1. < Depression & Anxiety

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

Posted by flow65 @flow65, Jan 28, 2022

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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flow65 | @flow65 | Apr 3, 2022
In reply to @amandajro "Hello @flow65. I noticed you had started another similar discussion on the topic of anxiety and..." + (show)
@amandajro

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?

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Thank you. I have yogurt everyday. I can’t do supplements. Thank you.

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flow65 | @flow65 | Apr 3, 2022
In reply to @rashida "@friz - apple cider vinegar felt like it was burning a hole in my stomach -..." + (show)
@rashida

@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!

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Yes, I tried it before and like you made GERD worse. Are you suffering with anxiety as well. Thank you.

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1 reply
flow65 | @flow65 | Apr 3, 2022
In reply to @rashida "@lvon - I gave up anxiety meds and found breathing exercises more helpful. Here is a..." + (show)
@rashida

@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.

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Yes, I try breathing exercises too. But GERD has been so bad. I do drink water. Practically nothing else. Anxiety and GERD are bad for me now. Water doesn’t help much. Thank you

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rashida | @rashida | Apr 3, 2022
In reply to @flow65 "Yes, I tried it before and like you made GERD worse. Are you suffering with anxiety..." + (show)
@flow65

Yes, I tried it before and like you made GERD worse. Are you suffering with anxiety as well. Thank you.

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@flow65 yes, I do suffer from anxiety as well, but I don’t think this experience is because of anxiety. I have psoriasis on my scalp and an article (not Mayo as far as I can remember) recommended diluted apple cider vinegar as final rinse after shampooing. That, too, was a very painful experience!

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linh | @linh | Apr 3, 2022
In reply to @flow65 "I’ve been going to see my primary care Dr. I’ve had blood work up. My one..." + (show)
@flow65

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.

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I have GERD too. I remember reading one person's story with GERD, where they found it helpful not taking fluid during meals, but between them. This was so their stomach acid would not be diluted further during meals. I wondered how much fluid you consumed during your meals(?). I need to get back to taking most fluids between meals. I also read in Mayo Clinic patient information, one must sit properly in a chair after meals too, not raising your knees above your abdomen & go curling up afterward.
If you haven't already, it may help you to read some Mayo Clinic patient information or whatever your healthcare providers furnish you about your procedures. I have read that learning about procedures can actually reduce anxiety. I have found this to be the case for myself.

I have never forgotten a Respiratory Therapist walking in their patient's room during a foley catheter procedure. They ducked out of the room saying it sent "shivers up their spine". Yet he had no problem working with tubes in the upper airway, or around adjacent feeding tubes, etc. Many of us have our callings, Urology was not his! Good for you for working with your doctors to get to the bottom of things.

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flow65 | @flow65 | Apr 3, 2022

Thank you for the info. I usually drink water before, during and after. I don’t think I drink that much during my meals. I decided to wait to drink after I ate. Usually the thing that settles it down a bit is chewing sugar free spearmint gum. It’s for the heat or nausea. After I stop the gum the heat or nausea comes back. Plus no appetite. I’ve lost so much weight over the past 13 months from the GERD and anxiety. Thank you again.

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bea4me | @bea4me | Apr 14, 2022

My Stage 4 esophageal cancer & hiatal hernia surgery in 2020 left me with the loss of 1/3 of the esophagus. My stomach was detached & relocated higher up & sewn into the remains of the esophagus. I lost the valve that is mandatory in the esophagus to close after food is passed thru to the stomach. Thus, gerd flows like a river 24/7. No meds have worked on gern, even Sucralfate. Constant chest pain wakes me multiple times a night ruining my sleep. Am told by gastro docs that nothing can be done about the valve so situation will never change. I fear erosion of my remaining esophagus by the gerd over time will mean the rest of my life on a feeding tube . Was on one for 7 mos. while hospitalized from the surgery & resulting coma. Never again! It plays havoc with your intestines & results in uncontrollable severe diarrhea.
My surgery was an "Esophajectemy With Gastric Pull Through".

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2 replies
riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Apr 14, 2022
In reply to @bea4me "My Stage 4 esophageal cancer & hiatal hernia surgery in 2020 left me with the loss..." + (show)
@bea4me

My Stage 4 esophageal cancer & hiatal hernia surgery in 2020 left me with the loss of 1/3 of the esophagus. My stomach was detached & relocated higher up & sewn into the remains of the esophagus. I lost the valve that is mandatory in the esophagus to close after food is passed thru to the stomach. Thus, gerd flows like a river 24/7. No meds have worked on gern, even Sucralfate. Constant chest pain wakes me multiple times a night ruining my sleep. Am told by gastro docs that nothing can be done about the valve so situation will never change. I fear erosion of my remaining esophagus by the gerd over time will mean the rest of my life on a feeding tube . Was on one for 7 mos. while hospitalized from the surgery & resulting coma. Never again! It plays havoc with your intestines & results in uncontrollable severe diarrhea.
My surgery was an "Esophajectemy With Gastric Pull Through".

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So sorry you had to go thru this trauma!

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linh | @linh | Apr 15, 2022
In reply to @bea4me "My Stage 4 esophageal cancer & hiatal hernia surgery in 2020 left me with the loss..." + (show)
@bea4me

My Stage 4 esophageal cancer & hiatal hernia surgery in 2020 left me with the loss of 1/3 of the esophagus. My stomach was detached & relocated higher up & sewn into the remains of the esophagus. I lost the valve that is mandatory in the esophagus to close after food is passed thru to the stomach. Thus, gerd flows like a river 24/7. No meds have worked on gern, even Sucralfate. Constant chest pain wakes me multiple times a night ruining my sleep. Am told by gastro docs that nothing can be done about the valve so situation will never change. I fear erosion of my remaining esophagus by the gerd over time will mean the rest of my life on a feeding tube . Was on one for 7 mos. while hospitalized from the surgery & resulting coma. Never again! It plays havoc with your intestines & results in uncontrollable severe diarrhea.
My surgery was an "Esophajectemy With Gastric Pull Through".

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Also sorry you had to go under the knife. I remember in my much younger days going to a European nursing conference & they showed us slides of the most amazing looking pates they make for patients. Maybe pates are something to consider if you haven't yet.

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1 reply
bea4me | @bea4me | Apr 15, 2022
In reply to @linh "Also sorry you had to go under the knife. I remember in my much younger days..." + (show)
@linh

Also sorry you had to go under the knife. I remember in my much younger days going to a European nursing conference & they showed us slides of the most amazing looking pates they make for patients. Maybe pates are something to consider if you haven't yet.

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What are "pates" and what do they do?
@bea4me

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