even tried going back on Celexa. Couldn’t do it unless dosage was too high. Tried Pristiq and it wasn’t good. Pure hell to wean off of that. I was on low dose 50mg a day for 5-6 weeks. Wasn’t feeling right. He had me wean off of it in 13 days. Then put me on propranolol (beta blocker) for anxiety. Since being on all different meds, especially Pristiq sometimes I lose my train of thought. He has me on Nexium twice a day for awhile for the reflux. In the past I would only take it twice a day if reflux acted up. Read beta blockers can give heartburn and weaken the splinter to your stomach. In turn cause reflux problems. Has anyone with anxiety and reflux experience any of this? If so, what did you do? Thank you.

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Lori, yes I defenetly will be doing this exercise and will post my results. I am challenging fellow followers to try.Thank you

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Profile picture for lvon @lvon

Lori, yes I defenetly will be doing this exercise and will post my results. I am challenging fellow followers to try.Thank you

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That’s awesome! We may have to move this over into another group. I think this would be a great place to inspire others!
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/art-for-healing/
Would you mind posting your comment and exercise in there?

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Profile picture for flow65 @flow65

I’ve had acid reflux for years. Also on medication for it for years. I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety until way after the reflux. I was on Celexa for years but I took myself off of it back in early 2020. My psychiatrist stopped seeing patients. Now he’s back and I’ve been seeing him again for about a year. I suppose I must of gradually weaned myself off of celexa because at the time I didn’t have any problems. He’s tried several different meds for anxiety but I’m very sensitive. I get side effects very easily and can’t tolerate them. Even tried going back on Celexa. Couldn’t do it unless dosage was too high. Tried Pristiq and it wasn’t good. Pure hell to wean off of that. I was on low dose 50mg a day for 5-6 weeks. Wasn’t feeling right. He had me wean off of it in 13 days. Then put me on propranolol (beta blocker) for anxiety. Since being on all different meds, especially Pristiq sometimes I lose my train of thought. He has me on Nexium twice a day for awhile for the reflux. In the past I would only take it twice a day if reflux acted up. Read beta blockers can give heartburn and weaken the splinter to your stomach. In turn cause reflux problems. Has anyone with anxiety and reflux experience any of this? If so, what did you do? Thank you.

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I can.

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Profile picture for flow65 @flow65

I’ve had acid reflux for years. Also on medication for it for years. I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety until way after the reflux. I was on Celexa for years but I took myself off of it back in early 2020. My psychiatrist stopped seeing patients. Now he’s back and I’ve been seeing him again for about a year. I suppose I must of gradually weaned myself off of celexa because at the time I didn’t have any problems. He’s tried several different meds for anxiety but I’m very sensitive. I get side effects very easily and can’t tolerate them. Even tried going back on Celexa. Couldn’t do it unless dosage was too high. Tried Pristiq and it wasn’t good. Pure hell to wean off of that. I was on low dose 50mg a day for 5-6 weeks. Wasn’t feeling right. He had me wean off of it in 13 days. Then put me on propranolol (beta blocker) for anxiety. Since being on all different meds, especially Pristiq sometimes I lose my train of thought. He has me on Nexium twice a day for awhile for the reflux. In the past I would only take it twice a day if reflux acted up. Read beta blockers can give heartburn and weaken the splinter to your stomach. In turn cause reflux problems. Has anyone with anxiety and reflux experience any of this? If so, what did you do? Thank you.

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Hi, My brother had severe reflux issues. His gastroenterologist in Los Angeles told him to use flax seed daily (i.e. in smoothies for example). My brother said it worked really well and he no longer has acid reflux issues. Has anyone else heard of doing the flax seed thing??

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Profile picture for virgogirl7 @virgogirl7

Hi, My brother had severe reflux issues. His gastroenterologist in Los Angeles told him to use flax seed daily (i.e. in smoothies for example). My brother said it worked really well and he no longer has acid reflux issues. Has anyone else heard of doing the flax seed thing??

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Definitely work a try.

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Profile picture for flow65 @flow65

I’ve had acid reflux for years. Also on medication for it for years. I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety until way after the reflux. I was on Celexa for years but I took myself off of it back in early 2020. My psychiatrist stopped seeing patients. Now he’s back and I’ve been seeing him again for about a year. I suppose I must of gradually weaned myself off of celexa because at the time I didn’t have any problems. He’s tried several different meds for anxiety but I’m very sensitive. I get side effects very easily and can’t tolerate them. Even tried going back on Celexa. Couldn’t do it unless dosage was too high. Tried Pristiq and it wasn’t good. Pure hell to wean off of that. I was on low dose 50mg a day for 5-6 weeks. Wasn’t feeling right. He had me wean off of it in 13 days. Then put me on propranolol (beta blocker) for anxiety. Since being on all different meds, especially Pristiq sometimes I lose my train of thought. He has me on Nexium twice a day for awhile for the reflux. In the past I would only take it twice a day if reflux acted up. Read beta blockers can give heartburn and weaken the splinter to your stomach. In turn cause reflux problems. Has anyone with anxiety and reflux experience any of this? If so, what did you do? Thank you.

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Find a hobby you get passionate about. I find internal peace in nature. I took up gardening- growing and caring for flowers and other plants. I was dealing with stress on multiple levels and found I could glory in what God had created for us. My troubles melted away in time by simply being overwhelmed by our beautiful world. The exercise will physically tire the body making sleep more sound. I could think about my next gardening project laying in bed at night instead of other issues I had no control over. You need to change what your mind focuses on.

