Klonipid for anxiety and gerd

[dawnngone]

Could this be true? I started taking Klonipid for anxiety and realized that my Gerd symptoms were getting better. So, it is that anxiety meds can help more so than the Nexiums, previcids, and the aciphex?????? I have tried all of those the anti-depression meds work better with calming me down and making my gerd less irritated. My GI never explained this to me. My famlily doctor suggested this.

[The Pard]

Hi Dawn,

Don't worry, you didn't discover the "wheel".

Go to the old forum and click on "home" to get to the home page..

Then type "xanax" in the search window.

I hope you have an hour or two to read.

Take care..
THe Pard

[dawnngone]

Originally posted by The Pard
Hi Dawn,

Don't worry, you didn't discover the "wheel".

Go to the old forum and click on "home" to get to the home page..

Then type "xanax" in the search window.

I hope you have an hour or two to read.

Take care..
THe Pard

Pard....Thank you for your reply. I am new at this message board thing.

[Hawk]

Maybe some who have had experience with anxiety meds would like to post their experience on the new message board.

[Hallsy]

Hello dawnngone - my neighbor north of here.

I suffered with GERD and none of the standard GERD meds - PPIs, H2 blockers - were helping. Weight loss, improved diet and eating habits, more exercise helped some, but GERD raged on. Then a Surgeon started me on Xanax. I was feeling better in a couple of days and GERD was pretty well gone in a week.

For some, GERD is caused by a physical problem - such as a weak, damaged - or missing - Lower Esophageal Sphincter. For others the cause of GERD is multi-factor - with stress / anxiety / worry being one of those factors. In his book "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" Dale Carnegie documents cases going back to the 1920s of people who were near death due to stomach problems that were completely cured once they overcame anxiety problems.

There can be no doubt about it - stress / anxiety is a factor that plays a major role in GERD for some of us.

Hopes and prayers.

Hallsy

[Trish]

Originally posted by Hallsy
Hello dawnngone - my neighbor north of here.

I suffered with GERD and none of the standard GERD meds - PPIs, H2 blockers - were helping. Weight loss, improved diet and eating habits, more exercise helped some, but GERD raged on. Then a Surgeon started me on Xanax. I was feeling better in a couple of days and GERD was pretty well gone in a week.

For some, GERD is caused by a physical problem - such as a weak, damaged - or missing - Lower Esophageal Sphincter. For others the cause of GERD is multi-factor - with stress / anxiety / worry being one of those factors. In his book "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" Dale Carnegie documents cases going back to the 1920s of people who were near death due to stomach problems that were completely cured once they overcame anxiety problems.

There can be no doubt about it - stress / anxiety is a factor that plays a major role in GERD for some of us.

Hallsy,

Did you end up having surgery? How are you now? Do you take any meds at this point or have you somehow "beaten" your anxiety?

Thanks!

Hopes and prayers.

Hallsy

[Hallsy]

Trish,

Answers to your questions.

<< Did you end up having surgery? >>

No.

<< How are you now? >>

For over a year I've been taking Xanax and doing very well. Although I've had some ups and downs, the downs are no where near as bad as things were during the summer of 2001. GERD does not keep me from any activity and does not limit what I can eat.

<< Do you take any meds at this point or have you somehow "beaten" your anxiety? >>

I hoped anxiety was behind me, and started slowly tapering off the Xanax. But at 0.5 mg per day, gastritis returned - occuring in the mornings and wearing off during the day. I also backslid with my eating habits - ate too much, snacked too much, began drinking soft drinks and sweet tea again. And too much coffee. Put back on over 20 pounds of the weight I had lost. GERD began making a comeback and my blood pressure went back up - 168 / 108 at the visit to my doctor last week.

So, after kicking myself a few times, I've done the following - no soft drinks, no more than 3 cups of coffee daily, sweeten my tea with stevia instead of sugar, cut daily food consumption by half or more, exercise a little more, continue to take Xanax and started taking blood pressure medicine again. I've lost 5 pounds since last Wed. and feel better already. And the blood pressure medicine that wasn't working too well during the bad days of GERD is working very well now - BP usually measures 120 - 130 over 60 - 70. Sometimes measures as low as 115 over 55. And once again GERD is not bothering me. This time I'll beat it for good.

Hopes and prayers,

Hallsy

[GW]

Hi Dawnngone,

Doggone nice to see you here on the board! :D

I, too, am.......'scuse me WAS an "Anxious Gerdie" (as we like to call ourselves here) and if it weren't for Hallsy and others on this Heartburn Help site I seriously doubt that I would've EVER been as happy as I am right now.

They discovered inflammation in my esophagus at the GE Junction, by endoscopy, caused by excessive reflux. I, too, found a rare doctor. The rarest in fact. My doctor not only heard and treated me according to the anxiety that he noticed but he himself was going through treatments for his own case of GERD.

