Strange chest sensations as part of IBS

CathyA said...
Hi all,

   I have IBS-D, which is wonderfully controlled with calcium.  I have a question for you.  I have never had pain from IBS.  What is the absolute worst symptom for me besides incredible bloating is constant chest sensations that feel like there must be a small animal living in my chest!  For a long time, I thought it was irregular heartbeats, but it's not.  It's the sensation of rapid pressure changes in my chest.   Maybe it's gas that presses on my intestines, which press on my diaphragm, which presses on my heart, and then it suddenly  moves, and changes the pressure feeling??  It's a VERY uncomfortable feeling.   Have any of you experienced this?   These symptoms are also controlled with 1200mg of calcium a day, but if I skip one dose, those feelings return.    I haven't talked to anyone who has had this symptom, and it makes me wonder what's really going on!  When I'm not using the calcium, it actually takes my breath away.  Any ideas?  Hopefully it isn't really a small animal in there!   Thanks.

CathyA,

I suffer from IBS-D and have had the chest pain for a while. However, it has gotten worse lately and I feel like I'm choking.My doctor sent me for a chest x-ray. The x-ray showed that I have arteriousclerosis. I am going to the cardiologist on Tuesday. I also suffer from GERD, hiatal hernia and gastroparesis. I hope I can find out what's going on with me as I am very frustrated and in a lot of pain. I will post an update as soon as I find out.

Hi. New to the forum.

I'm in the process of finding out the cause to similar symtoms described here.

Just a little background on me: I'm 33, married, account executive, love the outdoors.

It started in July 2005. I had a dirtbike accident in which I severley bruised my sternum and had a possible concusion. Did not go to the doctor until I started having strange sensations in my chest which would follow a brief period of dizziness and an urge to cough. Othertimes I would get dizzy and tired for long periods of time. This all began about 3 weeks after my accident. I will admit that I did get stressed over this because it was affecting me while trying to perform at work. Of course worrying just made it worse.

I saw my doctor who ordered a battery of heart tests. He diagnosed me with mild WPW (Wolf Parkinsons White Syndrome). I saw a cardiologist who performed a cathederization on me to find the cause. He saw no WPW though. I went back to my primary doctor still complaining of symtoms. He ordered and MRI of my head to see if I had anything abnormal with the brain or inner ear. Nope, nothing wrong there. I also had a blood sugar test done. Negative there. At this point I'm getting frustrated. I then sought the advice of my ent. He suggested that I get a sleep study for the dizziness and tired spells. Turnes out I have moderate central sleep apnea. Orders a Cpap and the dizziness and tired spells eventually susbside.

Still having the weird chest sensations off and on. They happen mainly when relaxed in a seated position. I feel better knowing it's not a serious heart condition but it's bothersome none the less. I've had acid reflux for years but have controlled it mostly with Aciphex. 2 months ago I decided to go see my gastro doctor to see if he could give me an answer. He ordered an endoscopy. I was diagnosed with having H Pylori, multiple peptic ulcers, and a Hiatal Hernia. The H Pylori came from food poisoning months ago. My wife got it too and took the meds to get rid of it. I did not get as sick as her. I suppose my body didn't reject the bacteria like it did with her. It did a job my stomach though. He first thought that these things may be causing esophagial spasms, which mimic heart problems with dizzy spells. After getting rid of the H Pylori, I still had these sensations in my chest. He put me through some more tests (Barrium Swallow, Motility and Bravo) which indicated that I had GERD severe enough to require surgery. I had a Fundoplacation done 2 weeks ago. No more reflux but I sill have the sensations. The surgeon says that the spasms/sensations may never go away.

As you see I have been on a quite a journey.  I'm glad that I have got certain issues under control but non of them have fixed the chest sensations that I was originally complaining about. I think its has to do with a nerve to my heart or in the chest wall. My heart feels like it skips a beat or pounds really hard for a coupe of beats, follow by the short wave of dizziness, then the urge to cough. I was told that WPW doesn't always show up in the early stages so I may need more testing. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

CW

Hi Chris,
I wanted to welcome you as well. 
Many people who complain about these strange chest sensations have no explanation for it.  However, like dbab mentioned, the assumtion is that it can be attributed to gas and/or anxiety.

I wish I could be of more help to you.

Take care. 

Thanks guys for the welcome.

CathyA,

To answer your question, yes. I've had a 48 hour holter monitor twice during the time they were trying to catch a WPW episode. After having a Liblation test, the Cardiologist thinks that my family doctor exagerated about WPW. It was frustrating having so many tests and that it took so long to get clear answers but persistence payed off. Atleast I know my heart is in good shape, no diabetes, no hypoglaucemia, and whatever else they tested me for. Lol.

Finding out that I had Central Sleep Apnea was a complete surprise. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common type but Central Apnea is kind of scary. The pulmonary doctor that found it says that I could have had a brain injury in the past to cause it. That made me think about the bike accident.

As for the chest sensations, I'm probably acting a little impatient. I just hope they'll subside once I fully recover from the Fundo. I too get them when I bend over or sit in a crouched position. As long as they are not a result of something serious, I can deal with it. The Vagus nerve is something I've not thought about. I have a follow up visit with my surgeon this week and will ask him what he thinks. Early on, my Gatrologist thought I was having spasms in my esophagus and put me on Levsin. That drug did not help with this though.

I will say that the surgery was a breeze if anyone is recommended on having it done. I only had to stay one night and pain went away in 4 days. The worst thing is that I have to be carefull not to swallow too much liquid or food at once or it will get stuck. Very painful. Total recovery time is about 4-6 weeks. I could tell an immediate difference in that I have no more heartburn or palapitations after eating.

All in all, I'm glad that things are finally being taken care of. Having so many symptoms at once was causing stress and anxiety. For me, peace of mind is worth every penny and every hour spent in getting these things under control.

Best regards,

CW

Post Edited (ChrisW) : 4/24/2006 12:17:39 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Ambers,
Are you on any HRT? I found that to be horrible in causing reflux. (Then again, maybe it IS just the perimenopause)??
I'm the queen of strange sensations under my diaphragm! haha Although I have to admit it has calmed down alot in the past year (knock on wood). I never could figure out if it was a muscle twitch or air in my transverse colon or what. Are you taking any calcium/magnesium? That might help. Also you might try B12 sublinqual supplements. Also, if you think its reflux, you could give something like Pepsid a try for awhile.
I don't lift weights, but when I would do any work leaning over, those strange sensations would definitely increase.
Just be sure not to eat before you do the lifting. Good luck on your journey through perimenopause.

To continue this topic, please start a new thread as this one is locked.

Thanks!