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Posted 12/28/2007 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
My symptoms started a year ago with an ongoing chest pain. Today I still have chest pains (every day), feel pretty weak at times, and have joint pain (espceially knees) which increases with chest pain worsening. At times, pain is so bad that I can't function normally - can't perform at work, can't play with kids, almost can't do anything.

Pain in chest area is almost always there and I could not see any correlation with food. Pain warries - from mild discomfort to squeezing, almost unbereable, pain that comes and stays for hours. Did manometry which showed low pressure of LES spicnhter and I think data from PH test was screwed somehow, so no clear results. Pain is almost always associated with joint weakness, especially knees. in general at times feel pretty weak ... don't know why.

Did varios cardio exams to eliminate heart problems and everything in that area turned alright. Endoscopy revealed mild esophageal inflammation and small hiatal hearnia. Prevacid/Nexium/Protonix provided no releif at all. I also did chest CT a year ago scan which showed a nodule which scared me to death and this is when my anxiety was high and I could not sleep. This is when DR put me on 0.5mg Clonazepam twice a day and Trazodone before sleep. I am still on these two medication.
Routine abdomenal sonogram showed gallstones and HIDA scan showed underfunctioning gallbladder. Recommendation made by multiple DRs that I remove gallbladder which I did 6 months ago which I did. It did not help.

GI drs can't give me a clear diagnosis which is amazing. Gastro thinks that my symptoms (visited few known gastros in DC area) could not come from small hernia/low LES spinchter, but could be related to "visceral sensitivity". I was even recommended to see psychatrist - will try it out, but can't beleive that this could be caused by my mind. I know there could be brain-gut connection, but I don't feel at all that my mind is causing all this pain unless I can do it without knowing it.
Hope all of us feel mych better in the upcoming year.

Feel helpless sometime with my health problems. Anyone going through similar experience? Thanks. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Posted 12/28/2007 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have the same problem too. I had the same chest pain as you at first and then I started getting acid reflux, my GI told me that I have a small hiatal hearnia, and that I shouldnt be getting this much reflux. I have tried everything to no avail. Right now I think I going to go ahead and do the surgery. I dont know how bad your symptoms are, but you may want to ask your GI about your option regarding surgery. I hope you feel better, and keep trying to get answers from your GI. Dont let them tell you that its all in your head, only you know how you truly feel.
Posted 12/30/2007 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot for your reply. Unfortunately, I feel the same - chest pain/discomfort on a daily basis (could not determine triggers). Feel very weak/tired most of the time with joint paint (knees) increasing as chest pain becomes worse.

What test did you do? And did the GI recommended surgery because nothing else worked? My GI said that not everyone qualify for the surgery and because PPIs did not help me, I may not be a good candidate. I guess you are talking about Nissen surgery. Please confirm.

If anyone else has anything to say - please confirm. At times, feel very pessimistic about my situation since nothing seems to be helping.
Posted 12/31/2007 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Abos. I am sorry you are having such a hard time getting a clear diagnosis with your doctors. That can be frustrating. Chest pains that are constant can be a good number of different things, including GERD, indeed. Have you been to another doctor, for a second opinion? Sometimes you need another doctor to check you out, incase the first doctor missed something. I am confused about your doctor suggesting surgery if he isn't even sure what the problem is. Unless I am misreading your original post. My thought is...what the heck is there to do surgery on if he isn't positive that you have GERD? If I am wrong in my thinking, please tell me. Feel free to ask as much as you want...we are always here. I wish you all the best!
Posted 12/31/2007 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I am sorry that you are still not feeling well. For me the PPI worked but I had to take mega doses eg (nexium 40mg x2 daily) , but the reason why I am look into surgery (Nissen Fundo) is because the side effects from the PPI was too much for me to tolerate eg(blurred vision, severe constipation, trouble passing urine and many more)

P.S The test that I did were 2 endoscope, 2 xray and the Ph test, but the surgeon told me that I will have to do a next Ph test before he would do the surgery.
Posted 12/31/2007 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Abos, just checking in to see what you are thinking, if anything after reading your replies. Wishing you a happy and safe NEW YEAR!
Posted 1/1/2008 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot all for everyone's replies. Great to have this place to share thoughts as not too many people understand how painful and disabling this problem can be. Happy New Year to all!

It is incredible that doctor's can't tell me exactly what is going on. I visited three known GIs in DC area - one did upper endoscopy the other did Manometry, third told me what other two did he would do as well and that he thinks that I have 'visceral hypersensitivity'. I am even recommended to see psychiatrist - I don't mind going too anyone as long as I can get better. I just don't feel that it is any anxiety/depression that causes my problem, but rather it is the other way around.

I was cleared by cardiologist and pulmonologist.

No doctors recommended any Reflux surgery (other than gallbladder removal which I did 6 months ago). I asked for it. PPIs provided no releif at all. They say they don't see enough of a good reasons to have Nissen or anything else. As one of them said "you don't go and fix tire, unless there is a problem with tire". True, but very frustrating for me.

