Hello all,
I have been reading here for months, but have not yet posted. I am just at the end of my rope...
For me, this all started in early 2006, although I didn't know it at the time. I had a spell of dizziness/vertigo when I was out shopping and felt like I was going to black out. I went to the Dr. and he told me it was due to a cold I had just gotten over, prescribed me Deconamine and sent me on my way. The meds helped and through the rest of the spring/summer and fall I was ok.
January 2007, I started having this full headed feeling and dizzy spells. I thought that it was perhaps due to my allergies. Went back to the Dr, he gave me more Deconamine, a prescription for Zyrtec and some Flonase. It helped a little, but I still was in misery most of the time. I would have such bad dizzy spells at work that I had to get up and walk quickly because I felt like I was going to faint.
March of 2007, the spells get worse. The Dr. finally exams my sinuses, he tells me that I have chronic sinusitis and severe allergies. They refer me to the allergist, but the allergist wanted me to go sans antihistamine for 3-4 days before my appointment and I just couldn't do that, I felt terrible enough with the medication. More decongestants, more antihistamines, a different allergy medication and an order to flush my sinuses with saline 3-4 times per day. Still no real improvement and at this time, my ears were starting to make all sorts of crazy noises, popping, etc when I laid down at night.
Over easter weekend last year, I had the first spell of shortness of breath. I laid down and just felt like I couln't breathe. I was actually terrified that I wouldn't make it through the night. My husband assured me that my breathing was fine, normal. But I felt like I couldn't take a full breath and it scared the heck out of me.
Back to the Dr., where they tell me that my allergies are triggering some very mild acute asthma I had as a child. They put me on Singulair and give me an albuterol inhaler.
It didn't help, at all. At this point I am on 4 different pills and an inhaler and I still feel like garbage. I started having palpitations and the feeling that my heart was racing. I let a week pass and had many more episodes of breathing difficulty, I went to the ER several times where they told me that my pulse ox was fine and my lungs were clear. Then why am I gasping for breath?
Back to the Dr. mid-April 2007, this time he tells me that he thinks I have mild viral pneumonia. He put me on inhaled steroids but tells me that I don't need antibiotics because it's viral. I still didn't notice a difference. My sinuses were constantly congested, my left ear felt full all of the time, more heart palpitations and breathing difficulties.
Finally, about a week after this, I felt acid in my throat for the first time and my esophagus was so swollen I could barely swallow. I did some research myself and realized that I had many symptoms of GERD. I began self treatment with Prilosec OTC and Zantac. Cut down on the caffeine. It worked a little.
I went back to the Dr and told them that I thought I had GERD, even though I didn't often feel a burning sensation. They put me on Nexium, and it seemed to help a bit. However, after a few months on Nexium, I felt as if I was constantly bloated, had a strange metallic taste in my mouth and was gaining weight.
I went off of the Nexium and have tried combatting the symptoms with Zantac 150. It was working pretty well, but now that my husband has deployed again to Iraq, I think my nerves are shot and the reflux seems to be kicking back in. The last two nights I have had palpitations and breathing difficulty at night. I am so tired, all of the time. I don't sleep well and my entire body aches at times. I still have the dizziness, the ear fullness and popping.
I guess I need to go back to the Dr. and get back on the Nexium and maybe an endoscopy. I am just so leary of Dr's because they seem to be able to help so little. I was misdiagnosed so many times, and all of the medications they had me on seems to have made the problem so much worse. Does anyone have any suggestions of other things I could try?

I am sorry for the book, but I just needed to vent. I have not felt "normal" for a year now, and I am truly at the end of my rope.

I no how you feel. I have the breathing and dizzy feeling for 1.5 years. I woke up this way. I have been to so many docters and still can't get answers. I am going today to a big nuerologist to see maybe he can help. I have lost my life as well. I can't drie because i feel dizzy and can't breath. I AM 35 years old and feel like I am so much older now. I hope all is well with your husband. It is nice to have people to vent to. But i wish we could find an end to this. I have a six year old who asks me every day for a baby and like this i couldn't even think of getting pregnant. I can't even enjoy my 6 year old.