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Profile picture for flow65 @flow65

I’ve had acid reflux for years. Also on medication for it for years. I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety until way after the reflux. I was on Celexa for years but I took myself off of it back in early 2020. My psychiatrist stopped seeing patients. Now he’s back and I’ve been seeing him again for about a year. I suppose I must of gradually weaned myself off of celexa because at the time I didn’t have any problems. He’s tried several different meds for anxiety but I’m very sensitive. I get side effects very easily and can’t tolerate them. Even tried going back on Celexa. Couldn’t do it unless dosage was too high. Tried Pristiq and it wasn’t good. Pure hell to wean off of that. I was on low dose 50mg a day for 5-6 weeks. Wasn’t feeling right. He had me wean off of it in 13 days. Then put me on propranolol (beta blocker) for anxiety. Since being on all different meds, especially Pristiq sometimes I lose my train of thought. He has me on Nexium twice a day for awhile for the reflux. In the past I would only take it twice a day if reflux acted up. Read beta blockers can give heartburn and weaken the splinter to your stomach. In turn cause reflux problems. Has anyone with anxiety and reflux experience any of this? If so, what did you do? Thank you.

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Hi! I can not speak to the anxiety as my husband has been on a variety of meds and nothing seems to work. But I have acid reflux and what works for me is Omeprazole, once in the morning before eating anything for at least 30 min. If I do not take it I have bad heartburn by afternoon. As long as I take it there is no reflux. I do not limit things like caffeine or chocolate or acid foods like tomatoes. Once in a great great while I may have some heartburn anyways and 3 Tums takes care of it. I am determined to keep it at bay- my mom had a hiatus hernia that caused her reflux and it eventually ate a hole in her esophagus resulting in surgery and having a tiube for liquid food through her side- I am not going to allow that to be my fate. It is worth the fight. I wish you the best in finding solutions.

REPLY
Profile picture for flow65 @flow65

I’ve had acid reflux for years. Also on medication for it for years. I wasn’t diagnosed with anxiety until way after the reflux. I was on Celexa for years but I took myself off of it back in early 2020. My psychiatrist stopped seeing patients. Now he’s back and I’ve been seeing him again for about a year. I suppose I must of gradually weaned myself off of celexa because at the time I didn’t have any problems. He’s tried several different meds for anxiety but I’m very sensitive. I get side effects very easily and can’t tolerate them. Even tried going back on Celexa. Couldn’t do it unless dosage was too high. Tried Pristiq and it wasn’t good. Pure hell to wean off of that. I was on low dose 50mg a day for 5-6 weeks. Wasn’t feeling right. He had me wean off of it in 13 days. Then put me on propranolol (beta blocker) for anxiety. Since being on all different meds, especially Pristiq sometimes I lose my train of thought. He has me on Nexium twice a day for awhile for the reflux. In the past I would only take it twice a day if reflux acted up. Read beta blockers can give heartburn and weaken the splinter to your stomach. In turn cause reflux problems. Has anyone with anxiety and reflux experience any of this? If so, what did you do? Thank you.

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There is HOPE.
It takes TIME.
It took me more than one or two try’s and a full YEAR to eliminate anxiety meds.
Even my dr doubted my ability to wean myself off of anxiety meds.
But I did it!
Let someone tell me that they don’t think that I am capable of learning something
new is like lighting a fire under me!
The biggest “things” that helped me kick em to the curb was:
I literally track EVERYTHING I eat every single day to stay on track.
I work out at least 5 days a week.
I also prioritize FUN in my life.
Detractors only fuel my motivation.
(And detractors and failures are just ONE part of the process.
There is HOPE
Your journey is yours ALONE !
We can do hard things!
Please don’t give up.
RESILIENCE is a learned skill that I had to learn to not let a
bad day turn into a bad week…I’m rooting for you!
Yes, it can be discouraging but, we are going to face adversity anyway,
it’s just a part of life, but not your whole life.
NEVER stop trying and reaching forward to meet your goals.
Reach out when you need encouragement! We ALL need it.
It’s a daily choice, and we are ultimately the ONLY ones that
can choose a committed lifestyle of never giving up.
You physical and mental health is worth every battle.
I didn’t develop this “growth” mindset overnight…yes there
have times when I was a self pitying whiner… but I
finally learned that I was the ONLY one that could change
my health for the better. It’s the secret sauce for me.
I hope you never give up too.😉

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Profile picture for grandmaraines @grandmaraines

Hi! I can not speak to the anxiety as my husband has been on a variety of meds and nothing seems to work. But I have acid reflux and what works for me is Omeprazole, once in the morning before eating anything for at least 30 min. If I do not take it I have bad heartburn by afternoon. As long as I take it there is no reflux. I do not limit things like caffeine or chocolate or acid foods like tomatoes. Once in a great great while I may have some heartburn anyways and 3 Tums takes care of it. I am determined to keep it at bay- my mom had a hiatus hernia that caused her reflux and it eventually ate a hole in her esophagus resulting in surgery and having a tiube for liquid food through her side- I am not going to allow that to be my fate. It is worth the fight. I wish you the best in finding solutions.

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Thank you. Unfortunately the one med I was given for anxiety can weaken the splincter in the esophagus. Being weaned off. Nexium now twice a day for awhile. I was able to eat other things before this. Thank you again.

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