Anxiety and Acid Reflux

So I’ve had anxiety for a few years now and it’s been taking a physical toll on my health. Recently, I’ve been getting some bad acid reflux and heartburn. This has been especially difficult for me considering my anxiety centers around a phobia of vomiting. I usually can’t leave the house without antacids, and my doctor just prescribed me to Prevacid. I’m really nervous to start taking it because I know it’s stronger than my normal OTC Zantac and I’m debating taking it out of fear of making me nauseous. Has anyone else been through this or knows the side effects? Anything helps.

Puzzled323 wrote:I’m debating taking it out of fear of making me nauseous

If it makes you nauseous, did you talk to your doctor about what to do? I always find it helps my anxiety about medications if I have a plan to get off of new medications before I start taking them. That way, if the new medication gives side effects that I don't want, I'm confident with how to safely stop taking it and that in turn makes me feel more confident to try the new medication. Would an approach like that possibly help you?

It's not good you are having these problems. Hopefully the Prevacid or something else will help you.

Hey there,

To be frank, I can't really provide you with any real suggestions--but know that you're not alone. I've had anxiety for years now, and - concurrently - massive stomach/gastrointestinal and digestive issues. Sometimes I get so bloated that I could pass as ~4 months pregnant--it's SO painful and makes me very agitated and self-conscious (particularly seeing as how I still have lingering body image issues). Lately, I've noticed that acid will occasionally come up into my throat (sometimes with small particles of food). I hate all of it. It's uncomfortable--and embarrassing when in public.

If you find a solution or some sort of palliative measure, please let me know. Best of luck to you--and I'm sorry that I couldn't be of more help :/



~aquamarine

Count me in as having loads of reflux problems because of anxiety. I shudder to think what a doctor would find if he looks down there- years now of heartburn, reflux, etc., sometime choking on the stuff when it comes up. It's rough. Sometimes I'll take OTC prilosec, when it's extra bad. I'm trying to cut back a little on how much I eat (I could lose some pounds anyway). Sometimes when my anxiety's really bad, I just keep a bottle of antacid handy and sip on it all day.

Acid reflux, IBS, etc. A lot of anxiety can be expressed through the gut. I treat the reflux symptomatically since I don't have it that often, but I need to be careful with what I eat, because that + stress can cause a lot of trouble with...the toilet.

Tell me about it. I think I hover on the verge of IBS half the time.