The biggest problem I have is that when I wake up in the morning feel terrible tightness/pain in my chest area that continues throughout the day (sometimes goes away), but I think that situation is getting worse. Also, I feel pretty weak and joint pain is worsening (especially knees) for some reason. Anyone can shed light on this?

So, of course this makes me worried + makes me unable to function normally.

Any suggestion on what to do next would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all.


 

Posted 1/1/2008 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Abos....glad to hear back from you. First of all, it is GREAT that you were cleared by a cardiologist and pulmonologist. That is a HUGE sigh of relief. Clearing your chest tightness of a heart problem definatley means you can find the problem at a more leausrely pace. You NEED to call your family doctor and stress to him what you are feeling, and that it doesn't feel right, and you need some answers in order to live your life. Do you have issues with anxiety? The reason I ask is because anxiety can for sure cause chest issues. Often times, people with anxiety related issues mistake their anxiety pains in their chest for heart problems, and other issues. That is why I ask. Thank you for clearing up my incorrect thinking about your doctor watning to do surgery. I was wondering why he would have suggested that without even truly knowing what is going on with you...so thank you for clearing that up for me. Please, stick with us, and keep us updated as to how you are feeling, and waht you are doing to get some relief! Wishing you the best!
Posted 1/2/2008 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks TammyGrl0528. I will be going through the series of doctors visits in next three weeks so we will see what the outcome of these visits will be. As far as anxiety I am not sure what to say. I thought when first time chest pains appeared, I must admit I was anxious. I could not sleep, I had racing thoughts etc. I don't have that anymore. However; since I don't feel good, I have thoughts of not good resulting outcome in my case - not sure if this negative thoughts are signs of anxiety/depression or just naturally being afraid that since this pain is not resolving my body won't be able to fight it forever.

But I truly think (I may be mistaken) that that is not the case anymore. I am taking 2-3 pills of Clonazepam 0.5mg daily that is supposed to help my anxiety issues which should result in lesser spasms and pain in general.

If in fact I have anxiety issues what are the symptoms and can they result in this tiredness and almost constant chest pain? Is it possible to be anxious and not feel that externally and have this mess in the body as a result of this? Sounds like a ficiton story, but I accept any suggestion to get better.

My last GI told me I have visceral hypersensitivity. Just got a bit educated on this subject from this site:
http://forums.heartburn-help.com/archive/index.php/t-827.html


Amazing what kind of connection there really could be between brain and our GI system.

Thanks.

Post Edited By Moderator (TammyGrl0528) : 1/3/2008 11:46:06 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/3/2008 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Abos. I edited your post only to make your link active so people can just click on the link and go to it. Thanks for sharing. For future reference, if you want to make a link active, just click on the earth with a paper clip thing by it, but you have to post reply, not do a quick reply, and copy the link in the provided box. Now, onto your issues. Anxiety can cause tiredness, and almost constant chest pain, indeed. Anxiety can do such crazy things to your body. The mind is a powerful thing. Let me tell you a little story...in March 2007, I started having panic attacks bad. I ended up being house bound for like 4 months because of them. I was convinced I was dying, because I was in a constant state of panic. IT was HORRIBLE. I FINALLY went to the doctor, and he put me on Lexapro, and Xanax...within a couple weeks, I was going out of the house again, and now, I am pretty much back to normal...though I have switched from Lexapro to Effexor XR, and from Xanax to Klonopin. Nothing was wrong with me physically, though I had myself convinced I had heart disease, cancer, and every other imaginable disease known to man. The theory of the story is, ANXIETY IS A HORRIBLE DISEASE TO HAVE, and looking into that more may not be such a bad idea. Please, keep us updated on how your doctor appointments go over the next couple weeks. Wishing you ALL THE BEST!
Posted 1/3/2008 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi TammyGrl0528. Thanks bunch for your reply. Just got back today from a DR who told that with everything that has been happening I am a good candidate for Venlafaxine (Effexor). I will give it a try to see if symptoms will improve.

A lot what you mentioned that you experienced has actually been happening to me. So I really hope to get out of this cycle of having pain, being afraid that pain will come back etc etc. I also somehow convinced that some bnad disease is hitting me.

Thanks for your support and take care.
Posted 1/4/2008 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I too have been there. Many years ago, and have been fine and antidepressant free for years with therapy and exercise etc...point being...never underestimate what stress, anxiety, and panic attacks can do to your body!!!  Good luck.

Posted 1/7/2008 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thansk everyone for your support. I am now on Effexor XR and Clonazepam and hopefully this will help me my health mistery.

All the best to all.