Long story short, I was prescribed Xanax, Celexa(for depression.....goes hand in hand w/ anxiety at times) and continued with Prilosec. I felt almost instant relief. And in almost exactly 100 days I believe I was cured and I haven't taken ANY meds since then. That was last summer. :)

Here's just one of the web pages that shows how a doctor (Dr. Shipko) charted bile flow and it's reactions to the introduction of the
Benzodiazepine Xanax or Alprazolam(generic). He's also done studies using Klonopin which is in the same class.

http://www.algy.com/pdi/research.html

Here's another good site for lots of insight on the anxiety/panic and xanax stuff.

http://www.anxietybookstore.com/Xanax-Discussion.htm

Good Hunting :) and Welcome!

G

[dawnngone]

Originally posted by GW
Hi Dawnngone,

Doggone nice to see you here on the board! :D

I, too, am.......'scuse me WAS an "Anxious Gerdie" (as we like to call ourselves here) and if it weren't for Hallsy and others on this Heartburn Help site I seriously doubt that I would've EVER been as happy as I am right now.

They discovered inflammation in my esophagus at the GE Junction, by endoscopy, caused by excessive reflux. I, too, found a rare doctor. The rarest in fact. My doctor not only heard and treated me according to the anxiety that he noticed but he himself was going through treatments for his own case of GERD.

Long story short, I was prescribed Xanax, Celexa(for depression.....goes hand in hand w/ anxiety at times) and continued with Prilosec. I felt almost instant relief. And in almost exactly 100 days I believe I was cured and I haven't taken ANY meds since then. That was last summer. :)

Here's just one of the web pages that shows how a doctor (Dr. Shipko) charted bile flow and it's reactions to the introduction of the
Benzodiazepine Xanax or Alprazolam(generic). He's also done studies using Klonopin which is in the same class.

http://www.algy.com/pdi/research.html

Here's another good site for lots of insight on the anxiety/panic and xanax stuff.

http://www.anxietybookstore.com/Xanax-Discussion.htm

Good Hunting :) and Welcome!

G
G..........Thanks for the info. I never realized that anxiety could be the culprit until I started taking Klonopin. Then not only did it helpl me emotionally, but my GERD seem to let up. Even with all the PPI's that I had taken nothing really got rid of it. I have put on about 13 lbs since last summer. So, I like Hallsy have started cutting back and exercising. I know part of the anxiety is coming from the weight gain. I have never been 133 lb. since my pregnancy. So, hopefully taking off the added weight will help me in more ways than one. One thing that does bother me, I hate taking medication permanently. I hope I can go totally off any medication. But I don't want to do that to soon......dawnngone

[GW]

Originally posted by dawnngone
One thing that does bother me, I hate taking medication permanently. I hope I can go totally off any medication. But I don't want to do that to soon......dawnngone

The thought of taking medications for long periods of time can be quite disconcerting to some. However, if it controls the GERD and allows you the opportunity to actually FORM a "battle plan" then it's worth it. When one is in constant pain and worry over the hellish state this has got us in at the moment, you can't possibly think straight enough to do any other plan. It's the "survival mode" at it's best (or worse) that usually wins out.

The .25 of a mg that I was taking (the "entry level dose") would have NEVER been addictive to me. In fact, I believe it's non-addictive up to 1mg per day. I know this stuff isn't addictive in the mere fact that I was able to wean off within a week. Upon checking with my doctor on this he said that there really isn't a weaning off period at that dosage and to always keep a few of them around on an "as needed" basis.

I will ditto the importance of weight control in all of us here Dawn. This is soooooo key in keeping the 'bloat-which-causes-chest pains' at bay. This is especially true with regards to the ones of us afflicted with Gastritis. Gastritis is a bit of a stealthy creature in that it's hard to diagnose. You can do a search on it and see if you may fit into it's systemic category as well.

Well, all I know, it's better for me to imagine taking a few pills to control this stuff than to do a permanent structural change in my body that leaves way too much of a dubious function in it's wake. OEM only for me, if possible! :D

[dawnngone]

G.....do you think taking .5 mg of Klonopin is safe to take every day. I was on Zoloft for a couple of months and used Klonopin when needed. But last month, I weaned off Zoloft because I was scared of taking both. I did feel better emotionally when I was on Zoloft. What is your opinion of this? Should I have stayed on Zoloft. It seems Klonopin helps me with anxiety, but I still have numerous crying spells. It is quite embarrassing when you are out in public and you just break down in front of the whole world for no reason. Today was no exception.....I hate when I do this.....I am a happy person otherwise......give me your feedback.
Thanks,
dawnngone(alias...cry baby).

[Pete]

Did anyone experience side effects with xanax? I tried it once but at only .25 and remember total fatigue. Also did anyone who was helped by xanax have upright reflux with chronic burping as their primary symptoms. Thanks. Love the new board, Hawk.

[GW]

On the Xanax issue I'd say it is the best in terms of "non addiction friendly" type Benzos. Although in amounts greater than 1 mg a day it can become dependancy based.

Dawn, you may still be going through withdrawl of the Zoloft! Not to mention starting a new benzo in the Klonopin. I can't stress this enough, these meds are extreme. These are indeed "mind altering" drugs. There's no two ways about it. I will also tell you .....THANK GOD for them! I wouldn't have had the seemingly miraculous results in healing if not for Xanax , the anti anxiety drug, and Celexa (an SSRI for depression).

