Anxiety / Panic issues: Sorry for the book

[Davey6101]

Been under a lot of stress for a while now and its really manifesting itself physically.

I work from home a majority of the time, and we are blessed enough that my wife is also here as well, home with our son. The house can seem so small at times though

We haven't done anything fun for just us since our son was born, & we don't live near family .

The company I work for was just acquired, and awaiting the outcome of that.

Its Telecom ... so as volatile as that is ... who knows ....

The new Sales Director’s methods for managing his team are less than stellar and since I am their Technical Support Engineer, I hear it from every one .

This guy is, well, abrasive to say the least; At least I don't report to this guy .

My Parents health are questionable, They’re both in their 70’s and I’m worried about them. Dad has Afib occasionally &, Mom has diabetes.

Her parents are divorced and cant occupy the same area at any given time.

Her Dad comes to visit about every other weekend and her Mom comes up occasionally

Just had to put one of our dogs down a week ago and I am still a wreck.

I have always had dogs, but this was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and each time it gets worse as I get older.

Had a couple of ER Visits:

Thought Heart attack once, Appendicitis the next .

No Cardio issues found so very grateful for that after the usual follow ups

No appendicitis either

Followed up with the GI people:

Ive been diagnosed with IBS / GERD, a Hiatal Hernia and lucky me ... an esophageal thing called a Schatzki Ring. That gets Dilated next Friday

With the Schatzki ring swallowing is intermittently either ok or ridiculously difficult so I have been as of late blending fruit, nuts, berries , juice and some kind of greens [ spinach etc ] for some kind of nutritional value as well as drinking bone broth , water and using the Natural Calm w/ Calcium stuff to balance my electrolytes .

The usuals are out , Chocolate, Fatty foods, any kind of carbonated beverage ... NO CAFFEINE at all

Eating is a nightmare, I am intolerant to Dairy, Gluten [ being checked again for Celiacs] , and all legumes [ soy anything, beans, peas etc] .and No Nightshades.

I have lost 30 lbs since January, and am currently hovering ~ 155 ish but had cut out most processed sugar, so some of the weight loss can be attributed to that.

Breathing after I've eaten something is sometimes , well don't want to say difficult, but it definitely isn't normal .. Kind of feels like I can't catch my breath , but then it clears after whatever is apparently stuck in my neck clears the SR and goes into the stomach .

Peripheral Vision occasionally gets “glassy/wavy/ in the right corner of my right eye with a slight headache.

So I don't know whether I need to treat the physical stuff that going on , the Anxiety that seems to be the cause of all that , or both ...

The only doctor I have not had an appointment with yet is a Therapist/ Psychologist.

Thoughts ?

[Nicki1984]

Hello! You certainly have a lot going on here! I have anxiety and IBS and find it's all a bit trial and error and very overwhelming at first but you need to work on everything gradually over time. In regards to anxiety I have had and continue to have counselling/cbt this I feel has been the biggest impact overall. I try to relax more and put myself first more so meditating, reading a book, taking a bath and unwinding properly before bed. Self help books are also great. Accepting anxiety and identifying your triggers is a start. I have also found taking magnesium and other minerals (supplement and spray) good for anxiety. Trying to work on healthy boundaries in relationships is important.

In terms of IBS so far I follow low FODMAP and am sensitive to wheat and dairy and too much sugar. I take a daily high strength probiotic and digestive enzyme after a main meal. I take mebeverine 3 times a day. I still get IBS issues though so will be getting some tests done privately to look at Candida and parasites - our NHS does not seem to look into these. Again there are some books out there that are worth a read in looking at IBS. Good luck x

[Davey6101 in reply to Nicki1984]

Hi

Thanks for the kind words

I have been doing the relaxation stuff at night, foot soaks, baths in Epsom salts / Magnesium Chloride oil spray since I don't do well with oral mg supplements . Fortunately sleep hasn't been an issue . I get anywhere between 6-8 hrs / night.

Also my wife and I are on the same page as far as visits from family etc and we openly discuss those issues after our little guy goes to bed .

I had been looking at the GAPS diet but will certainly take your suggestion on the FODMAP as well

The major food triggers have been identified, although with the labelling sometimes something will sneak in that we've missed.

Been working with the local naturopath here as well so the probiotics are a must . I will look into the digestive enzymes too thanks !!!

Also found ginger tea w/ honey seems to alleviate the IBS /GERD /breathing stuff as well

Any suggestions on the books ?? t here are so many ..

[Nicki1984 in reply to Davey6101]

Sounds like you are on the right path. I see you found my post re IBS books. I have found for anxiety various books helpful but main ones Anxiety Panicking about Panic by Justin Fletcher and Feel the Fear but do it anyway by Susan Jeffers. I also have an 8 week Mindfullness meditation audiobook by mark Williams which is good. Knowledge is power! I find the more I learn about IBS and anxiety the better placed I am at managing it better x

[Nicki1984 in reply to Nicki1984]

Peppermint tea is also good. I'm going to get some peppermint oil tablets to take after a meal too x

[HearYou]

The stretching of your esophagus is an easy procedure and common. Both my brother and sister had it done and MDs say every 7-10 years may need again. I have the same situation developing but not bad enough to have the procedure done yet. Apparently, just a normal aging thing that happens. At least that is one less thing to worry about...just get it done so you can eat what you need and want, ok?

[Davey6101 in reply to HearYou]

Yep the EGD doesn't bother me

Ive had 3 endoscopes previously , just not the dilation ... get knocked out and wake up later thats no problem ...

[HearYou in reply to Davey6101]

Good.

[Davey6101]

Cross two off the list :

Upper and lower Barium GI results are in as " Unremarkable "

EGD Next Friday , then hopefully good to go