My Battle with Anxiety Attacks and Acid Reflux: A Personal Account

Do you feel alone and helpless when you fighting health challenges? Yes, I did. And I want to share my personal experience of my battle.

Anxiety attacks can be an overwhelming and frightening experience, leaving those who suffer from them feeling alone and helpless. This is a personal experience that I am all too familiar with, having struggled with anxiety attacks myself. I vividly remember my first attack, when I was driving home from work late at night and suddenly felt an intense feeling of fear and discomfort. My palms became sweaty, my body started to shake, and I found it hard to breathe. I had to pull over and calm myself down before I could continue driving. Despite this, I still felt anxious, and I eventually went to the clinic to get a jab from the doctor, which provided temporary relief until I got back home. 

The experience was overwhelming, and it left me feeling unable to handle the steering wheel. I was afraid the car would sway away from the road or even worse, that I would get into an accident. This caused me to breathe heavily and want to roll down the windows for fresh air. At the time, I could not figure out what was causing these attacks, and unfortunately, they repeated themselves several times. This eventually led me to give up driving temporarily and rely on public transportation instead. It was a frustrating and scary experience, as I could not pinpoint the root cause of my anxiety attacks. 

I sought help from my friends on some occasions to drive me around, but I knew that I could not rely on them forever. I must overcome this challenge on my own.

Thereafter, living with anxiety attacks can be a nightmare, but when later coupled with acid reflux, it can be downright unbearable. I would often find myself experiencing stomach bloating, diarrhea, and interrupted sleep due to the unpleasant flow of acid up my throat, leaving a sour taste in my mouth. Being busy with work meant I could not keep up with regular mealtimes, worsening my condition without realizing it. 

Until one fateful night... I woke up suddenly at 3 a.m., gasping for breath, feeling a crushing pain in my chest, and heart palpitations, leaving me to fear the worst. My husband, who has a visual impairment, called for an ambulance to take me to the Tawakkal Hospital as he could not drive. The wait for the ambulance seemed like an eternity... The palpitations continued, and I felt my heart racing, my nerves jangling. When I finally arrived at the hospital, I was admitted to the High Care Unit, where I was given medication and a drip to calm me down. Despite the treatment, I still felt uneasy and restless, unable to sleep. 

Finally, in the morning, the doctor diagnosed me with GERD, a condition I was unfamiliar with. I was advised to stay in the hospital for one more night for observation. The restless night had taken its toll, leaving me feeling drained and needing rest. However, even at the hospital, sleep was elusive, and I found myself tossing and turning in my bed, even walking out of the ward. I prayed to God to help my symptoms subside, to give me the strength to endure. 

As I waited, exhausted, I almost fell asleep on the bench in the waiting area. It was then that I felt a reassuring arm around me, and I knew that God was watching over me, giving me the strength to face this challenging time..remembered the bible verse that gives me strength to overcome the odds, Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

I was discharged the following day and got some medicine, continued to monitor my condition at home. After 1 week, I was referred to the gastroenterology specialist, Dr Melvin Raj at KPJ Tawakkal Hospital to find out the cause of my discomfort. As I sat in the waiting room of Dr Melvin Raj, I couldn't help but feel anxious. Dr. Melvin Raj was kind and patient. He asked me several questions about my symptoms and medical history and then performed a physical examination. After reviewing my test results, he concluded that I had GERD, a condition in which the contents of the stomach flow back into the esophagus. 

He prescribed me a two-week supply of anti-acid and constipation medication to help alleviate my symptoms and scheduled me for an endoscopy to get a more detailed look at my esophagus. 

The day of my endoscopy arrived, and I couldn't help but feel uneasy and uncomfortable. I had to fast for several hours beforehand, and the thought of having a tube inserted through my mouth into my esophagus made me anxious. Thank God that my husband was with me to comfort me. When it was time for the procedure, the endoscopy team ensured I was as comfortable as possible. They explained every step of the process to me and made sure I was properly sedated before beginning the procedure. As the tube was inserted, I felt a sense of discomfort and pressure in my throat. It was a strange sensation and felt I want to vomit, but I reminded myself that it was all for my own health. 

Finally, the endoscopy was over, and I was admitted to the day ward for monitoring. After a few hours, the doctor came in to share the results of the procedure with me. He explained that my esophagus was intact and that there was nothing wrong that could have caused my heartburn. He gave me a CD that stored the images and videos of my esophagus. Guess I was going to keep it as a souvenir! 

I was relieved to hear this, but also a little frustrated. I had gone through all of that discomfort and anxiety for what turned out to be nothing. But I realized that I had learned something important. I had learned that my health was worth the discomfort and anxiety of seeking medical care. And I had learned that sometimes, even when we don't get the answers we're looking for, the process of seeking those answers is still valuable. 

I know the road to recovery was not easy, but I am determined to take care of my mental and physical health. I sought therapy to help me manage my anxiety and adopted a healthier lifestyle to manage my acid reflux. 

If you are experiencing similar symptoms, know that you are not alone. Many people struggle with anxiety attacks and related conditions like acid reflux. It is essential to reach out for support and seek professional help. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in managing these conditions.

 

No doubt, it takes time and patience to overcome these challenges, but with the right support and determination, you can regain control of your life. Stay strong, stay positive, and remember that there is hope for a brighter future. You are not alone on this journey, and there are people who care and understand what you're going through. Keep seeking help, keep fighting, and know that better days are ahead.