Acid Refux & Scaring Myself

catMomYogi · Post by **catMomYogi** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:55 am

Hello, I am new here (but I am not new to anxiety). I just ordered the program today. I've beed doing really well regarding anxiety for some time now (years), and unfortunately today I feel awful. About 3 weeks ago I started having a lot of burning in my upper chest, and everyone told me this was from heartburn which makes sense. I was drinking a lot of tea (with caffeine). (I work a demanding full-time job and have a long commute). I procrastinated going to the doctor but finally did last week and by that time I had become really anxious -- constantly "watching" for the burn in my chest and making up all kinds of tragic scenarios regarding my health. (By the way, I'm in great shape -- yoga, slim, etc. but I was drinking too much hot tea). When I went to the doctor last Thursday, she said "I think the main problem here is anxiety." She prescribed xanax (which I know well and only use occassionally) and Prisloec for the acid reflux. The prisolec doesn't seem to have helped much. I'm still anxious and experiencing the burning sensation (but I think it's mainly apparent when I scare myself). I am scanning my body very closely and scaring myself with my thoughts. Ok, so do I call the doctor back and tell her I still have the acid? Or do I treat this as anxiety? Or do I go to a specialist? (I went to a GP). Maybe if I hear from a specialist that I am ok I will believe it? Please advise. Thank You!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:35 am

Hey Cat,

I think you should really just kick back relax and stop drinking caffine! After a couple of days without if the burning doesnt go away then call your Dr. again. For now listen to the relaxation CD and relax. Just remember that to ignore the feeling the best you can. I know it is easier said than done. You'll notice that worrying about those symptoms (sp) will only make everything worse. Just relax. Di something to take your mind off it.

Remember, I'm not a doctor and have never played one on TV

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:43 am

I just started the program today myself and I also take prilosec for what i call indigestion. My doctor recently prescribed me xanax about 8 months ago for anxiety (panic disorder.) Even with the xanax i still become very anxious and i find myself taking it everyday. It is a very temporary fix to a long term problem. I'm trying to leave it alone all together. That's why i have this new program. I don't know how this will turn out but i know i don't want drug dependency. It really seemed like a quick fix in the beginning but it really doesn't work for me now. It justs drugs me out. I wish you luck and I hope you find a way. I think I'm going to become a Yes Man and see where that leads me. Maybe if i say yes more often to things it might help lead me away from this. Take Care!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:47 am

Wildcard

Thank you for your advice - I think you are right on the money! I really need to ignore these symptoms for a few weeks or so and I think my body will heal itself. I know that I am intensifying these symptoms with my negative thoughts. I have a very hard time dealing with "uncertainty." I am going to find a mantra or short prayer that I can recite when I feel anxious and see what happens wth that. I'll report back here what I come up with.

TFR -- sounds like you are having a tough time. May I ask if the prilosec helps with your indigestion? I called the doctor this afternoon and she said I should take two a day (I am now taking only one pill a day).

Thanks for your help!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:59 am

I woudl like to give an update on my situation just in case anyone is moved to give me some encouragement today. Last night coming home from work I was in a bad state and took a small amount of xanax. I didn't feel much like exercising, but my husband encouraged me and we walked for several miles, at which time I felt better. Also, the doctor told me to double the heartburn medication and I think that is helping. I was realy anxious when I went to bed last night -- took some more xanax, but I also listened to some old Lucinda tapes I have which I have not heard in a very long time (msotly the tape on self-talk and the what-if tape). I have decided that what I need to do is (1) stay in the present moment and (2) repeat self-soothing affirmatons to myself as often as I can, especially these "I can trust my body" and "I can choose to stay in the present moment.
I am going in to work late again today and trying not to beat myself up about that. Ok, thanks for listening. Any encouragement is appreciated very much. Peace to all.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:03 am

Hi! Prilosec takes at least 2 weeks before you'll feel any better. Your probably taking the 20mg dose? If Prilosec doesn't help you after using it for a while(at least 3 weeks) then ask your doctor about Kapidex. I'm using Kapidex 60mg dose.

I went to the doctor with symptoms like yours and they tried putting me on Lexapro but I never took it. I went back to another doctor and he told me to do an upper GI. This showed I do in fact have acid reflux and a hiatal hernia in my stomach. I'm still taking Kapidex every day in the morning. I also have had pain much lower than my stomach and have had a colonoscopy. They found precancer polyps. I'm glad I went in because at my young age these would have never been found. I go back in for an abdominal and pelvic ct scan this week.

If your not feeling any better after taking prilosec please go back in to see the doctor. Ask that you visit with a GI specialist. They will help you get to feeling much better! You may have to do a lot of tests but it is worth it! I hope you feel better soon catMomYogi!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:15 pm

Hope you are doing better. I'm having the exact same problem right now. Feels like my upper chest is burning. Especially bad a night and then I get scared that its a sign that something is wrong with my heart. This happened back in Jan. and I went to Dr. did ekg on my and bloodwork, everything came back good , put me on aciphex? and it worked but I guess I'm going to have to go on it again. Still get scared with the burning sensation though and its like the more I dwell on it the worse it gets. Vicious cycle. Please let me know how you are doing, it helps to know someone else is dealing with this...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Nov 25, 2009 2:43 am

try apple cider vinegar for acid reflux, and stop eating 3 hours before you go to bed. that is what works for me.