I JUST now went through a horrible anxiety attack, took meds and now coming down from it, shaking, change in breathing, feeling of passing out, out of control. My body shakes and i Pace. We just had a horrible storm go through, not normally afarid of storms, so I can not figure out what is causing these. My heart rates goes up enormously. I have ended up in the ER a dozen time and they give me a shot to calm me down, one time I got sobad, they thought I was having a drug problem, i was shaking uncontrolable. After these attacks are over, my chest burns and i have so much coming back up in my throat. I take xanax when needed. It do not end up in the er anymore, because I stay calm and quote scripture over myself. I did find a doctor who gave me a natural substance to take for several months, I went 3 months with NO heartburn or pain or sore throats, ect. .... i ran out of it and within a week , it started back. i AM CALLING him tomorrow to get more. It is suppose to heal the esophogus and lining. I have tried so many things, they don't work long term. Does anyone experience these symptoms. I t is the scariest thing I have gone through, I am not normally afraid of storms at all, but something is triggering this. When I do get so upset and my breathing changes, i get a funny sensation in the back of my neck. Thank you for anyone who will listen. This has been going on for about 8 years. sorry if i am not making alot of sense, my meds are kicking in. tHANK GOD!
anxiety attack with acid reflux
2/ 4/08 10:40am
Depending on your 'changes in breathing' there is something called vocal cord dysfunction that appears similar to asthma. You can find information on it here:
http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/vcd/about.aspx
http://www.webmd.com/video/vocal-cord-dysfunction-asthma
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com/page4.html
VCD is often mis-diagnosed as asthma, but it can involve difficulty getting breath in whereas asthma presents as difficulty getting breath out.
However, the steriods and stuff used to treat asthma usually don't have any impact on VCD. Instead, they recommend certain breathing exercises that can be taught by a speech pathologist.
VCD is linked to things that irritate the vocal cords including acid reflux, coughing, post nasal drip. There is also some link between VCD and hysteria. Physicians are a bit reluctant to talk about this because they don't want to make it seem as if it's "all in the mind" and indeed there are clear physical triggers as discussed above.
Michael
I am not a doctor, so I suggest you explore the sources above to form your own opinion, and then bring the issue up with your doctor.
2/ 7/08 10:33pm
I get the same thing when I feel it coming on i talk to myself and try to stay calm so it doesn't go into a full blown attack .Like you I made several trips to er for this. I am on protinix for my stomach .I have devolped gastritis now. I had a nissian fundolacation done about 12 years ago which did help for awhile . But I have bad pain and burning about 3-4 times a week now . I take 2 40 mg pills a day but doesnt seem to be helping much. So hang in there and try to stay calm when you feel the anxiety attack coming on with it...my prayers are with you
2/ 8/08 2:48pm
i think the anxiety comes from having the acid reflux. we panic, we are not used to feeling like this. for awhile i thought i was going crazy. i was really scared all of the time, i had a lot of anxiety.
also, i think it could be the meds that you are on, maybe your body is not agreeing with the medications. i went to the doctor and he told me people with acid reflux can eat and they don't go through what i was going through. you know he told me that all of this could be"in my mind." when i heard that, i knew for sure i was going crazy. so that night i took myself off of all medications, except zegerid. i don't have the shakes anymore and iam able to eat at least half a meal a day. i also, decided to get some counseling and also praying alot.
2/22/08 6:01pm
I did that today. I have done this several times in the past, but today was the first time in over a year. it is a scary feeling. For me, I drink too much coffee and I don't eat right. These are things I can correct.
I had one over a year ago and gave up coffee for lent and did not have another until today, but I drank far too much coffee.
If you recall what the natural remedy was, please let me know. Prayer works when I am absolutely freaking out with it, and I am thankful for that.