You might just be having an initial interaction with the other stuff still in your system. Some folks take a lot longer to flush out the old before they can bring in the new.

My overview of this has always been to shoot for MINIMAL dosages and types of drugs. And, of course, to use them and then get rid of them ASAP.

:)

ps. I've been quite emotional lately, too. Lots of things to morn and fret about in this ol' world today, is there not?

[Hallsy]

Originally posted by Pete
Did anyone experience side effects with xanax? I tried it once but at only .25 and remember total fatigue. Also did anyone who was helped by xanax have upright reflux with chronic burping as their primary symptoms. Thanks. Love the new board, Hawk.

Pete,

When I first started taking Xanax, each 0.5 mg dose would make me very drowsy. But the drowsiness went away after 2 or 3 weeks or so. It also caused me to have some really bizarre dreams - no nightmares, just some weird, bizarre dreams. I believe the official side effect term used is "vivid dreams."

Excessive, constant burping was one of the symptoms of GERD for me.

Hallsy

[dawnngone]

Hallsy......do you know if there is a big difference in Klonipin and Xanax? Does one seem to work better than the other. I have never tried Xanax and was just wondering what the difference was......thanks, dawnngone

[Hallsy]

Originally posted by dawnngone
Hallsy......do you know if there is a big difference in Klonipin and Xanax? Does one seem to work better than the other. I have never tried Xanax and was just wondering what the difference was......thanks, dawnngone

Dawnngone,

Sorry - I don't have any experience with or know anything about Klonipin.

Some in the medical field - such as Dr. Stuart Shipko, M.D (psychiatrist and neurologist) - believe that Alprazolam (Xanax) helps some people with GERD because it is a cholecystokinin (CCK) antagonist. CCK is a neuro-transmitter involved in anxiety and the regulation of bile flow. Dr. Shipko's studies show that abnormal bile flow - bile reflux - may be what causes GERD in some people. Here's a link to some info published by Dr. Shipko:

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Shipko1.html

I'm not sure, but I think that Alprazolam is the only anti-anxiety medication that is a CCK antagonist.

The thing that I do know is that Alprazolam stopped my GERD when nothing else worked. My wife was very surprised when the Surgeon prescribed anti-anxiety medicine for me because I always seemed to be a calm, laid back person. And we were both amazed (happily so) when it worked so well.

Hopes and prayers.

Hallsy

[michael]

Does anyone know if this drug(ativan) also helps excess bile release?

Thanks

[dawnngone]

Originally posted by michael
Does anyone know if this drug(ativan) also helps excess bile release?

Thanks
Michael....I have never heard of Ativan. What kind of drug is it? I am just curious. Also, I went back to a different doctor today and mentioned my anxiety and reflux. This doctor wants to try Lexapro. Does anyone know anything about this drug. Doc says that this medication aids the stomach more so than Zoloft. Anyone got feedback on this????? I want a second opinion here....Thanks, dawnngone

[GW]

Hi guys,

Ativan is another drug in the class of Benzodiazapine. And like all benzos, I would imagine it can help as a CCK antagonist as well. It's like a lot of things in the medical field for each individual.....it's a "crap shoot". What works for some ..yada yada yada. :)

RED FLAG WARNING .....though. Please, please, please don't mix these drugs in your system. Make sure you do a proper weaning off period of the others. Make sure, also, that nothing of the old one is hanging around in your system. Give it a month in between for sure. Otherwise, the interaction can be fatal. I'm not kidding. :mad:

'nuff said,

Later Daze!

G

[michael]

Thanks for the info GW. I was prescribed this after my GP gave up on finding the cause for my symptoms(lightheaded/dizziness, cold extremities, nausea. Had all the cardiac and upper GI testing done and all normal. I was reluctant at first to take it but decided to experiment with it a few months ago. While on the drug(1mG/day), most of the symptoms went away and I was feeling great. The only complaint while on the drug was some drowsiness and slight problem with concentrating; these are common side effects of this drug and I could handle these side effects better than the lightheaded/dizzy and nausea ones. Just to check if taking the drug wasn't coincidental, I stopped taking it abruptly. After about 2-3 days, some of the GI symptoms returned. Then after a week, I gave in and began the 1mG dosage again. In about a day or so, I began feeling better. Continued taking it for another 2 weeks and felt good over that period. Then 2 weeks ago I stopped again but this time tried to avoid alcohol and coffee(decaf). Not feeling as good as when I was on the drug but at least the symptoms are tolerable. I think I've proven to myself at least that the anti-anxiety drug does work. If I need to get back on it again, I'll take it before bedtime instead. That way the drowsiness will be strongest while I'm sleeping instead of during the AM drive.

Thanks for reading.

[GW]

Yes, Michael, you found something that works for quick relief. The trick is to use it to form your new health regimen which may include holistic feeding, supplements, exercise and a good protein rich diet besides. Once the Benzos halt the excess bile that you can't use , like while sleeping, you can begin to heal the results of all the acid that's done it's ugly deed. And that, afterall, is THE goal.....is it not?