Posted 1/9/2008 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Abos...I do wish you the best of luck in what you are going through. I have been on Effexor XR for about 2 months now. It has helped me greatly, but I do find that it makes me tired. I actually meet with my pdoc on Thursday, and I am going to ask about going back down to 75 mg. I am at 150 mg right now, and I feel it is just too much for me. I shouldn't still be tired. I too am on Klonopin...I take .5 mg twice daily. It has made my life a lot more bearable. What are your dosages...if you don't mind me asking??? I wish you all the best hun!
Posted 1/9/2008 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks TammyGrl0528. Wishing you the same.

I am on Clonazepam (0.5mg - 3 time sa day) and Trazodone (50mg once a day before going to bed - helps with sleep) in last 14 months. I just started using Effexor (37.5mg once a day in the morning) 5 days ago.

BTW - what symptoms do you have? What is your main concern (physical if any)? Mine is chest pain, weakness (especially in the morning). As pain gets worse, worrying increases that doctors have missed something. It is amazing - don't feel at all that this could come from my head. But, anything is possible ...

All the best.
Posted 1/9/2008 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
My issues are about the same as yours...chest pains that are pretty constant, weakness, pretty much in the morning as well, fatigue. I too fear that doctors have missed something and that I am dying, and no one even knows...LOL. The mind is a powerful thing! I am not saying that this is FOR SURE all in your head...but with me, that was the case. Since last March, I have gone through a real struggle. I actually started here on the anxiety board, becasue I thought I was going crazy, I thought I had heart disease, or cancer, or something serious going on, when all along, THANK GOD, it was my mind. I was going through some pretty serious things in life, and it all got the best of me. So yea, it very well could be your head. It's amazing what your mind can do without you even knowing it. Seems that you and I have a lot in common!!! Wishing you the best always!
Posted 1/9/2008 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Woww ... very similar cases. I had few traumatic events last year (lost my dad with cancer battle + my mother got sick/depressed since she is suddenly alone) and that may be very well triggering events. And yes, I did zillions of tests and no doctor could find anything serious - I simply can't comprehend that I trigger this pain unconsciously. Don't know - may be true - our brains are too complex and many answers are unanswered today in modern medicine. I was hoping to deal with as I am dealing when I get headache - take a pill and pain is gone. but, in this case it is not apparently that simple. Have an Upper EDG end of FEB and we will see if there is any difference when compared with the one I did last 12 months ago.

I also had very racing, catastrophic thoughts at the beginning of this saga, but not anymore. But, pain is still there. From what you are saying (even with meds) you are still having chest pains? Where do they come from and why?
Thanks.
Posted 1/10/2008 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, our situations are extremely similar...WOW! I still get chest pains even with the meds I think when I get myself too worked up. My mind goes and goes. I have always been like that. I think a lot. In fact, I have kept a journal my entire life simply to get things off my chest so I won't go crazy...sometimes talking to someone isn't something I'd like to do. So, the journal helps. Anyway, I notice if I get too upset about something, or if I am thinking about something that really bothers me, I will start to get the chest pains in my left side...that's why I always thought it was my heart. If I calm myself down, they will go away...that's why I know it's nerves. The mind is a complex thing. And, I think we will never fully understand it. That is my opinion. I can't believe how similar we are. It is nice to find someone so much like yourself!!! Wishing you all the best!
Posted 1/16/2008 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
TammyGrl0528 or anybody else - is anything helping for chest pains (medications, natural remedy)? I have been on Effexor XR (37.5mg) for maybe 10 days, but really don't see much difference. For some reason, my pain is much worse in the morning or sometime during the night than when I wake up.
Thanks.
Posted 1/17/2008 2:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hy Abos... Truthfully, when it comes to my chest pains, I find releif in Klonopin. Also, I too am on Effexor XR, but I am on 150 mg of it. If you have only been on a small dosage, and for only 10 days, it isn't fully working yet, and it might be a good idea to up to at least 75 mg. Generally, they only keep you on the 37.5 mg for a short while. (atleast in my experience) Wishing you all the best...keep posting!
Posted 1/17/2008 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks TammyGrl0528. Did you notice any patterns in terms of when pain comes during the day. For some reason, the worst part of the day tends to be after I wake up or even sometime during early morning hours.
Dr. told me that he intentionally started me on lowest possible dosage for body to adjust and to check how medication is tolerated. Most likely, the dosage will increase. Take care and thanks once more. Hope you will feel better too.
Posted 1/17/2008 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Abos. In the beginning, there was a trend to my chest pains. I'd have them every single morning until I took a Xanax. Then, they'd go away. Since being on the Effexor and Klonopin combo, my chest pains are so rare, and there is no pattern what so ever. When I first started Effexor XR, I was on 37.5 mg for 7 days, then was upped to 75 mg. After about 2 weeks of that, she put me on the 150 mg, which is where I have been for over a month now, and I feel pretty good. I take Klonopin twice daily, .5 mg. Once in a while, I have to take an extra one during the day, but that isn't too common. You will start to feel better. It is hard when it comes to these drugs, because it is all trial and error! Keep me posted on how you are doing! Wishing you all the best.
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