HELP, I think I am going crazy! - Digestive Disorders Message Board

sherrie · 04-17-2003, 04:43 PM

I don't know what to do anymore. Recently whenever I ate a fatty meal I would get heartburn- tightness, burning in the chest esp. at night when lying down. I told a friend who is also a doctor about this and said that it only comes when I eat something heavy otherwise I am fine. He said just to prophylax before eating a heavy meal with zantac or something and as long as you are not getting it on a constant basis irrespective of what you eat, you are fine. Since he told me that, I got worried that I could get it even if I ate a small meal. And thats exactly what happened - now I get it regardless of what I eat!!! What the heck. Is this just psychosomatic, me tricking myself to believe I am having heartburn OR is it really heartburn? Please someone shed some light. I feel so bad now.

Samuelemouse · 04-17-2003, 09:36 PM

Learn to relax. Anxiety will make your heartburn worse if that is what you have. Yes, there is a mind/body link. You can break it if you want. Ignore the problem as much as you can. The more you focus on it, the more likely you will have the mind/body problem.

sherrie · 04-18-2003, 02:16 AM

Hi Sameulmouse,
thanks for your advice... So do you think that the anxiety is making the already existing heartburn worse or is it just creating similar symptoms of HB but not actually HB?? Also what do you mean by mind/body link?

[This message has been edited by sherrie (edited 04-18-2003).]

kat721 · 04-19-2003, 11:27 AM

Sherrie, Sometimes, consistent episodes of discomfort
is the bodys way of communicating.
Maybe you ARE just anxious.
However, if you have conscious concern then it is important to listen to your body and seek medical help.
I'm sure your Doctor friend has the right answer on a certain level.
However, if your friend has not done a full examination of your body or imaging tests or blood work, then it's possible that your friend might be making a judgment before exploring all possibilities.
Sometimes it's prudent to get connected with a Doctor of specialty who can offer guidence for day to day self care.
Heart Burn can be a symptom of a wide variety of medical problems. Not just nerves.
In the instance that you problem could be nerves then working with a professional on some level to help you with your anxiousness might be the next course of action.
However, investigate the physical unit first.
I know I was told many many things about my Gastrointestinal problems having a basis in my flawed thinking and anxiousness.
However, 3 surgeries and many Doctors later we found very real organic conditions that contributed to my Gastrointestinal discomfort as well as my anxiousness.
Once we got my blood sugar to stop dropping to the coma levels a lot of my anxious feelings went away.
It's amazing how much an organic problem can influence the whole emotional foundation.
The goal is getting better.
I think it's wise to explore all medical avenues in the attempt to bring your body out of distress.
kat

lckwp · 04-27-2003, 02:26 AM

I'm confused, why has nobody mentioned that these are possible gallbladder symptoms?

And just because someone feels like they're going crazy because of their digestive issues doesn't mean it's all in their head.
There could be a serious problem.