I'm sorry that you are feeling so bad! I've been dealing with GERD for over a year now and I felt exactly the same way! Well, now days I'm feeling better. The last time I saw my Gastro doc was at the top of Dec. and I was feeling horrible! The chest pain, burn, ears burning,breathing issues and lump in throat were all bothering me at that time. My gastro doc asked me, what was stressing me out because stress can make it so much worse! I then told him that my other doc told me that I needed surgery which I didn't want to have and my doc said that I had to keep the stress level controlled or else I wouldn't get better! He also gave me a list of foods to avoid(tomato based foods,spicy, fried foods, caffeine, carbonated drinks, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices). I added fresh apples or apple sauce to my diet and now I feel that I'm starting to really feel much better!!

I sure hope that you can get a handle on this and start getting better.
Aleet7

Have you had an MRI of your sinus, head, chest?

I no this is not my post but i feel lthe same way and I no we are all out to help eachother. I have had an mri of all of the above and showed nothing. The one of the chest was 1.5 years ago when this first started.

njarmywife,

I know how you feel because I traveled the same roads you did for years before getting the right diagnoses and still wonder sometimes if it's right!
I never connected the vertigo to the GERD. The various symptoms one can experience that other's don't, the different foods some can eat and other's can't, the meds that might help one but not another is all so confusing. I've had this 10 yrs and feel like it certainly changed the quality of my life for the worse! I really wonder if something else is going on? Actually the Dr's don't even know what's happening or why.

Chalupa,

I hope you get some answers soon. I'm seriously doubting all your problems are caused by reflux and especially with getting no better results with any of the meds. I'm really worried about you with your breathing problems and now dizziness. I think I'd try and take another step above your last Dr. or gastro. I know you are frustrated but you're too young to stop trying to find out what the real problem (or problems) are. Good luck and let us know the results of your appt.

Charla

I am so glad to know that I am not alone in my frustrations regarding this awful condition. It just seems sometimes like the Dr's just throw darts at a board to see where they will land.
I am determined to get better, and I will demand an MRI if someone thinks that will help.
It just seems sad to me that we have to diagnose ourselves. I know my Dr, when I finally mentioned GERD, finally looked at my throat and said "Oh, you do have some irritation back there." Why couldn't they put all of my symptoms together before that? I think that they over medicated me and that is part of the reason I ended up like this.
It has truly effected my life, my kids and my marriage. I am 36 years old and sometimes feel 90.
Thanks for the replies, I will continue to read here for more ideas.

I think the reason I'm so bad is because I was diagnosed with so many other things before they hit upon this. Maybe if I hadn't gone so long without the correct treatment, I could get well. I know all the other meds (including steriods) certainly didn't help the situation.

Charla

Hugs to you with what you have been going through. I can totally relate! I have been having a tough time w/my health for the past year myself. I also feel I have GERD symptoms combined w/anxiety. It sounds to me that you may also be having combined symptoms as well. You have a lot going on, especially w/the situation w/your husband. Lately, I've been having more bad days than good. I also get palpitations, flutterings in my chest and throat, tightness in my chest, burping, acid taste in throat, feeling like I can't get a breath. It stinks! I take Xanax as needed for the anxiety. It is not working as well as it did. I recently had a physical and all my blood work, blood pressure, etc. checked out fine. My dr. told me to take Prilosec...she said I can take it as long as three months. Have I done this, no, becuase the box cautions about using this med w/anxiety meds. I know I should just call the dr. or pharmacist to be sure. I really have to try something to see how much of these symptoms are related to GERD. I am also thinking of going to a gastro since I do have a history of gastro problems.

