Pinks said...
For any of you who suffer from GERD, or frequent heartburn... what does it really feel like?
Is it a burning pain in the center, left or right of chest?
Upper chest or lower chest?
More than 1 location (i.e. both left and right chest)?
Do you experience other type of pain associated with heartburn - throbbing/crushing/sharp/poking pain?
Any other symptoms (i.e. burping/passing out gas, nausea, lightheadedness)?
Only when lying down, or even when sitting/standing up/walking?
Thanks in advance for any of your input.
Pinks
Pinks, when my problem started, and I didn't even know about Gerd, I felt a discomfort right up the middle of my chest, kind of a hollow feeling. I thought it was from my stomach, so took some mylanta. A few weeks later, I had been sleeping, awoke hungary and had something to eat, went back to sleep, awoke nauseated and felt terrible all over. I didn't know what to do, but had some mylanta, and walked the floor for about 1/2 an hour, then had a big burp and felt OK.
Called the doc and he told me to take Prilosec, to differentiate from possible gall bladder or Gerd. I had some tests and the GB was fine, so I continued on the Prilosec. Things got worse, as I felt sicker and sicker, it seemed the Prilosec was making me sick. Eventually I had a scope done, yep Gerd, duodenal ulcer and some evidence of Gerd. Then I was prescibed Prevacid.
Up to this point, I never really experienced a lot of heartburn. It wasn't until I went off of the Prevacid that I felt heartburn. Went off the Prevacid as I had horrible side-effects from it. Then I was put back on Prilosec (go figure) and then more side effects from it and now off it. Heartburn again.
It feels like great discomfort in the middle of my chest also around the heart, and also in my left arm. It is a throbbing and kind of burning feeling. I'd say the burning is in the center and the left side. Maybe a sharp burning. It is horrible. Also it makes me very nervous. Poking, no, and I never laid down while experencing a bout of it. I ususally am busy taking something for it to go away. But I am not sitting or , standing and walking is what I am doing, trying to get busy and think of something else till it subsides. Of course it can come on while sitting, standing or walking.
Walking a lot cause I am nervous from it. Makes one feel like one might be having a heart attack because of the pain/discomfort in the left arm. Yes to lightheadedness, and hoping I would burp or something. I do burp a lot, which gives a lot of relief. I believe the release of the acid is what effects the body and makes me nervous.
I didn't have a lot of this while on the Prev/Prilo or before as I guess it was doing its job, but after I went off of them, the acid let loose. As it seems I cannot handle the meds, the doc said to take Pepcid AC when I needed it. Well, that made me have ringing ears and insomnia, so threw that away.
For awhile Rolaids helped, then it wasn't helping.
Next time I had the heartburn, I did the apple cider vinegar in some warm water also added some honey and WOW it was GONE almost immediately. Now I am taking it after every meal, also drink some aloe juice before every meal.
I will do anything to try to avoid the meds.
More than likely this is more than you wanted to know. 
You need to see your doctor, make sure he/she is a good one. My doc was the pitts! I found a gatroenterologist on my own!!!! Good Luck Pinks, and take care of yourself. 