is this Gerd?

[Carrotsticks]

Hello

I know no one can diagnose and I really need to see my GP but I’m too embarrassed to go as I’ve been to the surgery several times already this year for one thing and another. I have health anxiety and have recently experienced a long bout of it and quite severe too. I’m wondering if the stress of it all has brought on what I am experiencing now.

But does this sound like Gerd please? Lots of belching, sometimes feeling air is trapped in oesophagus. No burning sensation but sometimes bring up something, not quite sure what. This mainly happens at night. Thoracic back pain, sternum pain, throat and neck discomfort, mainly on the sides. Right upper quadrant pain comes and goes which I’m wondering could be gall bladder but ultrasound didn’t show any stones. All in all I feel really miserable and not quite sure how to manage these symptoms. I take Gaviscon but not sure if it helps or not.

Any advice I would very much appreciate and thank you in advance.

D

[Pinkgold]

Hi I am sorry you are going through this but your experience I can identify with. I suffered from health anxiety and felt the same thing about going to GP and had every test going. My GP wanted to rule out anything serious and then suggested to deal with the anxiety and my throat and swallowing symptoms as I had globus. I went to see an ent specialist privately who diagnosed silent reflux and it had damaged my throat and larynx. Started on omeprazole twice a day and gaviscon after every meal it was not a quick fix but at the same time recommended mindfulness lessons to help tackle the anxiety. If you are anxious you produce more acid in your stomach increasing your gerd symptoms. I was sceptical at first but took a course of 12 lessons and this helped enormously and with the health anxiety. Go back to your Gp and discuss this. It took about eight months for my reflux to settle down altered my diet and slept on a raised mattress. As you say I cannot diagnose you but just share my experience. Good luck with your journey😀

[Carrotsticks in reply to Pinkgold]

Thank you for your reply and advice. I had CBT. It worked at the time but I'm afraid I've let it slip and allowed the anxiety to overtake again. I'm going to get out all the CBT stuff today and try and get back to a more peaceful mind fingers crossed. I'll take the Gaviscon more regularly too. The PPIs don't agree with me unfortunately so can't take them. I'll try it for2 weeks then if no better try and be brave and contact my GP.Thanks for your advice. Today I'm really going to try your suggestions because I can't go on like this. Couldn't sleep much last night because of the nausea.

Thank you again for your reply.

D