You are not alone! I'm only 39 and also feel like I'm 90 some days. It's insane! I just want to feel better and enjoy life again with my family too! I hope you feel better!

hi,
My heart goes out to you, everything that is happening to you has happened to me, but my doctor put me on antidepressants thinking it was anxiety. in saying that i do get very anxious when the shortness of breath happens and it seems to take me ages to get over it. im on nexium and i take motillium, the motillium seems to stop the spasms and bloating, but im sick of taking tablets. Im a single mother <removed> and this problem is affecting my home life with my daughter and my work, i constantly feel sick therefore i have no interest in study. I went out for a meal last night it was fabulous, but within an hour of being home i got palpitations, sweating, wind, feeling sick, and my stomach bloated so much that i looked 8 months pregnant. I wish i had some good advice for you but i dont, i just read peoples messages here and it makes me feel like im not going mad!!! good luck.;)

I wish for this new year we could all find an answer to this. I never had a problem before i woke up this way. I want to wake up and this all to be gone.

Its amazing how much this disorder can ruin lives! Im at the end of my rope as well with the racing heart/bloating/gas and panicky feeling from it all. Im only 33 and have aged 1000 years because of this. I too cannot enjoy my own children. I have missed out on SO much because of this, that I am adding guilt to my list of digestive issues. I can't even hold down a job because of it and can barely leave my house. I feel trapped. Im damned if I do and damned if I don't. Its hard to keep your chin up with these feelings. If anyone has found the "magic cure", please share! You could very well make millions!!! :)

I'm right there with you Tigger,

I never EVER feel good anymore. Constantly worrying about why I feel so bad all the time - constantly preoccupied with my health and trying to figure out "what's wrong with me" - hoping to find the answer before my conditions become irreversible. Terrifying.

Acid reflux, chest and back pain, pressure and tightness, and constant breathing problems - not to mention terrible medication side effects.

I wish and pray for a cure for us ALL....

I've had GERD for 11 years and I've been through all the pills. Protonix is what I take now which works for me. But I have had to start taking Klonopin and Celexa. I was constantly panicking because I thought my GERD meds were not working. The GERD meds were working but I was having panic attacks every time my stomach felt funny or I felt a little burn in my throat. My symptoms were so bad that I thought I was going to die because I couldn't breathe normally. I thought at first that taking anxiety meds was crazy because it wasn't in my head. But they do work. I don't take strong doses that make me feel funny (20mg). But it definitely works for me. It may not work for everyone but I know that being stressed about how my stomach felt made my GERD worse....and the meds I started got rid of it all with little to no side effects.

did the breathing problem go away

I just want to add to all of this what I have learned over the years...I have had gerd for 10 years...since about the age of 16. Meds have helped me manage it well, and I have lived a very normal college/20 something lifestyle considering. Just recently it got a lot worse, and I realize now that it got worse bc I started to try to get off the meds....tried cutting from 40mg once a day to nothing. I DO NOT recommend doing this if you have taken the pills for 5+ years like me bc it will be very painful and set you back VERY BADLY. Through this recent struggle I have been asking myself what has changed to make it so bad. I realize now what has changed was that it has become the focus of my daily life. Im stressed, anxious, etc etc. It is a known fact that stress, anxiety, etc will indeed make this issue ten times worse than it needs to be. I do not take anti anxiety or antidepressant ( I have in the past for other reasons) but a lot of docs have recommended them and are starting to see a HUGE connection between stress and anxiety and gerd. I have relaxed a lot in the last couple weeks. I have been exercising, meditating, and trying to eat well too. I feel 95% better. I have reduced my dose of nexium to 20 mg and its working fine. I take better care of myself and things are looking good and Im staying positive. We are all here for a reason and we need to start listening to our bodies. This is a NEW "disease". We didnt all always have this! I believe 100% that it can be healed, but not by a magic pill, and hopefully not by major surgery. Please do not underestimate the impact of your thoughts on the way you feel. I believe they are more powerful sometimes then what we put into our bodies. I want everyone here to feel better!! Sorry for the long winded post, but I have been dealing with this for a long time and hope that my thoughts and what has worked for me can inspire some people to change their thinking and feel better. Best of luck to all :)

Jade,
thank you for sharing that with us! I've been dealing with GERD for about a year and a half and I find that in some way I think about it everyday! I can feel great for about two weeks and then my throat is hoarse, my ear is popping and everything seems to start all over again! My doc told me that I don't have to take Prevacid every day. When I stop, the acid reflux comes back with a vengeance! What you said about stress and anxiety playing a key role in this is powerful! I know that I feel much better when I manage stress! This is really something to take into consideration!

