My First ER Visit

The last 2 months of this year has been a little stressful for me. I ate only 1 big meal everyday, and slept late since I had been juggling school and work. I shared one bottle of white wine with my friend weeks ago, and another the next night along with a couple of beers. I slept late and woke up late the next day. I had fries while waiting for a friend to pick me and another friend up. Later on, we had heavy lunch (spicy food) with refillable soda, and coffee right after.

We were walking around the mall shopping when I noticed the shortness of breath, and difficulty in swallowing. My throat felt dry, and as if something was stuck in it. I tried breathing through my mouth, but I was already too anxious. My heart was pounding, and there was some kind of tingly feeling creeping all over my head. My vision became blurry, my knees felt weak, and I could not understand what was going on with me. I thought I was going to pass out. I was very scared.

My friends rushed me to the hospital. Everything seemed normal they said. I was diagnosed with GERD. They gave me medication, I felt better. I was a little exhausted and sad and a little embarrassed that I put my friends through such a situation. I went home with the medicines the ER doctor prescribed, and get ready for bed.

Before going to bed, I took 2 tbsps of Maalox, and one capsule of -- i think it was an anti ulcer medicine. The Maalox made my throat and tongue feel numb and it made me anxious, and I felt as if my throat was getting tight. I was having another anxiety attack due to the discomfort so I asked my roommate to rush me to the hospital.

I was admitted for 2 days. ECG, stress test, xrays of abdomen and throat all looked normal, the cardiologist even found some results "impressive". Blood work results were all within normal range. The nutritionist made me go on a bland diet.

I went home still a little shaken. That whole day at the mall was a bit traumatic for me. I've never experienced anything in that magnitude. I've always been a strong person, emotionally and physically. I've never been admitted for anything other than this. I was relieved that all my vital organs are fine, but I needed time to emotionally recover from that event. Now, I get a little anxious whenever my GERD acts up.

What usually happens is that I feel like I am unable to breathe properly, or that my throat is getting tight... i feel the acid go up my throat and in my mouth, I keep burping a lot, I feel as if my burps are "stuck" -- those are what trigger the anxiety. I am now able to control the anxiety, the GERD symptoms eventually go away.

The cardiologist suggested a 2D Echo to check for mitral valve prolapse. Also, an endoscopy is long overdue. I need to call the gastroenterologist clinic tomorrow. I was tested for H.Pylori at the hospital but came back negative, but was already taking medication and it might have changed the results... so I might have be tested for that again.

Like many events in my life, I know I will come out of this a stronger person. Some people think "its just GERD", but to me its something I need to conquer.

ciao,
gerd&me