Anxiety and GERD (acid reflux): What do you do that helps?

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.😉

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.

I was pretty independent until the pandemic hit. Since then my life turned upside down. Then getting off an antidepressant on my own. But slowly. My psychiatrist stopped seeing patients for awhile. About 6 yrs. Then in late 2020 he was seeing patients again. He’s been trying all different meds with me. And I’m so sensitive. I’ve been a whiner many times. Thank you for the encouragement.

I do not eat after 7
Avoid dark chocolate which causes heartburn from hell

@friz - apple cider vinegar felt like it was burning a hole in my stomach - and made my GERD something fierce! Strange how it works like a charm for some, but not for others, eh!

@lvon - I gave up anxiety meds and found breathing exercises more helpful. Here is a set I googled for you. I do the belly breathing any time I have an anxiety/panic attack and it has helped each time.
https://www.verywellmind.com/abdominal-breathing-2584115
Also for GERD attacks in between scheduled meds, sipping a little water helps to relieve the pain. I always have a glass of water or a water bottle within reach, to take a few sips as soon as the pain starts.

I’ve put a post on other page regarding Seroquel. I’m on Xanax. Was on celexa for years. Stopped it in 2020 due to me being lazy and not taking it. Then in 2021 tried to get on it. Seen my psychiatrist again. He stopped seeing patients for years. Couldn’t get back on celexa. Or any other antidepressants. Very sensitive to meds. I have GERD/reflux. It’s been very bad for several months. I’ve tried meditation, breathing and I see a therapist. Psychiatrist thinks my anxiety is causing all the digestive issues. I lost weight and lack of appetite. So he wants me to try generic Seroquel. Very low dose because of my sensitivity. He wanted me to try it 6 months ago. But my husband and I read it’s not good. But Xanax isn’t either and I’m on it. Just scared of new meds. I was on a few and to taper off was grueling. Pristiq was one of them. Just overwhelmed, irritable, on edge and uneasy. I’m sure so many are. The pandemic hit me hard. I’ve had GERD for years. Was on Nexium for years. Recently I was switched to Protonix. Still not helping. I have heat. Plus I take Pepcid. Anyone in the same situation? Thanks for listening.

I hope you are up to date on your physical exams(?). My mother had only gone to a therapist during her chronic gastrointestinal flare ups. In hindsight she was in need of a Internal Medicine work-up. As you are losing weight, does your Primary Care Physician see eye to eye with Psychiatry?

I’ve been going to see my primary care Dr. I’ve had blood work up. My one level that checks liver, etc was mildly high. But she wants to recheck the numbers in a couple of weeks. I was sick prior to that. Sometimes that could make it go up. I’ve had an abdominal ultrasound. It was pretty similar to a test I had a few years ago. (CT etc). I also had an upper GI. It had shown I still have GERD with some backup going up a 1/3 of esophagus. Suppose to have a scope. Don’t know how I’m going to get thru that with my extreme anxiety. This is why I’m wondering if Seroquel will help my issue with anxiety. Plus it will be a low dose. I just don’t want it to get out of hand and he increases it. But we were told from pharmacists it’s a safe drug. And would they say otherwise. Don’t know if I should ask PCP if it’s ok. Hate to have 2 drs telling me 2 different things. Having reflux issues is like a loop. Anxiety bothers it and reflux bothers anxiety. Any info is appreciated. Thank you.

Hello @flow65. I noticed you had started another similar discussion on the topic of anxiety and gerd so I have moved your recent post back into your initial discussion to keep the conversation going with those members.

You can find your post here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anxiety-and-gerd-acid-reflux/?pg=3#chv4-comment-stream-header

Medications can throw off your healthy gut biome. Out of curiosity, have you ever looked into gut health options such as incorporating probiotics to see if that can alleviate some of your symptoms?