Surley this is not anxiety? Help me please

Hello All

Well apologies for the long post I hope I don’t bore you...................... Here it goes

4 weeks ago I was getting indigestion symptoms, Went to my GP who told me I have reflux prescribed me some PPI medications to slow down stomach acid production, however my symptoms were very vague I was constantly burping and also had a symptom like I had swallowed a bag of coins and it was stuck in my chest and throat.
I began to do some research or 'googled it' as they say and I was horrified and managed to convince myself I had a hernia, blockage or you name it I had it.
Went back to the GP a week later was tearful as explained I was fearful I had something more sinister and she reassured me that as I have not been sick or had black stools (another obsession of mine toilet checking) I was fine. I felt a bit better the rest of that day.................... Woke up the next morning and when I belched on an empty stomach I went back to my GP convinced I could taste (blood was like a metallic taste) she rested my mind that was acid and so the story ploughs on.(she did a examination of my stomach on all occasions)

It doesn’t end here, I then went on to develop a lump in the throat ........... (although I have no problems eating or drinking and do not choke on food) and the shakes more often it happens when I have just woken up and I find the simplest things that make me jump out of my skin I also have panic attacks although I don’t get the racing heart and breathlessness – I do get shoulder and neck pain, lump in the throat, upper back pain, pressure ache like in my chest/throat along with stabbing pains under my left breast, I also feel achy chest when I take deep breaths in (but no cough or anything) and I have constant worry about health no matter what I do my brain is ticking away.

I finally went back to my GP and explained I have been a wreck and she prescribed me Diazepam 2mg three times a day and also Citroplam to take. So far I have been on the Diazepam seven days only taking 1/2 to one tablet a day and seen a massive improvement hardly any reflux symptoms or chest pain or shakes. However today I tried to go without taking a Diazepam and I feel the constant worry again, I feel like im losing my mind. I’m completely obsessing over health and dwell on every minor ache or pain................. HELP ME
Can anxiety cause a lump in your throat and make your food feel like its getting stuck? Im so scared

[snoozies43]

Sounds like anxiety Shelly,

anxiety can cause one to feel as if there is a lump in their throat.

Your constant worry..
Panic attacks...
Breathless...
Pressure in chest...
Stabbing pains...
Brain ticking away...etc.

Stay on your diazepam  until you see your doctor. ok?

Good luck!
Snoozy

[Pum]

Sounds exactly like an episode of anxiety/depression I had a few years ago. The burping is from air swallowing and the lump in the throat is a spasm from the tenseness you have from the anxiety. Plus a bit from the medication you are on.
It's called globus sensation if you want to read about it more.

Be kind to yourself. You will get over this but you may need an anti-depressant for longer term relief. Take some self-help measures, exercise, listen to upbeat music, get out and about, never sleep in the day, read some self-help books on panic or anxiety. Claire Weekes books are great.

Good luck.

[liz434]

about anxiety....I read somewhere that when people are shy in childhood (as I was) they become "shallow" breathers...which, as adults, can manifest into indigestion, or
acid reflux!! interesting huh?  since I read this, I  remind myself a dozen times a day to ..breathe....deeply.....& it does help ! I always keep a supply of low grade xanax or valium on hand...if I need it, its there...which is, in itself, comforting....I posted earlier about the "crying" that comes over me,, & forgot to put my age..65....& female.. I used to joke Id been worried since 1957...but its not actually that much of a stretch, if you know what i mean!!lol

[bgirl2]

this is exactly what i have now, i dont know how many times i went to the ER, doctor, the medclinic thinking something was horribly wrong with me and im still convinced something is but ive been told multiple times that im fine. at least your lucky enough to get medicine for this problem, my mom doesnt think i need it she thinks it is all in my head-CLEARLY. just know you are not alone.

[Shelly438]

Guys Thanks you so much! I just cant get this out of my head..........Its like Yesterday was the first day that I attenpted to go without the Valuim and Woosh all the feelings come back..............Especially the metal tasting burps which of course I think I must have this that or the other!!!!!!!!
Just taken half a Diazapham then have to face the office................I feel like screaming im ill and no body is listening to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !(is this normal)

[Shelley900]

Hi!  Yes, believe me, this is normal! My anxiety/panic just suddenly came on - and I still don't know why! it honestly frightened me so much as it started with numbness/tingling in the face and I could only seem to relax when I went and lay down on my bed and tried to calm down.  And then I started getting the constant neck/shoulder pain aswell, but honestly, this is all just cos of the tension - I actually went and got a massage a few weeks ago and this really, really did seem to help and it also chills you out a bit too! When I was feeling my worst, I could just have cried as it was soooo frustrating as noone understood exactly what it felt like and EVERY morning when I got to work, I just wanted to go home as I felt I couldn't face it and even now, with every ache/pain I get, I just think there's something seriously wrong esp when I get a headache as I seem to have an unhealthy obsession with brain tumours!  I've now stopped taking my beta-blockers as I do feel alot better, although I do still have the shakes which scare me sometimes too - even though I try to tell myself that it's just the anxiety! If you ever want to talk/ask anything then please feel free to PM me as I know myself that it is a horrible thing to go through on your own! Shelley x

[Shelly438]

I know, I just cant concentrate, The thing that bothers me the most is the lump sensation in my throat I have it there all day everyday (apart from when i eat), whn I swallow tablets it feels like they are stuck, This then sends me all into a nother bloody panic diz waz! I mean I know it isnt getting stuck or i wouldnt be going to the topilet or id be vomiting etc!!!!!
What the brain can do to you has totally freaked me out..............>Why am I still convinced I have things that are wrong with me, I have an excellent GP I feel ok when I leave but its like I want to keep going back all day for reassurance.........She must be so sick of me!!!!!!!!