2/29/08 3:48pm
You make perfect sense to me. I am going through something very similar. My throat feels like it is closing and I have no appetite. It seems to get a little better with various reflux meds, and then worse again. I have lost 10 pounds without even attempting to. I have come to the conclusion that there is an anxiety component, but they seem to be inter-related. I can't tell if the reflux brought on the anxiety, or the other way around. The anxiety seems to come out of nowhere. My doctor told me that that is a classic symptom of a panic attack...no identifiable trigger. Just now, I had sat down to have something to eat. My throat closed up and I felt the pressure in my chest. Nothing was going to go down without adding to the pressure. I took half a Xanax and waited about 15 minutes. The symptoms subsided and I felt better. But, I saw no reason for the anxiety in the first place, unless I have reached the point that I am afraid to eat. I had also had a few episoded of trembling, heart racing, and pacing that you mentioned. As you know, these are also panic symptoms. Xanax has really helped, but I use it only infrequently. I am also a Christian and use Scripture, and prayer. I feel like my body has turned against me, but perhaps it is the enemy.
I'm just writing this because it was helpful to me to know I am not the only one going through this. I hope it will be helpful to you to know you are not alone. BTW....what is the natural remedy you used? A friend told me about DGL (a form of licorice) but I haven't tried it yet.
4/ 1/08 2:59pm
I have taken nexium for probably 10 years for my acid reflux. Any time I try to get off of it my systoms come back. In the past couple of years I have started having anxiety attacks or nerves, They are not as bad as some I have heard of but they are still bothersome. My main systom now is shaky and bunring in the fleshy part of the back of my arms, It is scarry and I want it to stop. I can take xanax and it calms me down but i don't like taking them, It helps to talk with others who have some of the same systoms.
5/ 1/08 2:54pm
About 6 years ago I was almost killed by a tornado that crossed the road in front of my car. I went 2 years with no problems untill one day I remember getting extremely frieghtened by a thunder storm that was rolling into town. As the days rolled on here in florida (storm capital) I became worst and worst with the Anxeity getting so bad I would shake. 2 more years pass and I end up in the ER with chest pain. they run all test for heart attack but all comes back negative. Now for the last two years I have been dealing with chest pain, stomach pain and anxeity among other strange symptoms. I have been diagnosed with Acid Reflux, Asthma, Hetial Hernia, High Blood Pressure, High Cholestorol and Allergies. Now 16 doctors 2 ER visits and many specialists. No one can tell me where the chest pain is coming from. the easiest way to expalin what happens is. I get up and eat brekfast and drink a sip of soda and off to work I go which is a 90 minute drive. half way to work out of no where my stomach will start to hurt followed by chest pain then followed by Anxeity Attack. I pull over and wait untill I can concentrate again. back on the road untill I reach work where stomach pain comes back the chest pain then Anxeity. the chest pain will be so crazy that I have on occastion adimitted myself to ER just in case it's my heart. wich test will always reveal that my heart is fine. I now take xanax in the morning and afternoon and acid reflux meds at night. these don't stop the attacks but do help with some of the symptoms. But it is interesting you mentioned your fear of storms because I still have that same fear and the strange part is I was always the stupid idiot running outside in a lighting storm to watch it before.
2/ 9/09 6:59pm
Hi! WOW...After seeing this forum I realized maybe I'm not going crazy after all.
Just today, I was telling my husband that after I woke up from my nap (actually, anxiety woke me up) I was lying in bed and all I could feel were "butterflies" in my stomach/chest area. I didn't do anything different than I normally do, except that I ran out of my Prilosec OTC about 11 days ago and have been trying all sorts of natural home remedies (ie...ACV/Water/Baking Soda mixture)....and as I thought it worked for me last night, today it was worth nothing...so, I told my husband that I needed to go out and buy the Prilosec OTC (because my insurance won't cover it...they cover the generic and the generic version does not work for me :(...)
At any rate, we were trying to figure out what would cause me to have anxiety again waking up from a nap. I had this problem before in the past 3 months and it went away for a little while...and now it came back a couple days ago. The only thing we could think that it was was my acid reflux...because when I woke up today....my stomach burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnnnnnned and my throat felt like there was a major lump in it and it hurt...I mean it was THROBBING.....
I see a gastro doctor next week...and I'm afraid to have an endoscope done :( I'm hoping they can give me a less abrasive procedure. Like a Barium drink or something. I'm not sure if my Prilosec OTC was working when I was on it because I'm on 3 meds for my bipolar. And I think the one interacts with it....Lorazepam....but yet, when I bring it up on the "drug interaction" list...it doesn't say it does...but yet on one website it said that it does....so I don't know what to believe.
But it's nice to know I'm not the only one going through it. I just want my anxiety to stop as well as my acid reflux.
I hope you are feeling better since you wrote?