Aleet7

Thank you Jade!

Your post is truly inspirational. I was told the same thing by my doctor - twice - GERD gets worse if the meds are stopped. I am in no position to prove him right or wrong, as I work with people on daily basis and it's BAD ENOUGH as it is!

thank you once again!

I keep remembering why I keep taking the meds when I feel they aren't working but now it dawned me why. It comes back with a vengence! I'm also afraid of the C word. I totally agree that it is a mechanical problem but know first hand that stress will do you in. Sometimes, I think it's the cause of all illness.

Charla

Although I put this on my post I thought I would add it here also. I have been miserable. So I went to the doctors yesturday. I have gerd but have not been on anything in awhile. So she maintains the reflux is acting up & is trying me on prevacid, which is one I have never really been on. She also gave me a script for Ranitidine which I believe is the same as Zantac. The doc said out of all these meds which are pretty much the same she takes the Zantac. Which you have to take faithfully. So if no relief from the Prevacid I am to take the other. Also since I am going for shoulder surgery I told her I probably will not eat much or at all for a few days, which I barely eat now. She said all these meds are kind of activated by food so if you don't eat you are cutting the ability of them working in half, so after surgery I am to take the Ranitidine because it does not work the exact way as the rest but it has to be taken faithfullt day & night.
Now here is a point she made after surgery if this is still a problem with the waking up sick with the palpatations & all that she will put me on something to relax me before bed, she did say that anxiety & stress will with out a doudt cause all this to act up. Also said that she has had alot of people come in with breathing problems caused by having reflux they did not know they had. I had a heck of a time before getting my breathing uner control so I hope these meds work. Some of the meds I have taken in the past such as nexium were just to strong for me, which she said happens often to. Now my insurance would not cover the Ranitdine, I believe because of the Zantac being avaliable over the counter, but it only cost me 4.00, which is sure cheaper then buying the Zantac, especially when I have to take it twice aday. This is pretty much a repeat of what I put in the other post, but I hope it helps someone out (including me,ha). I should know in a few days. Good luck, I feel for you all. Sammy

Hi Sammy,

I truly hope that the Zantac starts working for you quickly - please let us all know. I have never tried Zantac (just Pepcid A/C and Prilosec OTC - and they did not work well) -- I would be willing to give Zantac a try.

I could see where anxiety would contribute - being upset and in pain would certainly increase anxiety - I can see where some medication for that may help.

Best of luck to you with your surgery etc.

Has your breathing been a problem since the acid started acting up again?

Thanks,

Vanessa

Hi would someone be kind enough to tell me how you get dizziness from havign gerd please or is it due to anxiety? Cheers

I keep remembering why I keep taking the meds when I feel they aren't working but now it dawned me why. It comes back with a vengence! I'm also afraid of the C word. I totally agree that it is a mechanical problem but know first hand that stress will do you in. Sometimes, I think it's the cause of all illness.

