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reflux pain below breastbone

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 7/24/2011 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I take 20mg Prilosec daily.  I woke up one morning 2 years ago with terrible pain right below my breastbone.  Pain was a 10.  Spent 5 hrs in ER.  They sent me home still in pain.  I was really depressed feeling the same way and going home.  I got home and took a 20mg Prilosec.  First time I had taken one.  3 hours later pain stopped.

I try once in a while to come off this and I'll have another attack.  I tried to come off this the last 2 days.  Woke up this morning 3:00 AM with an attack, took the pill and now 8 hrs later I'm feeling better.  I've had about 20 attacks.  Usually 2-8 hrs and I'm fine.  I never have an attack if I take the pill daily.  My question is, Does anyone have this?  One DR told me this is a spasm.  I was almost ready to take a 2nd Prilosec.  I'm feeling better right now.  It took 8 hrs...Thank you!!!

Posted 7/24/2011 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Stringplayer,

Welcome to Healing Well! Sounds as if you're definitely in the right place. On the bright side, at least you've found a medication that stops your pain (although obviously at times, not quickly enough).

Since you respond to Prilosec, it's pretty clear that reflux is the issue. There are friends here who have had esophageal spasms caused by reflux, so hopefully one of them will be by soon.

Have you had any testing to check you for how severe your problem is? The tests I'm referring to are:
barium swallow
endoscopy
manometry
24hr PH monitoring
stomach emptying

Have you been to a GI doctor about this? If not, I'd suggest you make an appoint right away. Also, that you stay on the Prilosec at least until you have seen the GI doc and been evaluated.

Good luck! Glad you've joined us.
Denise
Posted 7/24/2011 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
stringplayer-
Welcome! I 2nd what Denise said with one addition. Have you tried any antacids like Malox chewables when you have an attack? I personally don't have any luck with tums or rolaids, but the Malox chewables are larger and crumble easily. This seems to me to absorb the acid and coat a bit better. Since the prilosec helps it sounds like reflux and I have had the pain in the same spot as you. If you take an antacid and it helps faster you are even more likely to have reflux. Spasms are very painful and GI docs do have a few meds to help with them. Like Denise said, I'd get an appointment with a GI doctor soon.

Take care,
Bill devil
Posted 7/24/2011 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Denise and Bill. My DR in 2008 did my first colonoscopy. That was perfect. I have putting off the Endoscopy...I dread that. I have tried all the antacids, no help. As serious as this is, the pain is big time 10, A couple of times I massaged my solarplex area and pain stopped in 1 mnute. Hard to believe. 8 hours of suffering this morning. The massage must haver relaxed the spasm. Also my abdomen swells out, bloated when this attack happens. And when taking a deep breath, my whole abdomen feels sore when this is going on. As soon as the Prilosec kicks in, I'm good to go.....
Thank you again Denise and Bill!!
Posted 7/24/2011 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
The endoscopy is nothing because it can be done while you're asleep. :)
Posted 7/24/2011 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, you really should get into a GI and get that upper scope done. Sounds like you may have both, spasms and reflux. I can feel your pain. With this tear in my esophagus it causes some nearly unbearable pains, but only eases up with good pain meds.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 7/25/2011 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Stringplayer, yes I have this too!!! I've been to the ER twice now. The only bad thing (for me, anyway) is that is usually goes away while I'm waiting, so by the time I see a doctor I feel pretty silly telling him that I have no symptoms... but it was REALLY bad before, honest!! :)

I have to 3rd what Bill and Denise said... I was given Gaviscon at the ER and it seems to do the trick, but only while I'm having the intense pain, which comes and goes. I still take 40mg Nexium daily.

I personally use and like the liquid, but other users like the tablets, too. Whatever works for you.

I really hope that it clears up for you! This pain is horrible, I understand you completely.

Good luck!
Posted 7/26/2011 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Aeshleyrose, Thank you so much for your comment....I have tried Gaviscon Liquid.
Just bought some more last night. My pain doesn't come and go....I'm sorry you have this but it's nice to talk to someone who understands. Thank you again.
I am a musician who plays concerts and it would be terrible to have an attack at show time. I stay on Prilosec to make sure this doesn't happen. I hope to be off of this someday. I used to take Pepscid before these bad attacks, for minor acid or irritations.
But, I started having weakness in my right hand when I would pick something up and my hand would shake. Very scary for a musician. I knew it was the Pepscid. I stopped immediately and in 3 or 4 days I was fine. I had taken it for 8 months. I found out later about other people having the same side effects. Of course medicine affects people in different ways. I count on Prilosec. I hope I never have side effects like that.
Thank you again :)))) Good luck to you!!!
Posted 7/26/2011 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Joy and Bill!!
Posted 7/26/2011 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
stringplayer-
just curious, but what instrument(s) do you play? I am assuming by your name some type of stringed instrument,

Bill
Posted 7/26/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bill, I play guitar!!! All types of music. Finger style!! I play guitar concerts all over the country. Thanks for asking.
Posted 7/26/2011 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
I play guitar too. Mostly Bluegrass and country. I was just talking with my nurse tonight and said I should have brought my guitar since I've been here 5 days without doing anything. Might have my wife bring one up this week just in case.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 7/26/2011 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
That's great Bill!! I've played with Chet Atkins and Les Paul!! Have videos on youtube. CDs out.....
Posted 7/26/2011 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome, now I'm jealous!

I'm just from a hillbilly family full of bluegrass pickers.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 7/26/2011 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Bill, That's good. I like bluegrass. Chet was from Luttrell, TN. Very poor. Lots of country music. I play country. A little of everything..
My latest CD has 21 songs. Everything from Wildwood Flower to classical, Jazz, pop...

Take care,
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