:)
Chelbie
3/10/09 9:16am
Hi, my name is Lynn. God is wonderful, fantastic, and just so unfailing..... I take care of two elderly parents who are unyielding in their ways. I have had acid reflux for five days now, going on six. I too was trying to find out what set off this reflux because I never had it like this. I did my research...read that one of reasons for this is if one tends to swallow air in their lungs. I didn't recall until this morning at work, retracing when the this first occurred... was when I had a panic attack after attempting to stay calm dealing with my father's dementia, and stressful family situation in caring for them without the help of my siblings.
Wow, I didn't even realize that I had a panic attack while venting about my father's rebust actions. I thank Father God for moving me to your statement.
Like we all have to keep encouraging one another... for it is the only way we all can make it.... continue to read God's Word over your, your life, your circumstances. And don't forget to recite the serenity prayer also. A friend of mine gave me that prayer to recite years ago, and it does help to recite and meditate on it. Love you and write me back any time at dasvintagerm@yahoo.com. God Bless and Keep You!!!!!
10/ 2/09 12:51am
I have a very, very similar experience. Sometimes I cannot tell what comes first, the chicken or the egg. The GERD wrenches my throat and then neck and shoulders and it is almost unbearable. We recently had a huge family gathering/reunion and I was expected to do a great deal for it. I had company for three weeks and my kids are grown and gone but they were all here with kids and I have a new dog who went into heat. Her appointment was due soon. I must have had ten of these a day and now they come so much easier. Medication just irritates it if I take, for instance, an antacid. May I know what your doctor gives you for these?
2/13/10 9:02pm
The same thing happened to me earlier today.
I had severe acid reflux (GERD) everyday for 5 months straight and no medicine (prilosec, kapodex, zantac) or natural remedy worked. It got to the point where I couldn't even fall asleep becuase it was so uncomfortable. I decided to have a severe diet change and quit drinking and those steps coupled with doing a colon/liver/gall bladder cleanse completely healed me. However, I started drinking again moderately on weekends and began to eat as I used to and the symptoms returned a few months after, but much more mild and usually only the day after drinking and sometimes during the week if the meal triggered it.
I was a little tired and hungover this morning but no real acid reflux symptoms and I decided to have 2 slices of pizza. About 30 minutes later the acid reflux was unbareable and the fullness in my chest made it harder to breathe and the anxiety started to surface. Before long I had a full blown anxiety attack (I've only had several minor anxiety attacks in my life but nothing like this). I throught I was having a heart attack because of the chest pains related to acid reflux and my beyond rapid heart beat and became extremely dizzy and nearly fell down/passed out. I finally sat down, took a bit of xanax and the feeling subsided enough for me to relax and slow down my heartrate. Now, a few hours later I still have some chest discomfort but I'm feeling incredible compared to how I felt earlier.
Just wanted you to know that I also took several trips to the hospital in the past because of this and it's a very frightening experience. Also know that it can be conquered if you take extremely proactive measures. I know now that I have to take my own advice and change my lifestyle once again. Hope this helps
2/13/10 9:52pm
wow.. i did not know all these post had been here all this time. I posted the original post on here and just now got notice that someone responded. Thank you all so much for your comments and stories. I have been doing very well except my husband and I went to Denver and was walking up slight hills and my heart rate went up.. i felt like i was going to wet my pants and it was an awful feeling.. i would not talk for an hour... at any second i could of had a FULL BLOWN anxiety attack and we were so high up, it would of taken so long for someone to come and get me by ambulance if i needed it. I concentrated and focused on scriputre and it lasted an hour... my husband knew what was happening but he knows not to say anything or it makes it worse!!!! i stayed calm.. but it is very frightful. I then came home and went to see my doctor... nothing showed up on an ekg and my blood pressure is great.. i am overweight by 80lbs... BUT I HONESTLY DO NOT know what brings this on.... it scares me so bad. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS.... i made it up on that mountain WITHOUT calling 911 and was totally calm by the time we got down the mountain. I am just so tired of doctors not finding out what is causing it, what triggers it. Is it mental or is there something really going on. Is it something in my upper stomach and pressure when i walk up hill and then i get worked up and it gets worse and is a visious cylce...
Thank you all so much and hope that you all are doing well with what you have experienced. 