Charla

Oooh Charla, you said something so significant....stress is the cause of all illness!!!!! Wow...I'm in agreement with you on this! My doc told me to manage my stress better or suffer the consequences! I'm like ok, exactly how do I accomplish this? Anyway, I did find that when I don't let stress control me, then I feel so much better! Also even when we take the meds and it doesn't seem like it's working, hopefully it is still allowing our esophagus's to heal. I have to believe that it's doing something even if I don't feel it working.
I hope we all get some relief....soon!
Aleet7

Hi would someone be kind enough to tell me how you get dizziness from havign gerd please or is it due to anxiety? Cheers

I just had an episode of dizziness today. I find that I get dizzy when there is gas trapped, LITERALLY, between my breast bone, at the end of my esophagus and beginning of my stomach. It is an odd feeling and hard to completely describe, but until I burp and get rid of that "lump" feeling, have a bowel movement, or pass gas, I remain dizzy and its very scary. I will tell you one thing though, if it scares you to the point of an anxiety or panic attack, it makes it WAY worse. Breathing deeply is very important and even more important, trying to get that gas bubble out!!!! I feel better once that is done. Is it just me or does anybody else go through this? I hate it!! It makes me afraid to travel to far from the house, just in case it happens in public and I freak out.

Tigger...be honest here...did you always have panic/anxiety in your life? I think rather than gerd causing the panic, maybe the panic is causing the gerd??? It can be a very confusing situation! But, I'll put money down that if you address the anxiety/panic rather than the gerd, the gerd symptoms will diminish. I speak from experience...so it is worth looking into. I hope this helps. If you have NEVER suffered from panic or anxiety in your past then perhaps my theory is totally wrong, but for me I believe it was the other way around. It just took me a loonggg time to get it. Good luck.

I have been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks for 10 years. Im VERY familiar with them. It could work either way though. It could be anything causing the GERD, but stressing and getting anxious about it, sure doesn't help it one bit! Or, you're right, it could very well be the anxiety causing it. Regardless, its annoying and frustrating. The two go hand-in-hand, I s'pose. Stress isn't good for ANY illness. Aside from the medication, Im working on my stress and anxiety. Its a matter of positive affirmations and the whole mind-over-matter thing. Too bad this didn't pass as quickly as a cold would! Ughh.

I agree with Tigger - I think it could go either way.

For me the symptoms and not feeling well brought on the panic/anxiety - as month after month went by with no relief, no answers, and feeling awful - my panic and anxiety grew.

Now they go hand in hand :confused:

Vanessa & all, I am currently trying the prevacid, which I will give a few more days before going to the zantac. I have that pain and like something is kind of stuck between my rib cage. It is driving me crazy. I could feel it starting last night with just the throbbing feeling in the esophagus stomach area so I stayed in the recliner before going to bed. I could just feel my breathing being affected which is why I went to the doctor. I supposably have asthma sometimes I wonder if it is all this. All I know is I went through along period of not being able to breathe or even eat & don't want that again. I am on my monthly & I have feeling that is making all this worse. We will see. All of this is god awful, but I am trying not to let it take over my life as I did before. Heck I hardly eat right now so perhaps it is stress related. It is indeed hard to believe all this can cause us to feel so terrable & panicky. I can identify with that, went through not wanting to go out at all because of all this crap. I have a couple doctors & pharmacists tell me everyone reacts different to every medication so I hope one of these works for me. I am also going to try some peppermint oil, which I read can help the esophagus if it is spasms. Went to get some & they had sold the last bottle. Something has to help. But all in all I agree stress is a big factor at the same time this thing can cause alot of stress & anxiety. I also have learned to do the deep breathing. Here is to hoping we all find something that works. Sammy

In the "Digestive Disorders" message board, there is a thread on the use of magnesium for GERD. It is at the very top of the page. It has been locked because it got too long and its by "bluepumpkin". You should take the time to ready it, if you can. My fiance is going after work to buy me some. Im going to give it a shot and see what happens. A lot of people have been swearing by it and say that it has worked better for them than any antacid and that they have felt better up to 100% better. It is worth a shot.

Thanks guys very helpful post l can relate with alot of it xx

Hi All :)

I read the Magnesium post and tried it - I could not stay on it long because it caused me to have 'd' - after only taking 250 MG (straight magnesium) for three days. I guess my body must have enough magnesium???

I know though that there is Magnesium in antiacid tablets (tums, rolaids, etc.) - is that the same thing?

