Absolutely! If cbt is offered to you, give it a try. And exercise, especially walking is so helpful for reducing stress. Good luck to you!
Hugs, Sue

I do think it can be a vicious circle, and stress and worry definitely makes any symptom worse.

I've often wondered if reflux could be caused by not swallowing properly, and what I mean by that, is not generating a smooth action. Rather, what I tend to do is really exaggerate the swallow and strain, and gulp, and tense up my throat (because I'm nervous), probably swallowing loads of air in the process.

Exercise is definitely a good thing. I find swimming to be the most therapeutic, I just need to do it more!

I went to the gym on wednesday and then swimming yesterday. the trouble is now I have such bad pain that I feel like i have been punched. I wasn't stressed so surely it can't be caused by that?

Back in late May and early June, I had GERD so bad that it was waking me up at all hours of the night, if I even found myself able to fall asleep. I had been in a car accident in March that I suffered post traumatic stress from.... anxiety attacks every day, heightened worrying... on top of other kinds of stress!

Doctor prescribed me to have 1) A better diet, consisting of more meals with less acid-agitating foods/drinks 2) A Zantac via directions on label or 3-4 Tums before eating larger meals and to 3) RELAX.

Since the time that my stress has dwindled, so have my GERD symptoms. But, I'm convinced that drinking at least half my weight in ounces of water everyday helped tremendously. When I don't drink water, (which usually means I'm drinking other less healthy things), I start to feel some of those icky symptoms come back.

Stress can often be a blanket term and I don't think it's wise to blow it off. For example, when some people get seriously stressed out, they don't eat as much, or as well. They might be taking in more caffeine. They might be eating too much. They might lose sleep. These may seem like small situations with a small impact, but the truth is your body can really go out of balance when it's going through too much stress; because what you eat, how much you eat, how long you sleep or relax really can play a huge role in your health.

It's important to remember to be patient and to have a positive outlook. Symptoms will not go away overnight- if your GERD is caused by stress, chances are that that stress, as well as it's affects on your body, have been accumulating for a little while. Chances are it's going to take a little while to right itself, as you try to relax- after all, you're not just looking to cure GERD symptoms, you're ultimately trying to treat one of the upsetting sources.

Have you explored any avenues regarding stress management? Maybe talking to a counselor once a week just to get things off of your chest... or writing down what's upsetting you so you can at least become more aware of it?

Good luck!!

I was just diagnosed w/this on Monday. My main symptom was a bloated feeling and chest pressure. After the doc ruled out heart trouble, he said it was my stomach. There HAS to be a connection w/stress, because whenever something stresses me, I get symptomatic. I did also ask to be put back on my wellbutrin.
I know how you feel. Since I was told, all I can think about is if it really is GERD, I'm afraid to eat, I just get really confused.
Good luck.

HI EVERYONE
GERD IS NOTHING TO FOOL AROUND WITH. I HAD GERD AND DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT AND IT TURNED INTO BARRETTS' ESOPHAGUS WHICH IS THE NEXT STEP TO PRE CANCER. I HAD TO MAKE SOME VERY DIFFICULT CHANGES BUT IT PUT IT INTO REMISSION. I WENT THROUGH 10 MONTHS OF HEAVY STRESS AND I HAVE A FEELING THAT THE BARRETTS IS BACK. TO AVOID MAKING YOUR GERD WORSE, RAISE YOUR BED BY 6 INCHES, EXERCISE TO HELP ANY STRESS, AND CHANGE YOUR DIET. THAT IS THE HARDEST PART. PEOPLE WITH GERD AND BARRETTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE ANY TYPE OF TOMATO OR TOMATO SAUCE, NO CITRUS, NO FAT,NO SUGAR, NO CAFFEINE, NO CHOCOLATE. WE CAN HAVE OLIVE OIL, FISH OIL, THE GOOD FATS BUT NO PEANUT BUTTER, ANYTHING WITH THE BAD FATS IN IT. THE DIET WAS VERY HARD ON ME AND I LOST WEIGHT WITHOUT TRYING. I WENT FROM 130 DOWN TO 102. I'M FINALLY UP TO 114 SO I DON'T LOOK SO SICKLY AS I DID. I'M SLOWLY LOWERING MY STRESS AND I'M TRYING TO WALK MORE AND GET MORE EXERCISE. GERD IS NOTHING TO FOOL AROUND WITH BECAUSE IT CAN LEAD TO BARRETTS AND YOU DON'T WANT THAT. IF YOU CAN, ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO LOOK DOWN YOUR THROAT WITH THE SCOPE AND SEE IF IT'S JUST GERD OR IT'S PROGRESSED. WE CAN'T LIVE ON NEXIUM OR PRILOSEC FOREVER. THAT ONLY MASKS THE PROBLEM ,IT DOESN'T FIX IT. I HOPE YOU IT ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU. SOFT HUGS.

gramybear,

Have you looked into radioablation treatment for BE? It looks to have real promise according to published reports.

http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-1175113007561.html

Earlier today, I put a call into my GI doc...next available office appointment is in late October. I left a message and asked her to call me. I am sure she will want to scope me and the hospital will be able to fit that in before October I am sure.

Good luck everyone!