3/20/10 12:48am
It is good to know that I'm not the only one who suffers from this. For about 3 years now I've suffered from what I suspect to be reflux induced chest pain, which results in (sometimes) severe anxiety attacks (i.e., the fear of having a heart attack). I'm 29 years old, and in fantastic physical shape, and I should not be having these problems. More frustrating, is that deep down I know I'm not really having a heart attack, but all that matters at the time is the chest pain, and inevitably the anxiety ensues.
I work at a busy law firm, and at times I have to lock myself in the bathroom for 20-30 minutes where I will take my shirt off, towel off the sweat, and just recite scripture and prayer (it typically works), but recently (and not happy about it), I've begun taking very low doses of generic Xanax.
I've really cut down on the amount of alcohol I drink (I hardly drink every, and then only a drink or two), however I drink a good bit of coffee, and I'm going to cut that out.
If anyone has any advice at all on how to conquer these problems please share. I feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes, and really, I don't want to live another 50 years the way I've lived the last 3. My poor girlfriend, who is the most understanding person in the world, simply doesn't get it at times, and can't figure out what my problem is. I don't blame her, if I were totally healthy, and someone else were experiencing this, I would think it was very odd. Any advice would be fantastic.
God Bless Everyone In Here,
Frank
5/11/10 8:45pm
After I went to the doctor and was told I had acid reflux i figured take the pill, stay away from trigger foods and I would be good to go. Then I noticed that when I would be out to eat I would have to be able to see the restroom and no that i was not blocked in and couldn't get there if I needed to. Or if I went to the movies I have to sit on the end and in to have easy access to bolt if I needed to. I start to have anxiety attacks. I start to panic, my breathing becomes rapid, my heart is beating out of my chest and I feel like i'm sea sick. Sometimes I start to sob because it seems like everything is crashing in on me. The other day I was at a playoff basketball game, found out my seats were smack dab in the middle of the row with people to my left and ten to my right. As soon as I sat down I started to feel my heart rate go up, felt sick, was desperate to get out. This never ever happened to me before I started to show signs of acid reflux. I thought it was all in my head. I've been trying to describe it to my family and friends and get the " mind over matter" talk. I'm glad i'm not alone.
12/14/10 12:18pm
1/30/12 3:03am
anxiety attacks cause stress which triggers the acid reflux yes they are related i have been dealing with both since i was a mere child and the reflux gets worse as i age i am 27 now but i have learned because i have no medical insurance otc drugs can help such as prilosec, zegerid etc. and in case of emergency keep allergy pills on hand to help with the symptoms of the anxiety such as benadryl be aware though look for ones that are non-drowsy or they will make you very very sleepy
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Hi Barfarm,
I am not sure by your question if you have anxiety attacks because of acid reflux or acid reflux because of anxiety attacks, but they both sound really difficult to handle!! I found some information that might be helpful, but it would be better to know which you are suffering with the most. Also this information is a good guideline for deciding what to ask your doctor, but should not be taken as a replacement for a doctor's care or advice.
I take it that you take the Xanax for the anxiety attacks. You can read more about anxiety attacks, which kind they are and what can trigger them here in the anxiety database.
You can also read about the various symptoms here. You might be experiencing a symptom that is not related to the anxiety, or you could have overlooked some symptoms that are directly related to the anxiety attacks.
You are already taking Xanax, and you can read more about that and other available medications, here in the medications database.
It could be that you should look into a different form of treatment too and you can get information about current treatments available here. Some treatments work well for some people and others don't. Plus this is a great place to see late breaking news about new treatments.
You didn't say if you were taking any medications for the acid reflux, but in this posting, Dr Todd Eisner, resident Medical expert, said that proton pump inhibitors like (Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Nexium and AcipHex) are very well tolerated. However, AcipHex does have anxiety attacks listed as a possible side effect for that one proton pump inhibitor. You can read more about these medications and the full article by Dr. Eisner in the links above.
I hope this information helps you understand a little more. Once you know something about what you are dealing with, it's easier to know what to ask your doctor when you speak to him/her.
Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing!
Vicki M
Natural ways can solve the problem permanently, and be a whole lot less destructive.
many times the panic or anxiety attacks can be caused by a hiatal hernia. Many holistic docs as well as Chiros know this....but not the med docs