GERD Related Chest Pains

Hello, everyone!

 

I am a 28 year old mom and wife....

 

I have been to the ER about 3 times in the past 3 months because of scary chest pain... it usually is under my left breast bone and feels like a small knife is poking at me. Other times it is just dull and achey, but can last for hours at a time.

 

It does worsen when I eat too much or I bend over or something...

 

I have tried acupuncture, cupping massage therapy, and am now just getting regular massages to help alleviate the symptoms. They have gotten better, but the chest pain seems to come and go the past couple of days. I had not had any problems in about 3 or 4 weeks, but something triggered it again...

 

I have had a lot of tests done to make certain the pains are not heart related, and my heart is just fine...

 

It is pretty miserable, because it causes anxiety just thinking about it and knowing that I have this problem.

 

I am taking Protonix (40 mg) once a day, I have lost about 20 pounds ( I was previously about 60 pounds overweight), and have drastically changed my diet.

 

I no longer eat fried or fatty foods, but I have a hard time giving up bread... I do not drink caffeine or any type of sodas and I do not like to eat too much meat.

 

Any suggestions on relieving the chest pains?

 Okay, Joy...

I am a littel scared, but I have come this far right..

I appreciate your prompt feedback.

I had a CT done on the abdomen and pelvic area a couple of weeks ago...would it have shown up on there or only with the other tests you mentioned?

I have had a barium swallow done, but that was years ago and everything was normal...

If I do have this hiatal hernia, it can be treated and fixed, right?

Yes a hiatal hernia can be fixed I had a hiatal hernia that was repaired with my nissen fundoplication. Before the surgery I suffered from chest pains. I wish I could offer you suggetstions on easing the chest pain but the only thing I could do was just ride the bouts out. I basically had to sleep in a sitting position. My hiatal hernia was discoverd during an endoscopy test. The doctors basically just kept changing my meds telling and telling me top elevate the head of my bed. None of that hgelped. After years of going back and forth to the doctor I finally found a GI surgeon who listened to me and preformed the surgery. I am about 4 1/2 weeks our from my surgery and I am feeling better. As Joy said get the other tests preformed that way your doctor can get a better idea of what is going on and how to treat it. May of us have been through what you are going through and we understand.
Take care Mary

I know the chest pains are very scary. I used to cry a lot over my breathing problems and the pain that radiates from my chest down both my arms. Everybody told me that I'm making it worse but they just didn't understand how scary it is.

That was 13 years ago. Now, I don't panic anymore although it can still bring tears to my eyes when it gets depressing. Things that helped me are:

1) I sleep in an upright position

2) I eat tiny portions for meals but I increased the frequency to 4 or 5 times a day so I'm not losing any weight

3) I take my meds, usually PPI to control the acid with Maalox to help coat my stomach, and sometimes with Motillum, too, to improve the stomach movements and help digest
the food faster. Your doctor is the best source of info on what meds to take.

4) Make a diary of food that triggers it. For me, I think I'm actually allergic to something in the bread and pasta and other similar food. So less carb and more protein helps me a lot. I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) too, and when it flares up my GERD inevitably follows. I have to cure my IBS to cure my GERD

5) Be very disciplined in your food intake. Try not to be jealous of others who can eat your favorite meals/drinks which is now taboo for you. I still have trouble curbing my appetite when there's a lot of food on the table like during parties :( My current flare up is due to my recent trip from Hong Kong. I couldn't resist the yummy food and told myself, what's a vacation for if I don't enjoy? Now I'm paying for that...boohoo...

6) Everyone else was right... don't panic :P It will eventually go away.

When you get depressed, just read this forum and know that you're not alone. I know writing about it is one of the best therapy there is, too. I'll pray for you.

I really appreciate the support from you all!

 

I am still losing weight, thanks to diet and exercise, and my chest pains have really improved.

 

My doctor checked me for a hiatal hernia, but is not concerned that I have one...

 

He wants to see how I improve, before doing any further testing.

 

I still get chest pains, but it is very subtle and not as often.

 

I am sleeping better, at night, and I have really brought my stress level down.

Good Morning FAD,

I use RX Prilosec (omeprazole) and it works well for me. You can buy Prilosec OTC in 20mg caps which is the very same thing as my RX.  A 28-day supply of Prilosec OTC 20 mg will cost about $20.00 depending on where you shop.

You may want to talk to your physician about making the switch.

Good luck and congratulations on your continued weight loss and new eating habits.

Health and Happiness,

Kitt