Today I went to the doctor for chest and stomach pains. He told me that I have gerd. I have anxiety issues and all I can think about is if its going to get OK and am I going to die and all that. Yeah I know a little drastic. But I want to know how otodeal with gerd. Between the pains, breathing difficulties, and anxiety. It is driving me nuts. Can someone tell me how to control it and make it feel better.and ask if possible how to control my anxiety. Thanks

Did your doctor (or you) talk about the anxiety? Which came first, the GERD or the anxiety?

Yeah I didn't say anything about it today. But he last time I went the doctor was like you need to go see a psychiatrist but my mom never scheduled it. The anxiety came before the gerd.. it was because of a dream. Long story

Please tell me the long story.

Well. I had a dream that my grandma who I'm really closed to died. I guess that pushed me over the edge. Then my other grandma passed away like 2 months after my dream. So I guess I started thinking everything is wrong with me and that I'm going to die. That pretty much all I can think about all day. Its ilke burned in my head all day and night. Then I look forward to nighttime so I don't have to think about it anymore . And then the cycle starts again the next day. I feel like my life is absorbed with thinking about bad stuff. I've been feeling miserable lately

Does that seem to be the beginning of the anxiety?

How does the anxiety manifest (show) itself? What happens in your life?

I'm not quite sure what you mean

Did the dream start the anxiety feelings?

What happens when you are anxious? Just wild, churning thoughts? Physical problems like the GERD and maybe other stuff, like being shaky or wanting to run and scream?

Yeah the dream started it... when I'm anxious thoughts just stay in my mind I try not to think about them but they keep going on and on

But you sleep okay at night? You get your homework done and are getting good grades?

No not really I have to always have TV on too even get to sleep. Sometimes I have panic attacks while I'm sleeping . Used to think I was having a seizure or heart attack. I was having a lot of panic attacks at one point in time . They kind of settled down but I still have bad anxiety

How do you define "bad anxiety"?

I mean I do my homework sometimes and I get average grades.

... are you a counselor or something like that

Yup. I have an M.S. in counseling psych. (That means I am a professional counselor.)

Oh cool. At least I get to talk to someone about it

How do you define "bad anxiety"? (And what year are you in school?)

Bad anxiety like always thinking about bad things. And always feeling nervous. A lot weird feelings. Oh freshman

How have you tried to cope so far?

Um I don't really know I don't know how to?

How do you feel right now?

Nervous and worried about my health

Your health is good. Let's get rid of the worry.

How

I want you to write down five positive things you did today.

OK now what

Tell me what they are. (or too personal?)

Woke up this morning,I hung out with my friends, got good grades on quiz, had the funniest joke, spent time with my family

You felt positive when you got up this morning?

Well it's a blessing that I woke up today. Your not promised 2moro

No, I asked for positive things you did, positive actions you took. That one doesn't count then.

And got 5 dollars

For what? (I'll still waiting for a 5th positive thing you did.)

Hi Duke.
You are young to be dealing with this, I'm glad you found this site to ask your question, there are folks here willing to help you and you have already found one of those it seems.
I'm going to state the obvious and say that you need to get your anxiety under control in order to help with your stomach. I'm sure you already know that.
While you work on the anxiety, I would like to offer you some eating tips that may help.
I have dealt with stomach issues for years and I'll tell you some of the things I do.
First, you'll need to lay off what may be some of your favorite foods, pizza, hamburgers, fried foods, I like these things too, but sometimes I just can't eat them.
Ginger is good for helping to calm the stomach. I drink ginger tea, but you could try ginger-ale, I've also seen dried and sugared ginger snacks.
Stay away from caffeinated sodas and acidic fruits like citrus and pineapple.
Bland foods will be your friend, things like yogurt, rice, puddings, jell-o, mashed potatoes, rice.
Take your meds just as your Doctor told you.
Don't eat before bed, give yourself a couple of hours between dinner and bedtime.
If you find that you have a hard time eating and are not feeling like you are eating properly, try out some of the nutrition drinks, I really like the Boost drinks, and they are loaded with vitamins and minerals.
I think you should also exercise a little in the evenings, even a brisk walk is good for you and might help you to sleep.
I think the counseling is a good idea, talk to your Mom about it. It will be good for you to learn how to deal with your anxiety while you are still young so that this cycle hopefully doesn't continue into adulthood.

Thank you for the tips