Reflux? It's all in your head! - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

NYCman · 07-05-2009, 12:41 PM

How much of Acid Reflux/GERD is psychological rather than physical? How would you answer that question based on your experiences?

P.S.-I have GERD too, and I'm not trying to make light of the condition. I'm just wondering.

MountainReader · 07-05-2009, 02:41 PM

I don't feel that my reflux symptoms were psychological at all. I would suggest that having constant symptoms can be physically and mentally draining as time goes on. Dealing with it for months and years on end can certainly have a psychological aspect.

Why I think so: My reflux is "silent" (no heartburn or 'typical' symptoms). I don't even know when I'm refluxing much of the time. I had a chronic cough that is also the same symptom as 3 other conditions (asthma, allergies, PND) that I have. It wasn't until I found out through repeat testing that I had extremely severe reflux that was happening throughout the majority of the day. Even using homeopathic strategies and being on twice per day PPI's, reflux was triggering my asthma by irritating my lungs and being aspirated into my lungs. My reflux became literally life threatening last year and nothing I did made a difference. I have excessive stomach acid production and an extremely weak LES. Those things are pure physical.

TEdds83 · 07-05-2009, 03:01 PM

I have to agree with Mountain Reader. I don't think there is anything made up in the head about it. Mine is pure physical and can be quite scary at times and a plain ole nuisance!

CharBerry · 07-06-2009, 04:12 AM

I used to wonder (after many years) if I was continuing symptoms out of habit but after keeping journal found that for no reason whatsoever, some days were just bad. Nothing really to contribute to. Just flat wake up coughing, unable to breath, everything I ate felt stuck or refluxed. I almost wish it were in my head and maybe get help that would rid me of these problems but afraid they are very physical. Not to say that these don't put you into a panic phase, which could be in your head.

CharBerry

painter207 · 07-06-2009, 08:06 PM

I think my problems surfaced from nothing more than stress. Last year i went through breast cancer and with all the testing and CT scans and the 'whys' and the reasons for the body feeling the way it does put me into an anxiety mode like I couldn't believe. Everyone always called me 'iron gut' so this was highly unusual for all this back pain and mucus etc. Didn't have much heartburn just went straight for the throat. i think it happened during the night. When I woke upI could feel the gurgling in my throat. Ike!
Now my paitients is getting the best of me. I am soo impatient and frustrated.
Did anyone get cured to feeling like you normaly did?