Do any doctors still post here?

[pchang]

A good doctor would understand your mindset, give you a prescription, and tell you explicitly to take it for 2 weeks (it takes that long to establish steady levels in your CSF), and schedule a follow up in 2 weeks to assess and adjust.

[Lorizael]

Possibly. I've never had a psychiatrist I was really happy with. I just used them to get anti-depressants, which I stopped taking 2 years ago when I quit my job/lost health insurance. In fact, the only mental health professional I've ever liked is my current therapist, who is very inconveniently on maternity leave right now. (Even still, we've been corresponding by email since my trip to the ER, for which I am extremely grateful.)

[Dr Strangelove]

Lor, IIRC you're considerably younger than you look, is that not so? Aren't you still in your twenties? Coronary artery disease would be very unlikely at that age. One of the most common causes of chest pain in younger men is gastro esophageal reflux, something you can easily take care of with daily Prilosec OTC. OTOH since you now acknowledge that you are anxious then perhaps anxiety is the cause. Frankly the first step towards treating anxiety is simply recognizing it. It's possible your anxiety is a result of real stressors in your life, but true Anxiety Disorder occurs in the absence of or separate from real stressors. In either case Cognitive Behavioral Therapy could alleviate a lot of your anxiety. Also many of those antidepressants you used to take are very useful in the treatment of Anxiety Disorder.

HEY!!!!!! WTF happened to my avatar!!!!!!!

[Ming]

HEY!!!!!! WTF happened to my avatar!!!!!!!

It's nice to see a response from a real doctor

As far as your avatar, many were lost with the upgrade to new software. You will need to go into your account and reload your avatar.

[Lorizael]

Lor, IIRC you're considerably younger than you look, is that not so? Aren't you still in your twenties? Coronary artery disease would be very unlikely at that age. One of the most common causes of chest pain in younger men is gastro esophageal reflux, something you can easily take care of with daily Prilosec OTC. OTOH since you now acknowledge that you are anxious then perhaps anxiety is the cause. Frankly the first step towards treating anxiety is simply recognizing it. It's possible your anxiety is a result of real stressors in your life, but true Anxiety Disorder occurs in the absence of or separate from real stressors. In either case Cognitive Behavioral Therapy could alleviate a lot of your anxiety. Also many of those antidepressants you used to take are very useful in the treatment of Anxiety Disorder.

HEY!!!!!! WTF happened to my avatar!!!!!!!

I'm 31. How time flies. I have heartburn pretty frequently because of my terrible diet, but this chest pain didn't feel anything like that. It wasn't all that bad in terms of intensity, but it was persistent and fairly well centered on my heart. I am reluctant to get back on drugs, because in general I don't like having to rely on them to be functional. But also I'm on Medicaid, which means in order to get covered mental health treatment I have to go through the Maryland Public Mental Health System and get evaluated and sent to a specialist and... that all sounds terrifying and complicated.

[Ecthy]

Definitely leprosy, you're as good as dead.

[Dr Strangelove]

If you aren't treating your heartburn the character of the pain may change as the acid starts eating through the lining of your lower esophagus, so go ahead and start the Prilosec and be certain to take it daily. You don't have to go to a psychiatrist to be treated for anxiety, your primary care doctor can do that for you.

[Berzerker]

change your diet for god's sake, you dont wanna start popping antacid pills long term. research foods, consult a nutritionist with knowledge of gerd

besides, you need your acid to properly absorb nutrients and keep your gut functioning

I've read that as we age our acid production declines and that can cause heartburn as gas from undigested food builds up and pushes on the esophagus sphincter. Eat more often but eat less per meal, and chew... take yer time eating. I had the habit of gulping food and eating large meals. Not good, I imagine the constant expanding/contracting of my stomach contributed to the weakening of my esophagus muscles. Pot and alcohol didn't help either, pot relaxes the sphincter muscles and lets acid up into the esophagus.

I had no problems with heartburn, but then I changed my sleeping arrangement and got in the habit of lying down flat after meals with my neck bent forward as I watched tv... my stomach acid would pool up at the esophagus and it messed me up, I'm still trying to avoid the bad habits that got me in trouble - use gravity, prop up your bed or get a pillow designed for acid reflux. You want at least 6-8 inches of elevation and you want your upper body on a relatively consistent slope. My heartburn doesn't occur in my chest, I feel it in the small of my back.

the meals I was eating promoted acid reflux, dairy, fat, chocolate, etc... and if you're overweight, drop the pounds. Strengthen your core muscles so they'll take some pressure off your inerds (well, check with a doc on that, I dont know if that helps or hurts).

and stop worrying damnit life is good

[Lorizael]

I've decided to eliminate or drastically reduce my mountain dew intake. I'm anxious all the time and also pumping myself full of a stimulant. That seems kind of dumb. Right now limiting myself to one can a day. We'll see if I can get rid of it entirely.

[ZEE]

lol a Mountain Dew Schizo.

Keep practicing, kid, you'll get it one day.

[My Wife Hates CIV]

It's nice to see a response from a real doctor

As far as your avatar, many were lost with the upgrade to new software. You will need to go into your account and reload your avatar.

somehow my mwhc avatar is ok. all my DL's are missing. well... all my "believed" DL's. for all i know it's any of you.

[Aeson]

My heartburn (which wasn't terrible, but occurred often) has almost completely stopped since I stopped eating meat and limited my dairy. I am working towards no dairy or eggs, and cutting back on grains.

Also such a diet can dramatically reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

It has ahelped my energy levels and mood consistency, though I still get groggy if I have a big grain based meal. I feel best on days I eat mostly fruits and veggies.

[Aeson]

A big grain based meal with lots of sugar (cake, pancakes with syrup, etc) still gives me heartburn, but it's nowhere near as bad as before.

[Lorizael]

lol a Mountain Dew Schizo.

Keep practicing, kid, you'll get it one day.

Schizophrenia and anxiety disorders are often comorbid, but they are not the same thing. I do not claim to be schizophrenic.

[My Wife Hates CIV]

i just got a chicken coop, 5 chickens and 4 ducks. yes, MHLC is cleaning the cages every day until they can move outside. MHLC says i can expect some eggs this summer got all this cause of the grand kids. you know... it's fun.