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Back Pain and GERD

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 5/22/2011 11:44 AM (GMT 0)

I've been officially diagnoised with GERD for a few years now.  Over that time my symptoms have changed so that my pain is almost exclusively in my back.  But I worry how to know if it is in fact GERD vs something else like heart, stomach or pancreas issues.

Lately the pain will not stop.  And the pain changes.  Sometimes it aches.  Sometimes it burns.  Sometimes it feels like a tearing pain.  It runs up and down my spine and will hurt between my shoulder blades.  Its constant, the only thing changing being the intensity.  At night it seems to settle in my back at around where my spine meets the bottom of my rib cage.

I'm taking Nexium (20mg) and Ranitidine (300mg) daily.  In the past, if I cut out sodas any pain would disappear but not this time.  It has been a solid two months with no decrease in sight.  Last night, for the first time, eating a large meal seemed to make it worse and my stomach felt full all night.  Argh.

This past December I went in for the full heart check.  Stress test, EKG, echo, chest xray - all normal.  The dr then had me have a CT chest scan with contrast - that too was normal.

Then in March I had an abdominal ultrasound to check gallbladder, liver, pancreas, etc.  Everything normal.

It has been about two years since I had a scope of my esophagus.  Right now I just started a new job and don't have health insurance for another month so that isn't currently an option.

Needless to say my anxiety is high since the pain just will not stop.  Just trying to get ideas as what to do next.

My questions:

1.  Does a CT chest scan with contrast rule out cancer of the esophagus?

2.  How would I know if this pain were my esophagus vs my stomach vs my pancreas?

3.  Am I crazy or do other people have heartburn pain in their back only?

4.  Any suggestions as to getting this under control?

5.  Can the meds just stop working?

I'm just really frustrated and tired of spending my days and nights with with this aching, burning back pain, with no relief in sight.

Posted 5/22/2011 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I think only a biopsy can totally rule out cancer, as cancer can start as very tiny areas of abnormal cells.
It's very hard to pinpoint pain: mine radiates to my back but not to the extent yours does. I think pancreatitis would make you feel very ill, but if the pain keeps being that bad you should check with your primary carer again.
Is it at all possible that you have a slipped disc??
If all "nasties" have been ruled out and your internal organs all showing OK then they need to check if it could be muscular or bony in origin.
Antacid medication - doesn't exactly stop working but people do seem to "outgrow" it! That is to say your need for it just gradually increases, in some people and it can take a while to find a winning combination of drugs.
Are you taking any gaviscon type stuff too? (Stuff that coats your oesophagus)
I think GERD and anxiety just don't mix, and you do need to address anxiety issues too. I definitely get worse as soon as I get into a situation where being ill would be a nightmare, like on holiday! Instead of my brain relaxing and thinking "Isn't this nice" it seems to think "Oh no, what if I got sick here, what if I can't get extra medication etc etc" !

You have to get some more professional advice: if your GERD is under control then something else could be causing the back pain. If the GERD isn't well controlled then you need to pursue more treatment for that. And lastly, it's possible that you need some help for both GERD and a separate back pain problem.

There's not a lot you can do without seeing a doctor. You could possible ask around for a good osteopath or chiropractor just to see if they can identify any bone or muscular problem.

I do hope you're feeling better soon.
Posted 5/22/2011 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
PS: afterthought - did you get your kidneys checked??
Posted 5/22/2011 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi HBblues,
Welcome to Healing Well! You've already gotten some great feedback from mudmagnet! It does often happen that when we have a problem, we can assume that problem is the cause of other, unrelated aches and pains.

Since you've had everything tested and have a clean bill of health (I was thinking gallbladder before reading your whole post) you might look into a possible skeletal problem.

On a side note, my husband has definite gallbladder symptoms and so far his tests have come back clear. I have heard of others who have experienced this, and in the end have found gallbladder to be their problem. I'm not saying that's what is happening in your case--it's just a thought.

Good luck getting to the bottom of this. I'm sure others will be by soon to weigh in on the subject.
Take care,
Denise
Posted 5/22/2011 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
They looked at my kidneys during the abdominal ultrasound.  I also had recent blood tests that looked at liver function, kidney function, basic blood panels.  Doc said everything looked fine.

I've never heard of gaviscon.  Online it looks interesting and I'm willing to try it.  Will see if I can find it today.

My wife is convinced it is due to a life-time of poor posture.  Unfortunately I can't take NSAIDs due to being allergic so no anti-inflammatories for me.  I'll probably go see a chiro sometime soon to see if that would help.

I guess its back to the gastro doc when my new insurance takes effect in July.  Just start the process of elimination to see if I can find a cause.  It is just very frustrating living with daily pain. 

Posted 5/22/2011 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi HBblues,
It sounds as if you've gotten all your bases covered. Good job following through on everything!

On the off-chance that it spinal in origin, have you tried ice? I can't take NSAIDS either, as I have a very reactive stomach. Ice is my friend, and I use it as an external anti-inflammatory often.

Hope you feel better soon!
Denise
Posted 5/22/2011 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried ice.  But it didn't seem to make any difference.  I did only use it a couple of times with no real effect.  How often / how long / how frequently do you use it to see a difference?
Posted 5/22/2011 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi HBblues,
If it's inflammation, it will take a while. I would use ice whenever you sit down. When you're sitting in the chair to read, watch TV, etc...just stick ice behind you.

Your problem may not be effected by ice, but I thought I'd share the way I get around not being able to take NSAIDS.

Good luck!
Denise
Posted 5/22/2011 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Gaviscon is freely available here in the uk, but in the States there's probably a very similar over the counter product.

You could try fish oil or linseed oil as a natural anti inflammatory but it will take at least 2 months to get maximum benefit. Worth a go though.

If it's gall bladder related would it not be worse after fatty food? If your symptoms fluctuate a lot you could keep a food and symptom diary to try to pin down any pain triggers.

Keep your chin up and get some more medical input as soon as you can. A chiropractor might prove interesting as sometimes there is a link between the spine and internal structural problems such as hernias. I love my osteopath, she works miracles on my back, but she's not got through to my GERD yet!
Posted 5/22/2011 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
We've got gaviscon here. :)
Check with a back doctor about your back.
Posted 5/23/2011 6:18 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry mudmagnetmum

Again I just wanted to also exchange research and sites you found and I found.. like i said this forum thing is new to me but i got fed up with the symptoms so i want to do something about it and read your posts while searching Heartburn away...in case you are wondering...Anyways thanks.
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