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My 19 Year Old Grandson Has Developed Acid Reflux And
Question: My 19 year old grandson has developed acid reflux and is having great difficulty swallowing solid foods. Barium test and endoscopy were clear but he continues to have difficulty eating and has lost 30 pounds. Is taking Prevacid and Zantac along with Ativan due to eating anxiety. Has lost 30 pounds and nothing seems to be working.
Brief Answer:
Prevacid and Zantac are used for acid reflux disease and Ativan for anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
Prevacid and Zantac are both medications that reduce the acidity within the stomach and help improve symptoms from acid reflux disease. Generally, the patient uses one or the other, not both at the same time. Prevacid is generally more effective then Zantac.
As for Ativan, this is a drug that is given for anxiety. This is a very effective drug for anxiety but has a high risk of dependence and it should not be used for long times (not more than 1-2 weeks). For a longer treatment of anxiety other drugs may be used, which are safer and are also effective (SSRI drugs such as citalopram or sertraline).
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Prevacid and Zantac are used for acid reflux disease and Ativan for anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
Prevacid and Zantac are both medications that reduce the acidity within the stomach and help improve symptoms from acid reflux disease. Generally, the patient uses one or the other, not both at the same time. Prevacid is generally more effective then Zantac.
As for Ativan, this is a drug that is given for anxiety. This is a very effective drug for anxiety but has a high risk of dependence and it should not be used for long times (not more than 1-2 weeks). For a longer treatment of anxiety other drugs may be used, which are safer and are also effective (SSRI drugs such as citalopram or sertraline).
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Any suggestions to address the swallowing difficulties. Am I correct that the GERD can cause swallowing problems. He has great anxiety about choking or regurgitating food.
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
He seems to be having a choking phobia (or so-called Phagophobia). This is a rare condition but can really cause the patient to not be able to eat.
First, the doctors need to rule out structural problems (a mass or stricture in the esophagus), as it has happened in his case (he has a normal endoscopy and barium enema).
When the structural problems are ruled out, he would benefit more if treated by a psychiatrist. He will need SSRI drugs to address the anxiety (citalopram for instance) and also Ativan the first 1-2 weeks. A very important part of treatment is behavioral therapy and he should start this as soon as possible.
To conclude:
- because he has normal examinations than it is clear his problem is fear of choking due to anxiety
- in this case, a psychiatrist is needed to continue his treatment
- SSRI drugs, Ativan and behavioral therapy need to be combined
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
He seems to be having a choking phobia (or so-called Phagophobia). This is a rare condition but can really cause the patient to not be able to eat.
First, the doctors need to rule out structural problems (a mass or stricture in the esophagus), as it has happened in his case (he has a normal endoscopy and barium enema).
When the structural problems are ruled out, he would benefit more if treated by a psychiatrist. He will need SSRI drugs to address the anxiety (citalopram for instance) and also Ativan the first 1-2 weeks. A very important part of treatment is behavioral therapy and he should start this as soon as possible.
To conclude:
- because he has normal examinations than it is clear his problem is fear of choking due to anxiety
- in this case, a psychiatrist is needed to continue his treatment
- SSRI drugs, Ativan and behavioral therapy need to be combined
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
GERD may have caused him to have choking anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
It is likely that the problems with GERD may have caused him to start to have anxiety when swallowing but choking anxiety is a separate entity.
If he has acid and phlegm in the throat in the morning then it is important to take Prevacid. Prevacid does not reduce acid reflux but reduces the acidity of the stomach fluids, thus reducing the damage they may cause in the throat.If medications do not help enough surgery can be the final option to correct GERD.
He also needs to be seen by a psychiatrist to treat his choking anxiety as it needs its own treatment.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
GERD may have caused him to have choking anxiety
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
It is likely that the problems with GERD may have caused him to start to have anxiety when swallowing but choking anxiety is a separate entity.
If he has acid and phlegm in the throat in the morning then it is important to take Prevacid. Prevacid does not reduce acid reflux but reduces the acidity of the stomach fluids, thus reducing the damage they may cause in the throat.If medications do not help enough surgery can be the final option to correct GERD.
He also needs to be seen by a psychiatrist to treat his choking anxiety as it needs its own treatment.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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