can stomach pain caused from anxiety cause permanent damage?

[rlm4949]

In 1980, I was diagnosed with an ulcer.  It has caused mild discomfort over the years, and occasionally anxiety would cause pain in my stomach.  The pain would always clear up quickly and never linger more than a day or two.  Usuall symptoms would be pain across my stomach and sides and sometimes back pain as well.
    About six weeks ago I suffered a rare anxiety attack, which caused the usuall pain, but silghtly more significant, as well as irritable bowel syndrome.  My doctor gave me nexium for stomach pain, and the bowel problem cleared up on their own within a few days.  Within a couple weeks the stomach pain also cleared up and i  discontinued using the nexium.  
     All was well until a week ago, when i had some anixety over another matter.  I began to get severe pain and soreness in my stomach from one side to the other.  I also have pain across my sternum, pain in my solarplexis area, and back pain.
     I called my doctor who gave a me a new prescription for nexium, and i'm taking antacids as well.  This is the most significant pain ive ever had from anxiety.  It hurts to bend over, or walk.  I also occasionally feel nauseated.  The aniety has eased up and most of the pain across my stomach is better, but i still have pain in my sloarplexis area and under my ribs, and some back pain.
     I have an appontment to see my doctor in a few days.
     Is it possible that the acid causing this pain, has caused permanent damage to my stomach lining? Will the area of pain in my solarplexis heel soon?  What is the best course of treatment?    Thank you rlm4949

[nancib]

Your symptoms are "exactly" like mine, Rim...they have even followed nearly the same course, timewise.  After myriad tests and a biopsy of the small intestine, the diagnosis was Celiac disease. Your misery will go away completely on a "strict" gluten free diet.  This has nothing whatsoever to do with anxiety; first you have Celiac.  Having Celiac does not cause anxiety, but normal anxiety often triggers the symptoms.  If Celiac is not treated by going on the strict gluten free diet, it will eventually cause a life threatening illness.  Celiacs, without the diet restrictions, have twice the mortality rate of the general population.  A conservative figure for the prevalence of Celiac is 1 person in 200--some experts believe it's as high as 1 in one hundred.

[nancib]

Your symptoms are "exactly" like mine...they have even followed nearly the same course, timewise.  After myriad tests and a biopsy of the small intestine, the diagnosis was Celiac disease. Your misery will go away completely on a "strict" gluten free diet.  This has nothing whatsoever to do with anxiety; first you have Celiac.  Having Celiac does not cause anxiety, but normal anxiety often triggers the symptoms.  If Celiac is not treated by going on the strict gluten free diet, it will eventually cause a life threatening illness.  Celiacs, without the diet restrictions, have twice the mortality rate of the general population.  A conservative figure for the prevalence of Celiac is 1 person in 200--some experts believe it's as high as 1 in one hundred.

[lizziecee]

Acid reflux can lead to Barrett's syndrome and cancer of the oesophagus. We have a maintenance guy at the apt block we live in who used to be a tiler and was used to working on his knees.
He got cancer of the oesophagus, which has thankfully been treated successfully, and some 8 yrs later is doing fine. I would suggest you see a gastroenterologist and have an upper endoscopy to rule this out. Take care.Liz.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Prolonged acid reflux can lead to more permanent conditions.  Evaluation with an upper endoscopy should be considered to look for this possibility, as well as ulcers or inflammation.

If negative, further testing can be considered with an ultrasound or CT scan - which can evaluate the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.

More specialized tests can be considered with a 24-hr pH study or gastric emptying scan.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_