Beating this thing on my own?

Engine2 · Post by **Engine2** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:02 am

So recently I had some down times and I have been slowing coming back up.

I am 33yrs old and have probably suffered with anxiety most of my life, documented in 3rd grade and beyond.

Only in 3rd grade was there any type of intervention that I am aware of.

In 2004 I started with I guess Panic Attacks, mild, but none-the-less.

After a bad month of February (an ER visit, etc) I feel as if I am conquering this thing, but slowly.

Problem is for a month or more I have had this feeling in my throat, I want to say burning, but I am not sure. In Dec. '07 they said I had Mid-Thoracic reflux, but I never had any symptoms.

I then started with this thing in my throat and I have good days and bad. I have listened to so many people, but one has stood out and this was a 55yr old man who had bypass surgery.

Difference between him and I is simple - 1) Age, 2) Onset.

His onset was during excersie and they found a block in an artery. The day he went to the doctor they sent him right to the cardiologist who then had him stop on the dreadmill within minutes.

I have had stress tests and echo's. EKG's and Chest X-Rays. I have been told I have reflux and costochondritis.

But now I go back to this thing in my throat. It freaks me out. My PCP has not seen anything, but they gave me Prevacid for reflux, but while I feel better that has not cleared this other thing. I keep thinking it is this or that and it drives me nuts.

I guess so much that I then get Chest pain and I can go into Panic mode. I did today, but I thought positive and got out of it. I did not even take any meds and my chest pain went away after feeling myself come down.

So, I probably have just rambled a bit, but I feel like I am making progress and it is since I started reading these posts. I am not part of the program yet, but the forums have done wonders for me.

If I could just figure out this burning or feeling in my throat. Everyone says my heart is fine, why can't I just believe them??

Thanks for listening.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:26 am

Wow, we are on the same road with this one.
I have had Anxiety since 14, never taken any medicines for it. Now in my 40's I have notice the increase of nervousness about everything.
I too have REFLUX for about 10 years, but I had to give up spicy foods, not eat late at night, prop up with pillows and I get Tagament in my purse and at work. I have been diagnose with costrocondritis in july 2007 and now I returned recently after going through this painful Back and Leg injury for 3months. IT seems to be present because of STRESS. I have taken EKG's too and my blood,blood sugar and levels are all normal. We have a history of Diabetes and High pertention in my family genes along with some mental illness on my mother side, that I recently discovered. I guess it all generic and I am the only sibling that have it ALL. But I now am more focus on it and try to reduce the stress in my life by not worring about everything. I am scheduled to have a stress test and complete physical this month. The Anxiety will put negative thoughts of panic in my mind, but I won't let it. I have awaken everyday will some discomfort. One doctor gave me an inhaler to try for a bronco spasm. I just can let all this anxiety and stress, bring me down. I AM FIGHTING BACK, and worrying less.
I had demanded all the test they can give me and all the numbers looks good, so the rest is up to me to calm down and realize that nothing bad is going to happen to me.

hope4peace · Post by **hope4peace** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 9:38 am

Part II,
Hey Engine2, I am also trying accupuncture and holitic ways to cure myself. I told them all my conditions and they placed me on a herbal regimen. I also think as we get older our bodies do change also with our metabolism. I am a little overweight and don't really exercise much, but now I am determine to get my mind and body in shape. I'm approaching 50 in a few years. I want to be free from all of this stuff I have been caring around for years. I just joined this website and purchased those tapes, it will all help me. I had shoulder pain, leg/back pain etc. I called 911 and the guys would say, MAM you don't look sick, but internally I was. Everyone is saying I need to relax,but during that time I was in severe PAIN then I stessed my entire family out, but I am dealing with it better now. good luck and let me know how your health turns out.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 7:53 am

Hey Tiger Lady,

Thanks for the replies. I don't want to mislead, I have a xanax prescription and I have become accustomed to using it, however, yesterday afternoon when I had posted I had beat it w/o the xanax, then at night I took it as I still did not feel fully relaxed and it is important for me to remain calm in the face of my family.

I hate taking the pill and I am trying to use them less, I have good days and bad, lately a few more in between the bad.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:10 am

My anxiety symptoms are almost all 'oral' at the initial stages. My tongue feels numb or fuzzy and I get 'heartburn' sensations in my throat. I've never thought they were anything more than what they are (my anxiety), but at the same time, if I ever get heartburn from what I eat, I immediately assume I'm anxious. Vicious circle.

So, to help, I'll ask you this - when you get the throat sensations, are you anxious? If so, I think you can rest assured that there is nothing else to look for. Maybe that's all you need? If not, when a medical professional says it isn't something else, do you trust them? What I mean is, if they are right, then there is nothing for you to worry about, just slowly calm yourself and in time the 'throat issue' will lessen.

I hope that helps somewhat.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:35 pm

Rhonda,

This makes complete sense to be honset with you, but I just find it weird that I had not had this sensation for the first 6+ months of my recent "heavy" battle with anxiety, however may it is just a new symptom since speaking with that guy at work - mind games in essences since my anxiety always makes me think I am having the big one.

I do know when I am active I seem to feel it less, but then again, no always the case. I do think it went away when I took my Xanax last night. (I'm not even sure I spell that right - lol).

But I will say I don't generally feel anxious until I feel that feeling, then I start getting anxious, unless I am anxious and then start getting the feeling - Vicious cycle as you say!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:59 pm

Hey engine, I am not a dr (nor do I play one on tv) but it sounds to me like your mind may be causing your symptoms. Are you drinking enough water? I get those feelings too, like reflux and it's nasty but I could also stand to lose some weight which I know will help. Next time you get the feeling, recognize it as anxiety and use positive self talk to let your mind know that it will not get the best of you, YOU are in control, you are relaxed and most important of all, you are normal and healthy. Do some deep breathing to relieve stress, that may help too.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:09 pm

I have reflux (identified thru an endoscopy) and also anxiety. This duo seems to go together a lot of the time. Anxious people may not digest their food very well - Which makes sense to me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:44 am

Engine, it is a bit of a conundrum (sp?) isn't it?

For me, I was having heartburn daily, but didn't know I had anxiety. I knew I was stressed out to the max, but didn't think it was related. So I treated the symptoms separately to the best of my abilities. Then there are times when that isn't part of my syptoms. So for you, maybe it just is a new symptom that your mind caused?

Mu guess is that it's anxiety related and that it will begin to pass as you begin to relax. For me, I'm still dealing with it off and on because it is my first 'warning' in most cases and I'm still recovering.

Just work with your positive thinking, don't be hard on yourself if you need to take a pill and I'm sure you'll start to see improvement.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:00 am

It is probably anxiety. I think I said it earlier, but a guy at work talked about burning in his throat during physical excertion and he wound up having bypass surgery. So, oddly enought only a week or so went by when this symptom developed, of course cause I want to think that I am having the big one, that is my anxiety these days.

I hate that I can feel OK, but start to have some CP and then later probably start with the throat thing.

I am 95% sure it is anxiety as it appears my Xanax can cure most everything. I am trying to deal more on my own than with the meds, but sometimes I just need to come down and get back to normal.

I have an endoscopy to be scheduled within the next couple of weeks, but through an Upper GI Series they said I have mid thoracic reflux, but I never had any visible symptoms. I really think it is my anxiety.

Just hate being like this, but I have always felt that I can get anyone's symptom if it plays me in a directino of panic. From the onset I thought about this guy at work and I have dealt with it evers since.

hmmmmmm!