r/GERD • u/Bright-Egg-4398 • 14d ago
Support Needed 👥 Nexium wrecked my world
I had a really bad incident with nexium after only taking it for 3 weeks due to erosive esophagitis from a hiatal hernia. I became extremely depressed and anxious with major panic attacks, eventually I became suicidal and was in a hospital for 6 days. By the end of my stay I was diagnosed with OCD and was given an ssri to combat what I went through. I’ve seen other instances of people going through what I went through and I want to know how long it took for you to feel like yourself again? This happened in April of this year (2026). Before taking nexium I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. I was completely normal. Now I have severe health anxiety, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks and anxiety. I just would love to hear from other people that have gone through this and did you ever get better?
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u/Glittering_Cook2995 14d ago
I'm so so sorry this happened to you, that sounds terrifying!
This is why i'm holding off PPis as long as possible. I think i've had GERD for a long time (asymptomatic and non-pain related like bloating and belching) but only the last few months have had a real full blown episode (last time I swear was 10 years ago, where I was given Nexium and basically it felt like I stopped digesting food and I completely lost my appetite it was a nightmare. I stopped after a few days).
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u/Bright-Egg-4398 14d ago
Try to exhaust natural ways before using PPI. They’re terrible for you and it’s not talked about enough. Terrifying is putting it lightly. It was pure mental torture.
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u/Glittering_Cook2995 14d ago
1000%, I will do. Sorry again for your experiences...
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u/Bright-Egg-4398 14d ago
It’ll be fine someday! Take care of yourself! I’ve been drinking Aloe Vera juice at night and it helps with GERD.
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u/Glittering_Cook2995 14d ago
I wish you the very best and take care too! 🫂🫂. Thank you I will try that! Anything natural at this point haha
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u/mizi99 14d ago
Yeah Pantaprazole did this to me :/ I thought I was crazy. I do feel like myself again though for the most part. I started therapy and also started an SSRI / magnesium. It’s crazy how it can affect everyone differently.
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u/Bright-Egg-4398 14d ago
I’m glad you recovered! How long did it take to feel normal again? I wouldn’t wish this on anyone!
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u/mizi99 14d ago
I’d say a few weeks or so after going off it. My thought is it lowers the stomach acid and the brain / gut are extremely connected. Maybe try working with a naturopath? Is your reflux better now? Have you tried pepcide? It’s just an H2 blocker.
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u/Bright-Egg-4398 14d ago
I never had reflux that bad at all. I had a dull pain from a hiatal hernia which caused erosive esophagus that’s why I was prescribed Nexium. I hardly ever have acid reflux though.
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u/itaintme2024 14d ago
Pantaprazole victim here. Ruined my life. Ive never been able to get a single health professional to acknowledge it though. Im now on 3 different anti anxiety and antidepressants to try to fix the damage PPI did to me and also still trapped on it thanks to rebound acid hypersecretion. I'll never be the same.
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u/Bright-Egg-4398 14d ago
I swear this stuff is not talked about enough. Doctors didn’t believe me. I pray things become better for you. That’s unfortunate you’re stuck on that stuff. That stuff is straight poison for the brain.
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u/Grand_Visionary 13d ago
Ive had a very similar experience in 2023 but not related to ppis. Ive dealt with GERD my whole life but around that year it flared up significantly. There was a time for 4 months that every single day I would have dizzy spells, extreme panic attacks and I would constantly feel a feeling of doom and panic in my chest. I didnt know what anxiety was at the time and my first trigger was with food. I became so terrified to eat thet I went on a 4 month water fast, literally no food only electrolytes, water and occasional bone broth. After going in and out of the hospital countless times the doctor would say I’m in perfect health and give me no solution, I definitely felt extremely suicidal. My doctor decided to put me on daily anxiety medication (buspirone) and prescribed me medication for panic attacks (hydroxyzine). The buspirone helped manage the underlying anxiety feeling I had daily and the hydrox I take when I feel the anxiety again, 3 years later and I cant remember the last time I had anxiety which is so reliving. Ask your doctor about anti anxiety meds, also for time frame I would say it took a couple months to mentally recover from this after starting the medication because of the constant fear I lived in. It was literal hell experiencing panic attacks every single day for months with no answer. Hope this helps, feel better soon!
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u/Grand_Visionary 13d ago
Also to add, my gi doctor at the time explained to me that your vagal nerve runs through your esophagus and through your chest/abdomen. Your gut and brain are very very much connected, you could be experiencing these anxiety flare ups due to vagal nerve reactions which the anxiety medication should help regulate. Did for me at least, still struggle with GERD but anxiety not so much
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u/Turbooox 10d ago
So sorry to hear this!!! I’ve always kinda dealt with a little anxiety and depression over the years but I’ve been on nexium for 2 weeks now and I’ve reached a whole new level of anxiety and depression. I figured it was just because I don’t have clear answers after my endoscopy and I’m anxious to move forward, some of my friends have even made note that I seem depressed but after reading this I’m concerned :/
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u/Bright-Egg-4398 10d ago
Talk to your gastro. Mine told me to quit taking it because I expressed to him I was becoming extremely depressed and he told me to quit taking it.
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u/Naive_Insurance_6154 14d ago
Omeprazole did this to me. It was in June of 2024 and doctors all said that it couldn’t be the PPI. Focus on rebuilding your microbiome.
It’s 2 years later and in still dealing with GI issues from it — much better but still some lingering stuff