I guess the thing that bothers me the MOST about the GERD/Reflux is the CONSTANT and CHRONIC breathing problems. I just do not GET IT. Like you Sammy I have also been diagnosed with asthma (though my PFT's are normal)?? I understand about the acid splashing over into the lungs etc. - but what about during the day when you are sitting straight up and having breathing problems? I tried Prilosec - too many side effects, pepcid (did not help). I have Prevacid and am scared to try it. I hate suffering like this everyday - and always wondering in the back of my mind - is it really ASTHMA or is it ACID????

Good luck to all - at least we are in this together!

I hope that doesn't happen to me, lol. I have enough problems as it is. I don't eat well AT ALL. Im lactose intolerant to boot and don't take any vitamins regularly, so Im sure Im lacking in every vitamin known to man. I don't know how I stand some days. And when Im "able" to eat, I still don't eat as well as I should, thats for sure. I feel like I not only have acid/bloating/gas issues, but some sort of digestive issue too. Unless, it all goes hand-in-hand? Probably.

I hope and PRAY that it works for you Tigger - maybe that will be all you need.

I do feel as if all these issues go hand in hand - I think it starts up and moves it way down :) Hard to want to 'eat good' when you don't feel well all the time huh :)

I took the first one this evening. It says to take 1 twice a day and they are 100mg each. Supposedly the recommended daily dose of magnesium is 320mg. I will keep you posted on whether or not it works. I pray it does too! Thanks! :)

I just found this board last night, but I'm having similar issues to the rest of you. Just went hunting last night for any recourse, because I've about given up on the doctors.

Can someone describe to me the dizziness? I too have had this problem, and my doctor just said it was acute vertigo (basically vertigo for no reason). But now it sounds like it could be the GERD.

I don't have it all the time, but it seems to come in waves. I had a really bad spell after my daugther was born 2 years ago. I was in a store and just felt like the room was spinning. By the time I got home I could barely get in the house, and had to lay on the couch and keep my eyes closed just to cope. I was out of commision about a week. They switched my HBP med, and I haven't been as bad since.

Still, I have periods of issues. It feels like I'm very disoriented, sometimes like I just can't fix my eyes on things. I occasionally have spells, almost like spasms where I feel like I'm falling and want to grab something, but it usually goes as fast as it comes.

Could this too be caused by GERD? I've known the impact on my life for a while, but never put together the vertigo plus the recent development of palpatations as being caused by it as well.

good news!! I had GERD for years until I discovered Dr. Robert O Young info on the pH miracle. By drinking 3 liters a day of ionized alkaline water of high pH that neutralizes stomach acid. I have not had a flare up in months. Just ****** ion4life.

I am the OP of this thread, and although it's only been a few weeks since I started this thread, it seems like a lifetime ago.

Since I moved home while my husband is deployed, I had to change Dr's, and now have a civilian Dr.
I had to go in a few weeks ago for an appointment to get my prescriptions and this Dr actually took about 20 minutes and actually listened to me. He asked me when the GERD started and if anything significant had happened in my life around then. Well, in fact, it started shortly after I lost my mother in 2006 and has progressively gotten worse since then.

He then told me that he feels my digestive issues may be attributed to depression and anxiety due to the death of my mom, work stressors and my husbands deployment and being gone so much, leaving me with our 3 children.
He explained to me how stress and anxiety affect the body, and asked me to try a very low dosage of an antidepressant/anti-anxiety medication, just to see if it helped at all. I reluctantly agreed, even though I thought he was nuts. I didn't feel depressed, at all. But out of my desperation to stop the pain of the GERD, I am willing to try anything.

Guess what? It is working! I can't quite believe it, but it is working. I have not had any flareups of my GERD for 2 weeks, and I just started back on Nexium 3 days ago. I have no idea if this is the case for everyone or even most of us, bit it appears to be the case for me. I can lay down at night and actually go to sleep without breathing problems, or pain.

