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(New here) Heartburn - can you help describe pain?

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Posted 2/17/2004 4:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hello. I am new here, just registered today because I had my second really severe bout with heartburn/chest pain last night and NOWHERE can I find a real description of the pain.

 

My chest pain feels like a sharp, shooting pain off to the left of the center of my chest below the breastbone (yes, around where my heart is). It hurts more when I take deep breaths. Everything I have read has said that it is a burning in the center of the chest, but then it also says most people confuse it for a heart attack.

 

Reason why I am concerned is:

 

About 2 years ago I was diagnosed with GERD. I was put on AcidPex then. Later I learned they couldn't diagnose GERD by simply listening to my stomach with a steth. So I stopped taking the meds because I thought it was a sham. Then I got pregnant and couldn't take them anyway.

 

I just had my daughter 15 weeks ago. I had a c-section. I called in to make an appt. for a Kidney Stone and listed some other symptoms and the internal medicine nurse called 911 for me! They got here and wheeled me off to the ER. Because I mentioned chest pain they fear embolism. --- I got to the ER and they started to focus on aneurysm. I was so confused. After 7 hours there - an EKG, chest x-rays, blood work, and palpation exam - I was released with an unresolved case.

 

I went to the doctor and because I feel like such poo, the doctor wanted to put me on an antidepressent! The only reason I'd ever be depressed is because I feel utterly gross and no one can tell me why! I didn't fill that perscription, obviously, + I am breastfeeding. In the meantime, the ER said "probably indigestion". The doctor said "all symptoms of anxiety". This is RAGING chest pain. It last just a couple hours, but really, really hurts. It is frightening. I take TUMS (cause of breastfeeding), but I can't tell if it does a darn thing.

 

I need to know what heartburn feels like to get closer to a diagnosis here. My blood pressure is always great. My heart rate is always high (but I am 101 lbs and it always has been high) - I run 100 b.p.m. on average. This pain leaves me clutching my chest, but it is always gone by morning (it happens in the evenings mostly, small episodes in the day that last minutes now and again).

 

I'd LOVE any descriptions you could give me, sufferer to sufferer.

 

Thank you SO much!

Posted 2/20/2004 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Sassy i've had Gerd for about 9 years. It has never been worsened by movement. The burning sensation usually comes back up through the throat. Like a nasty taste. I also suffer from anxiety which does worsen during movement. Never had chest pains during a Gerd attack either. Hope this helps some. Msboo
Posted 2/23/2004 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Ive never had chest pain with ulcers or gerd. I had surgery to have gall bladder/stones removed, they gave me lorritabs and I had extrem. chest pain, they said I was allgeric to the meds.
Posted 4/6/2004 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had chest pains with heartburn or with GERD. Heartburn and Acid Reflux give you a burning sensaton right where your ribs meet in the center of your chest. Most people get the pain after spicey foods or very greasy foods have been eaten. You'd know the pain if you ever had it. Chest pains CAN come from anxiety. You have a young baby to care for. Are you putting too much pressure on yourself? Feeling like you can't keep up? Then you MIGHT be looking at anxiety attacks but I wouldn't take anit-depressants for it. Just a mild tranquilizer like Xanax or Diazepam. I had chest pain once. Swore I was having a heart attack. My doctor (let's call him DR. QUACK) kept shoving pain pills at me until it got so bad I FINALLY was tested. Turns out I had gallstones and by the time I got to surgery, my gallbladder was so infected it was 3x's it's size and was removed. I know your frustrations. Don't let the doctors push you aside on chest pains. Keep fighting to be tested for ANYTHING that could bring on this pain you're having. You may have to find another doctor. I sure did! Women's chest pains are always pushed off as "STRESS" related!!
Posted 5/19/2004 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Just something else for you to consider but first I will describe my GERD symptoms to you. It started off as a bruised hurt in the pit of my stomach, almost like someone punched me. It hurt so bad, I went into cold sweats, couldn't barely think...malox would't help at all. I also experienced extreme pressure in my chest , like I needed to burp but didn't and couldn't. I have experienced tiny needle pains in the middle of my chest. I also don't suffer from the typical sour stuff shooting up my throat. I at times also have a really bad taste in my mouth. I went through a period where everything I ate made it 100% worse. I went on ranitidine, didn't help, then went on losec- double dose and that seemed to help after awhile of taking it. I now only take one a day unless it flares up. When things got really bad (in my esophagus) when I was having the needle pains, I also went on sulcrate suspension. I have had the total heart work up and don't have a problem with my heart
The thing that I think may be going on with you is something called costrocondritis...I have this- it's inflammation of the ribs/spasms. Hurt like a bugger. It makes it difficult to take a deep breath. I get a lot of them right around the heart area, sent me to the doc many many times. I am actually going through it the last few days- still scares me even though I know what is going on. Something you can ask your doc about. Take care
Donna
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