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From: to Kathy
Remote Name: 152.163.189.167
Date: 10/26/02
Time: 07:55:30 PM
Dear Kathy, I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. Maybe you can get one of the doctors to give you an anti-anxiety drug such as xanax which might even have the added effect of lowering some of the reflux, according to research by stuart shipko md and testimonies on this board. Sounds like you could use some help with the anxiety and an antidepressant will take a while to work whereas a xanax type of anxiety medication is really FAST. So please ask your doctor about that, you mentioned difficulty breathing, did you know acid reflux can cause that for some people? So can reactions to medications and so can ANXIETY. SO I think it's important for you to find a acid medication you can take to help with your heartburn pain and possibly difficulty breathing from acid. Have you tried Prevacid? You could ask your doctor about trying a NEW PPI instead of the one you are on if you are afraid of that cerain one causing effects. Try to figure out if the difficulty breathing is part of your anxiety and panic profile, everyone is different, but it can be one of the symptoms. However again it can be acid in the airway, either narrowing the vocal cords or causing an asthma type response in the lungs etc. My best advice to you is try to find some medications which you can tolerate without bad effects to get your anxiety and acid under control as much as possible. Tell the doctor if he or she wants to go the antidepressant route for antianxiety treatment that you are in a crisis and may need at least temporary treatment with xanax or something similar until the antidepressant kicks in -- if necessary print out some of the literature off the net about xanax helping reduce bile reflux, you can research STUART SHIPKO MD on the net for that information or refer the doctor to that research and keep trying till you find a doctor who listens to you and will work with you. Last suggestion -- do you have a counselor who specializes in panic and anxiety treatment? If you dont have insurance, most major hospitals have sliding scales and even free care grants for people who qualify. Nobody should be without support. They might have a good group or offer 1-1 counseling; and there are great programs out there like 12 step meetings which are free and anonymous to get some extra support from too such as ALANON. You can look that up in your local phone book or newspaper under meetings. I wish the best for you and your husband and I hope you get the support and help that you deserve. One thing at a time and first things first... get some medication for the heartburn and the panic and get some counseling or other support on your side and it will make things more bearable and hopeful ok? Hang in there and let us know how you are doing.