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GERD - Chest pain/tightness/rumbling?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/17/2011 9:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

I'm usually on the Anxiety forum but I thought I'd ask a couple of questions since I am pretty sure I have GERD.

Today I took a trip to the doctor's after having bloating, chest pain and back pain since yesterday. My intention was to ask for a referral to see a gastroenterologist so I would know if my symptoms really are of GERD. However, to my dismay, the clinic was closed (I think they have some urgent matter and the sign says they will only open tomorrow evening). Disappointed, I walked around and decided to get myself a bottle of Gaviscon.

Now I'm home and have just taken 2 tablespoonfuls of Gaviscon after a small meal. I don't know if it'll work or not, but I truly hope it will - not so much the bloating, but the horrible chest pain. It doesn't stay in one place. One moment it hurts in the center, the next moment it will be somewhere on the left, then later towards the right of my chest.


Also, I notice that when I have that pain in my chest, a few seconds later I would feel something like gas moving around (imagine when you're really hungry and your stomach rumbles, well it's the same type of rumbling but instead of in my stomach, it's my chest!).

Does anyone get these 'chest rumbles' with GERD? Does your pain seem to move around? Does anyone have chest tightness with the pain?

 

I searched for similar topics but old threads came up, so I thought I'd post a new thread instead. Would really appreciate some replies.

 

Yours truly,

Pinks

Posted 3/17/2011 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Chest pain is pretty common with GERD or other stomach problems. The stomach is right next to the heart, just separated by the diaphragm. Chest pain does not necessarily mean, by itself, that you have GERD.

First, do you know that the chest pain is not from your heart? That should be checked out FIRST! You should have some tests to rule that out before going on to consider your stomach as a cause. Even if the stomach is a trigger, you need to check out the heart. The stomach is connected to the heart by the vagus nerve and can trigger it to give you arrhythmias. (This is what I get.)

Second, if you are not having symptoms of reflux - "heartburn" or sore throat and such - you can consider it might be just a hiatal hernia. This is not serious unless it is causing bad symptoms or is the "paraesophageal" type. Just Google the words.
Posted 3/18/2011 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Alcie,

Thank you for your reply!

I had a highly stressful traumatic event back in 2008 and since then I've had chest pains that come and go. I've spent a LOT of money seeing different doctors for different opinions, a cardiologist, had tests done, and I had all sorts of different diagnosis including chest infection, chest wall pain, asthma attack, muscle strain, gas, acid reflux, and finally when they could not find anything wrong...anxiety. I took anxiety meds for 2 years after which my doctor said I don't need them anymore.

So now, whenever I see my regular doctor for these pains, he would not take me seriously and say it is stress/anxiety/etc. I told him it was the pains that caused my anxiety, but he didn't seem to believe me. I saw another doctor, and she did not take me seriously either - said I am too young to have major heart issues (at 29 with a family history of heart disease, I do NOT think it is too young, but she thinks otherwise). According to her, my abdomen seems to have a lot of 'activities' going on (referring to the rumbles I mentioned) and that combined with the burping, is most likely gas. She told me to go back and see her again if the meds she gave did not work, as it could be acid reflux.

Apparently the meds aren't working and her clinic will only be open this evening. I dont know whether to rush myself to the ER only to have to explain everything all over again, or wait for her clinic to open since she's currently the physician I'm seeing.

Post Edited (Pinks) : 3/17/2011 8:59:32 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/18/2011 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Pinks,

Many hospitals and clinics run what they refer to as Urgent Care Clinics or After Hours Clinics.

An After Hours - Urgent Care Clinic  is generally open nights, weekends, and holidays for 24-hour urgent care throughout the year.  They are available to provide advice and treatment of urgent health problems (physical or emotional) including sudden, serious and unexpected illnesses, injuries, or conditions which require immediate attention.  Whenever possible, you are encouraged to call your primary care team or mental health care provider for advice during regular office hours; ideally, you should use the walk in clinics and urgent care facilities  for issues that cannot wait until regular clinic hours. If you feel you need medical or mental health attention but are not sure as to the urgency of the situation, you may call first to obtain advice from the answering sevice of your  clinic.  

Too young to have a heart attack, survivors say No !

I know you from the Anxiety/Panic Forum and find your posts to be honest, sincere and caring. :-)

Take care and gentle hugs,

Kitt

Posted 3/19/2011 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
I want to tell you don't give up I was diagnosed with Anxiety as well and like you I do have it because of symptoms I have been having and have since learned I have sleep apnea,gerd with really bad strictures,barretts esophagus,hiatel hernia,lupus,fibro, shoulder cyst and impingemnt I get surgery for that on the 30th, I was having shortess of breath and a hard time swallowing. I had a couple of NP blame it on my weight I had gained some because I was so sick and since then have lost 30 lbs....I so know how it is to have docs look at you like your nuts but please remember my story and that your not alone ..it seems that if docs don't know what is wrong for whatever reason they like to blame it on Anxiety or weight ..
LaDawn
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