Finally calling GI tomorrow - causing severe anxiety

[sTeaLth 238]

I've been having a feeling like something is stuck in my throat behind my breastbone for a few months now off and on.  Some things improve it, mint, hot drinks, super cold drinks, and intermittent fasting makes it go away almost entirely until I start eating again.  I've tried to write it off as anxiety, acid reflux, stress, muscle pull, etc... but it isn't really going away or improving.  😕  I finally got myself to the point mentally where I am going to set up a doctor appointment for answers.  This brings me no small amount of anxiety.  

Doctors and the "what if" they represent is almost worse than the anxiety I experience wondering if something is really wrong this time.  I can't live in the bubble of denial if I call and set up an appointment.  Now I am in the thralls of worry and despair as I call in the morning and then wait for the appointment date to arrive.  My joy and anticipation for normal every day life things disappears during this time.  I don't look forward to things and my hunger leaves... I don't have fun at all.  Every one of you probably knows exactly what I am talking about.  The anxiety sets in and I begin twitching more all over the place as this looming threat marches my direction.  

The likelihood is that I have Gerd or maybe a small hernia in my esophagus that is causing these issues.  Yet, I can't shake that ever present thought of "this time it's bad."  I'm scared to leave my wife to raise my two sons alone; one three next month and the other two in September.  I'm afraid to find out what my future holds... and that it is horrible.  I realize the odds are definitely in my favor that it is nothing and these appointments will likely end this anxiety entirely with an answer and solution provided.  But that what if... I just can't move past it.  😕

I guess I just need common sense, cooler heads, and encouraging words at this point.  Maybe someone who has gone through a similar thing?  I realize none of you really know what it is but I also know that my own mind and emotions cannot be trusted right now.  Thanks guys.  😔

[Ashleyspicer84 84]

I get this ALL the time. For me it’s caused by indigestion and sometimes post nasal drip. It feels like a lump in your throat. The kind that you get when your about to cry. I hate that feeling. 

[sTeaLth 238]

4 minutes ago, Ashleyspicer84 said:

I get this ALL the time. For me it’s caused by indigestion and sometimes post nasal drip. It feels like a lump in your throat. The kind that you get when your about to cry. I hate that feeling. 

When I swallow saliva it also croaks and makes weird sounds coming from my throat. I eat so much mint and force burps so often that I easily could have caused half of my symptoms from doing that. 

[Ashleyspicer84 84]

Especially the croaking. You are swallowing so much air when you are forcing burps and my guess is you’ve gotten indigestion and felt that lump feeling and the constant checking and swallowing and forced burping has irritated your esophagus. Try to stop doing that and see if it improves. My guess is it will.  

[sTeaLth 238]

3 hours ago, Ashleyspicer84 said:

Especially the croaking. You are swallowing so much air when you are forcing burps and my guess is you’ve gotten indigestion and felt that lump feeling and the constant checking and swallowing and forced burping has irritated your esophagus. Try to stop doing that and see if it improves. My guess is it will.  

Over Christmas I stopped drinking pop and forced myself to ignore the feeling, stop forcing air burps, and not dwell on it at all.  After a few days, it faded to the point where I thought it was probably gone for good.  Near new years, I drank a lot of pop over a few days and it returned again.  I can't help but think... something sinister wouldn't do that.  Diet and focus is killing me here.

[Ashleyspicer84 84]

Serious health problems don’t go away. That’s how I know a lot of the times it’s anxiety. If you change your diet or distract yourself and the problem goes away it’s just anxiety. 

[sTeaLth 238]

And that describes mine entirely.  Every morning when I wake up, the feeling is barely there if at all.  After relaxing all night, it calms down.  In fact, it usually stays that way until I eat or swallow air or something to aggravate it again.

[sTeaLth 238]

So after some consideration and some wisdom from friends on the forums... I decided in my mind that it is anxiety and me doing certain actions that are causing it.  Today the symptoms are probably reduced by 80% already and the anxiety is almost gone.  Just in doing that mental change and ignoring it.  Therefore, I am not going to go take money to the doctor.  I am going to give it some time and keep this frame of mind.  I think it is on its way out.

[sTeaLth 238]

Well, it was great while it lasted.  The fear has returned... and the feeling is as bad as ever.  I struggle when I eat too much especially... I get that acid in my throat when trying to force what feels like a burp at times.  I am fairly certain it is GERD... but I want to know what brought it on.  I'm still freaked out to go find out.  😕  Not sure what to do at this point.  Nothing seems to help relieve it except a ton of mint or sleeping.  😢 

[MARC 431]

Have you tried over the counter Prilosec, tums or Mylanta?

[sTeaLth 238]

11 hours ago, MARC said:

Have you tried over the counter Prilosec, tums or Mylanta?

Oh ya, they help... but they do not remove the feeling.  I am wondering if it isn't a hernia in my esophagus with how it feels.

[MARC 431]

I have a hiatal hernia which was diagnosed by an EGD back in 2005. I can't eat near bed time or eat any real spicy foods. 

[sTeaLth 238]

2 hours ago, Total Eclipse said:

What has your diet been like lately?

I drink a lot of coffee, like a few cups a day.  I ALWAYS eat too late.  Usually right up until I go to sleep at night.  Which with two toddlers, can be 10pm or after. I have a lot of stress from kids and work.  I am about 30 pounds heavier than I should be.  Currently I only take Prilosec OTC to help with reflux. 

Good things this year, my wife and I have given up carbonation of all kinds for the entirety of 2020.  I already feel better from that change.  I have never drank or smoked.  I don't drink much juice.  Clothing I might want to look into as well.

One big thing as well, I tend to sit all day at work until my standing desk comes.  I have definitely noticed that the slouching effects my throat issues.  Maybe I just need to go drastic.

I just called the GI this morning and the front desk lady was not concerned at all about my symptoms.  She recommended, to save me money, going to a primary care physician who could probably fix the issue fine.  Oddly enough, this has stemmed my anxiety.  I may set up an appointment later this week and just get a general looking at.