This is only my own theroy. I personally believe that nerves play a big role in AR. Don't rule out going on anti-depressants quite yet. That may be the one thing that will help you most. And by no means am I saying that going on anti-depressants is the only way and foolproof way for anything. Just that the option is out there for you.

I think you're right, the valium seemed to not help reflux after awhile & made me depressed. I'm trying Buspar now seems to be helping. I have always had much too much stress & held it in now I'm paying. I'm 66 so Dr sd thats a safer med for older people. I also have COPD & lost alot of weight from that & being so sick 8mo. So now I'm also trying to stop smoking, something I used as a crutch all these yrs to handle the stress, or so I thought.

Just try to alway remember redjoy, that everything is just a bandaid on the problem. Whether it be drinking, recreational drugs etc......the underlying problem still exsists and untill you get to the bottom of those problems they will always be there and we have to learn through the best way that works for us to cope with them.
Do me a favor and click on my user name and just take a look at what I have to put up with. I consider myself a doctors worst nightmare. But my GP is a doll and my neuro is doing my pain managment. They both trust me, all I have to do is call and it is done. My pulmonologist is the same way. Normally, I don't even have to go into the office with the symtoms I call in. It is a great feeling that they all know I do not abuse my drugs. I almost died twice from lung issues and I don't want to die due to my own malace.

Hugs and I am 60 years old so don't feel bad. These disordors don't pick age. They just happen with circumstances.

Carrie

Boy you have been thru alot but keep going thats the main thing! I'm gonna fill out my my info now I didn't do it. My biggest trigger thru the yrs as been my younger daughter who is bi-polar but turned to drugs & has been in & out of prisons & mental hospitals. She tries very hard but has a hard time making it, she's in N/A now which helps.

I have been treating it naturally do the slippery elm, licorice & aloe juice. As I sd I have a very stressful life & when I get upset that's when it bothers me. I have found that taking the buspar has helped alot with that. I have always tried to do things naturally, not on any meds except that which I started about a week ago. One of my other problems is COPD from smoking too many yrs, used it as a crutch.
I do believe what you say all those meds are just a bandaid got to work on the problem causing it, Thanks