HELP - Nissan 10 years ago - Chronic Chest Pains & Breathing Issues

Hello all

I had a Nissan done about 10 plus years ago due to chronic reflux leading to lung infections. I had pretty good results for a while, but for the last few years I have been experiencing chronic chest/ esophageal, upper back pains and excessive mucus, which is causing breathing problems, I am also experiencing some swallowing problems.

I've had ct scans, endoscopes, x rays, ultra sounds, more.

I have a new Ear Nose and Throat surgeon and he has ordered a modified barium swallow for tomorrow morning. He says it might have to do with modality of my esophagus. He has put me on a low dose of Tremadol which has helped the mucus problem, but is causing me more pain/ spasms in my chest. I took myself off of it today until I see him next week.

I am in a lot of pain, almost unbearable and at whit's end.

I have seen my gastro, pulmonary and primary md with no luck so far. I tried calling my new ENT today and received the run around from his nurse as he was full of appointments and in surgery tomorrow. I was told to go to the ER, I can go there, but what are they going to do, I have been down that road before.

I am looking for a real solution or at least a diagnosis that is an understanding of the problem.

Any insight would be helpful.

Post Edited (L M) : 3/19/2013 1:32:13 AM (GMT-6)

Had the barium swallow done today then headed over to the ER to see if they could offer some relief to the chronic pain.

After over 6 hours in the ER, getting the run around, they sent me home with Zofran for nausea and gave me basically, Mylanta. The pain is worse and I got no relief. They wanted to have me stay for a stress test, even after I passed the EKG, blood work and have had a stress test before. I don't get it, I'm not having heart related pains, my upper abdomen is tender and I have a history of this problem.. They even admit they don't think it's my heart.. Speechless..

I see my ENT next Thursday, I'm hopeful he has some insight, meanwhile I guess I'll suffer through..

Bill
Thanks for the reply, the barium swallow was looked at by the ER doctors after I said they might want to look at it and they didn't seem to know if it was good or bad. It looked like it was tight to me, but I don't know what I was looking at either.

Frustrated and not sure what to do next.. I feel like I've lost my mind..

Worked today, just got home. My esophagus still hurts but feels some better.

I've been taking my zofran, Gaviscon and Tylenol. Had a small bowl of Cheerios for breakfast and a little wonton soup for lunch. I'm starting to get hungry, but am looking to eat a light, easy meal for dinner.

I am really thinking this round was a combination of rebound from stopping the Omaprozole and a virus. It amazes me how little most of the ER doctors know about this problem. I am going to set up an appointment to see mygastro after my ENT.

I hope this share helps someone else and if anyone has any helpful suggestions for me, I'd appreciate a response. It's not an easy problem to properly diagnose and apparently there are quite many of people going through the same as me, who are not getting proper treatment.

I'll be staying on my new diet for the rest of my life, it's a life changing event.