Constant heartburn and lose stools, worried sick

Hi, has anyone any advice or experiencing the same please

I'm a 36 year old female and will be the first to admit I have chronic health anxiety since I was 19 (when my mum got cancer) 

For the past 6-7 weeks I have heartburn every day, it's burning up constantly and driving me mad. Doesn't matter what I eat or drink. I was told about 10 years ago I most likely had reflux and was put on omeprazole 20mg. I've always had heartburn on and off but nothing consistant like this. The doctor told me to up my dose to 40mg for a month. It hasn't helped at all. I've now had to come off the omeprazole so I can be tested next week for Hpylori. Alongside the heartburn I mainly have lose stools that float. From extensive googling I've read that floating stools is a serious sign and I've convinced myself this is really sinister. I've got myself in such a bad way mentally that I can't function. I'm struggling to think of anything else and don't know how I'm going to cope waiting to get an answer as the waiting lists are usually long for any tests. I'm crying constantly. I've had the most difficult year and broke up with my kids dad. I was highly stressed when this began and now I'm terrified I'm seriously ill. I've no one to talk to as my mum has terminal but stable cancer and I don't want to stress her out. I hate that my anxiety is so horrendous (I'm on antipsychotics for it) but I can't stop reading horror stories online and convincing myself it applies to me. 
 

Any reply il be very grateful, I'm going to try and stay on this site for support and stop googling. 
 

Thanks 

  • I'm sorry you're having such a horrible time. It's natural to assume the worst but there can also be some simple explanations for how you are feeling and the symptoms that are presenting, such as anxiety itself. This can cause all of those symptoms. Or perhaps a food intolerance or condition such as coeliac It could be gallstones especially as your stools are floating. The medications you are taking could also cause such symptoms so there are a few things to rule out really. I would suggest discussing it with your GP again to investigate further. Hope you feel better soon. X

  • Hi! Reflux is such a common complaint, as are loose stools, and unfortunately both of these can absolutely worsen when anxiety is high. Anxiety and the GI system are not friends!

    I'm an endoscopy nurse and see patients with your symptoms all the time. Cancer is very rare to find. There are many, many other more likely reasons for your symptoms. Avoid Dr Google if you can. Let us know how your HP test comes back. 

  • Hi

    maybe speak with your doc but please don't stress too much I have had all those symptoms numerous times and not found an issue yet. I think quite common. A dietician may be able to help with both. 
     

    hope all goes well x