So, for now I am taking 40 mg of Nexium every day, he at least wants me on this for 6 months to help heal the damage to my esophagus and ensure that I don't have too much acid in my system.
I am also taking a very small dose, 30 mg of Cymbalta and have Xanax on an as needed basis. I have only taken it a few times right before bed to help with the anxiety, which is really just a fear of breathing problems.

I am also drinking 2 oz of Aloe Vera juice 2x per day to help heal my esophagus.

I am sharing this in the hopes that maybe it will help someone else. It's amazing the mind/body connection when it comes to our health. I am certainly not saying that I am cured, but for the first time in 14 months, I feel as though I am on the right track.

njarmywife,

It is good to hear you have found something that works for you. I thought about asking my doctor for something for the anxiety, but have long been suspicious of mood/mind altering drugs.

Have you noticed any negative side effects of taking the meds?

No, I really haven't noticed any ill effects from the medication. Other than a bit of nausea when I first started the Cymbalta, which only lasted a few days. And the Xanax makes me sleepy, but I only take it at bed time so that's not a huge issue.

I, like you, was extremely leary of taking anything that was for "mental issues", it was embarassing! Yet, I had gotten to the point where my life was so miserable, I felt terrible each and every day and felt I was living a half life- that I was willing to try anything. I did not expect it to work as well as it did, in fact, I didn't expect it to work at all. I wish it was so simple for everyone, and I know that it's not and it is in fact another issue I have to deal with.
But, at least I know that it's saving my marriage and my kids are a lot happier, having a mom that is willing to get out and do things rather than just laying around the house all the time.

I wonder now, with the occurences of GERD just increasing by huge numbers every year, if our high stress lives have something to do with it? One thing I have realized in dealing with this condition, is that sometimes you have to think outside of the box.
"Take a PPI and call me in the morning" doesn't work for most people, I think you have to be persistent in making your physician help you to find a solution.

Good Luck!

I agree with you, I think the high stress plus "fast food" diets is a lot of it. I mean, if you look at what is in most fast or microwave foods, it isn't food at all, just a combination of chemicals that shouldn't ever enter our bodies. [end of rant :D]

Anyway, thanks for the reply. Glad you found something, and I hope you continue to have good luck.

NJ Army,

I am so glad that you are feeling better - that is FANTASTIC!! I love to read these success stories - keeps me from completely losing hope.

Is your breathing better? I sure hope so - God Bless You and I hope you have continued good health!

Vanessa:)

I must agree with the mind/body and stress connection. I got SO fed up with feeling horrible and being scared of my symptoms that, about a week ago, I totally changed my attitude towards things. I've been looking at the glass as half full and finding joy in the little things again and my symptoms have been fading. Instead of fearing them, I breath through them now and tell myself I am fine. Its been helping A LOT. I too, wouldn't say Im "cured", but it feels manageable now and I hope it just keeps progressing from here. :)

I most definantly think that stress is related to all this, & my doc. confirmed that to. Sometimes I think you just have to say ok I can do this. I know it is hard & at night when the old heart is racing & all the scary stuff is taking place it seems impossable but lets face it anxiety is going to make everything worse. My doc. told me after I get over surgery it would probalby be best to take something at bedtime to help relax & head off this problem, especially during stressful times. Life alone can be stressful then you get the reflux thing going & boom. I will let you all know as I put in another post that my problem has calmed somewhat after finishing up my monthly cycle, so now I dread next month. I am going to try some alternatives after surgery like the magnessium. Anything beats going through all that. Last night I was upset & nervous on top of that about surgery & as I was falling asleep I could feel it trying to act up, I knew right there & then that being upset & anxious was making it all worse. So I for one am going to be doing alot of deep breathing & talking to myself to try to control my anxiety level. I am so haapy for you that you are enjoying life more, you can't let this control your life as hard as it is at times, we can't go back & get the days that we lost but we can try to make up for it in the future, especially for our families. Sammy