[nana902]

Hi Shelly.....I also know exactly what you are going through.  I am going to be 61 and I can't believe that I have anxiety.  I have so many of the same symptoms, its unreal. I've had the "lump" in my throat...nothing there!  Anxiety can do anything to you.  Its very powerful.  I am on Paxil and Clonapin when needed.  Gee...I only take it at bedtime to help me relax and go to sleep but I wish I could take it 3 times a DAY!..Sometimes I'm shaky...my hands and feet a cold.  All anxiety...to look at me you would think that I am the "rock "  but not inside.

My mother was very controlling when I was a young teen.  She went through "phases" were she would not talk to me for weeks.  No one would "intervene" and I really think these emotions are from way back there.  I understand you completely..only if you are in these shoes do you completely understand...and I do.  We need to relax more....and it seems I can't...we need to say "no" more..and I don't and we need to be easier on ourselves.  I feel like my shoulders are up to my neck half the time...tense.  I hate all of this too.  So....write back....Nana

[Shelly438]

Hi Nana

Yeah the lump in the throat is the worse..............Then I start thinking Oh God maybe its Gerd or a hernia and the GP hasnt picked up on it etc etc, I will drive myself insane.
I try to comvince myself that if I really had a problem then i wouldnt be able to eat, drinlk etc but hey ho good old anxiety hey!
I feel at my wits end, I feel like I wanna give up, Every night i go to bed and think, its ok ill be better tomorrow and its starts all over again as soon as I have swallowed the tablet ........The lump is back!...............................

[nana902]

Don't ever give up!!  I think it will get better.  We just need to hang in there. Here's a big hug for you.  Now we will just try to relax!!!!!  Yeah....we did it!!!!!!  Nana

[Beewoman]

Shelly,
The PPI drugs can have a very bad side affect of "anxiety", oh yes!  I was put on Reglan, which is used for acid reflux on a drip and it completely freaked me out big time, I had the biggest panic attack I have ever had in my life!!!!!  That was 2 months ago and I am just getting better now.

Therefore if you are continuing to take the PPI drugs they may be maintaining this feeling of anxiety in you.  Please check this with your doctor and before hand check on the internet under your drug name and check for side affects, you will be very surprised by some of the information that comes out from the forums and support groups of others who have had similar experiences from these drugs and who in the end prefered the heart burn than the anxiety!

Go on www.drugtalk.com and type in your medication name and see what comes up from other people taking the same thing.

Let me know how you get on...

[Shelly438]

Yes I have another Doctors appointment tomorrow, Im going to ask to come off them now as I think maybe the acid etc is actually being caused by the anxiety...........(well i dunno) Maybe its these tablets that are causing the metal tasting burps (that only happends in the morning on empty stomach) I wish I could click my fingers and this misery be over..................The lump in the throat is driving me mad almost insane....Surley if this was GERD it would get worse when i eat right? My symtoms (symptoms) dissapear when i eat..............

[Pum]

The lump in the throat is almost certainly anxiety. Ask your GP about whether she thinks you might need an anti-depressant. Tell them all about how you are relieved by her reassurance but it only lasts a little while then the intrusive thoughts come back. Mention whether this is affecting your sleeping, your apetite, your relationships or your worklife. All that will help her decide if you need any medication.

Good luck. Even if you did have GERD (and I suspect not) it's not that bad a thing to live with. Even a hernia is manageable. Be kind to yourself and eat soft foods. I feel like pills stick even now but the difference is that I just ignore the feeling and it goes away eventually.

[Shelly438]

Hello Huys well istarted taking Citroplam like two weeks ago only 10mg, and I upped the dosage to 20mg four days ago..................Ive just worken up and feel myself shaking.............Didnt take the reflux pill today so im going to see how I get on without that and try managing my anxiety as im sure this whole bad nerves issue is causing this too........................I pray

[fletch72]

Hi Shelly,
sorry to hear of your troubles.
Sounds like you are being patient with yourself and brave too.
I have  serious back pain and have had many treatments and similar things you are describing. feelings wise and meds.Valium,morphine,epidurals,pain patches,you name it!
I did a pain management course to help me become more in control.
Part of this course was CBT (Cognitive behaviour therypy.}
I still have pain.But the cbt has been so helpful in my life in general.
I helps you assess things in a realistic helpful and accurate way
It takes work and practice,but I am now medication free and at work,not only that but I am incontrol of the way I think in most areas in my life.Its not something you preech or can share easily.But there are courses.Hope you find this a helpful suggestion and I wish you all the best.