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Does GERD cause chest pain?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 12/10/2011 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
On Weds I went to my Gastro doctor and he said that I have Acid Reflux (GERD) I don't have heart burn or anything Just this chest pain it feels like someone is standing on my chest and the pain is also at my breast too and one day I had this horrible pain between my breast it felt like someone was stabbing me over and over again for about 5-10 minutes it would also hurt to breathe in when I had that pain. I can't really explain the chest pain really but I know it doesn't feel good. I have been on my Acid Reflux medication for about 3 days now and nothing has helped yet. Could it be a muscle strain or something like that? When all of this started happening I was doing Zumba and Jillian Michael workouts but I haven't done those workouts that much, I did both of them again like 1-2 months ago and this pain comes ago goes but it would last a month then would go away then come right back and when I don't have the pain and someone punches me at my chest the pain would come back and it would hurt again. But my Gastro doctor says that it isn't a muscle strain and so did my dad because it would be gone by now and haven't done any exercising other then walking. What do you guy's think??? I have a appointment Jan 6 to go back. This pain has been going on for about 8 months now it will be 9 months in Jan, I also have been having cramps without a period for 8 months now too and when I'm on my period my cramps would be worse then it would be before, I also have been getting bloated too after I eat as well even with a small meal too.

Post Edited (Bethanii) : 12/10/2011 1:05:14 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/10/2011 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Bethanii,

Yes, GERD can cause chest pain, and many people have gone to an Emergency Room only to find they have GERD problems and are not experiencing a heart attack. A few weeks ago, I went through a similar experience after eating salsa and chips. Unfortunately, I believe I may have an esophageal ulcer, and I had Nissen Fundoplication Surgery three years ago which is causing me a lot of grief. I also have Barrett's Esophagus, so where the pain was originating from, I don't know. I'd rate the pain as a 6 on a 10 scale, so it was pretty concerning. After about an hour of pain, I headed for my local emergency room, but the pain subsided before I arrived, and I returned home.

I continue to have esophagus related problems, so I will be undergoing barium swallow xrays next week to see what is going on.

Another possibility for your chest pain may be Costochondritis, so I suggest you "google" that term and read about it. My sister has it, and it causes her a great deal of chest pain.

Good Luck...Rick
Posted 12/11/2011 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
My gerd started with chest pain. I never had any heartburn. The pain is actually from your esophagus, and takes weeks to months before it heals. Prilosec did not help me, even at 80 Mg dose, but Nexium has slowly helped me heal so at least I no longer get those chest pains. The Kouffman diet has also helped me get rid of some throat symptoms and reduce
my meds.
Posted 12/11/2011 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Same issue here. When my GERD problems started about 7 years ago, I had the chest pain with no heartburn. When I finally got scoped for the first time, I was told I had a grade B esophagitis and my GI said he was shocked that I had waited so long to seek help. I reiterated that I had never had any heartburn, although it did begin to manifest itself later on, which is why I had the Nissen surgery about 3 weeks ago. Get that taken care of asap.
Posted 12/11/2011 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I had chest pains before I was diagnosed with GERD a couple of years ago that were so bad, I thought my asthma was back. The pain felt like I'd swallowed a chip the wrong way and it radiated from my chest to my back and up to my throat. It happened only a couple of times but was one of the many symptoms of GERD I had not yet recognized. First of all, give the Nexium a chance to kick in. It took a month in my case. Also, watch what you eat and try and notice what food you ate before the chest pain started. That could be a trigger food for you. Regarding the possibility of muscle strain, I have a friend who over-did it on push-ups (she tried doing the male version) and ended up in the emergency department with chest pains. So that's also a possiblility. At any rate, you should get the old ticker checked out, just to rule out any possibility that it's a heart problem, but just know that you're probably okay and that it's just another 'wonderful' symptom of GERD. It's probably also totally manageable so don't be discouraged.
Posted 12/15/2011 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have had GERD for apprx 5 years.
When I first got sick with GERD, I could not eat for 4 days, other than some fruit and a bit of soup. I felt like there was a football sitting just under my breastbone, basically just a real heavy feeling. I did not have heartburn. But I did notice the week before that I felt like I had something sitting at the top of my throat. I kept swallowing to get rid of it, but it would not go away.
My doctor put me on Nexium and it did kick in and help about 3 weeks later.
Months later, I felt sick again. No appetite, had the heavy feeling in my stomach. And for the first time had chest pains. My doctor was away, so my husband took me to the ER. When I told them about the chest pains, they said it was more than likely due to GERD, but sent me for a heart stress test just to be sure. I passed that with flying colors.
Since I also have problems with my neck and shoulder on the left side, I go for regular chiropratic treatments. I have noticed that if my neck and shoulder are aching, I also get the chest pains. My chiropractor said that my chest pains could be a result of the problems with my neck and shoulder but to go to my doctor if I was concerned.
I would suggest if you are concerned about your chest pains that you get a stress test done. If nothing else, it will help ease your mind. More than likely it is a result of either your GERD issues or a muscle strain. But better to be safe than sorry.
Posted 12/15/2011 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
In addition to reflux, the burning from the acid in the tender esophagus, if you happen to have a hiatal hernia you can have pain when you eat or drink.

My stomach is currently moving partly into my chest through an enlarged opening when I eat and I feel pain right below the sternum or breastbone when this happens. Even my morning cup of coffee triggers this. Of course it doesn't show on x-ray or being scoped because the stomach is empty. Reflux does show when I drink barium, and the stomach can be seen to be partly above the diaphragm. That test is the only one that's worth anything for this condition. It's also non-invasive! No IV, no pain.

If the condition is not severe there's nothing to be done for it.
Posted 12/15/2011 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Bethanii,

Wow, what great info shared with you from the members.  I had heartburn first - severe heartburn.  When I would use Rolaids and stop eating certain foods the heartburn went away.  The reflux has only been over the past 7 years.

To the best of my knowledge,  chest pain is just one of the symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn and it can appear in a number of different forms. You may find the pain fiery or burning, stabbing, a dull ache and many more. Sometimes this is dependant on the type of acid reflux or the severity of the condition and sometimes it can actually be caused by different foods that may be triggering the reflux itself.

First time sufferers of heartburn can be quite shocked at exactly how painful the condition is and it is something that can be fairly impossible to describe to the doctor or other medical professional in order to get the correct treatment.

If anything changes with your chest pain or you feel it may be heart related do present to the ER .

Take care and welcome to Healing Well.

Kindly,

Kitt


 

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