TERRIBLE sharp shooting pains tonight

I had a few yogurt covered almonds tonight which may have caused this. Tonight I have been having HORRIBLE sharp shooting chest pains that come for a few seconds, then go then come back. Its not like a burn, it feels like someone is squeeze and piercing my heart at the same time. It hasnt been this bad in awhile. My heart seemed to be pounding out of my chest irregularly too (could of been anxiety of course but did not seem like it) So now I am paranoid it is my heart again. I have had EKG's and an echo and it came back fine. Any chance something could have been missed? I know its more than likely GERD (given that my stomach burns sometimes and I burp a lot) but it has got to be VERY bad for it to be like this.

Does anyone else experience sharp pains this bady? I am getting very depressed.

King1234:

By now I'm hoping you've perused the other posts and have seen my answer to your other thread regarding pain. I think the information you read in other posts will help you understand possible causes of the pain. The digestive organs and heart just happen to occupy close space inside your chest and unfortunately, we can't unzipper ourselves to look inside and see which one is being cranky. However, you've had the cardiac tests and your heart checked out OK - so stop thinking heart attack.

You aren't going to resolve this pain before you have your appointment in 2 weeks - so just know you're going to continue to have episodes. You aren't going to learn exactly what is wrong or what triggers an attack of pain from any of us, but you will learn that you are not alone and that pain you currently have does not always mean a life-threatening illness. After reading the posts you should determine that you are in the same boat as the rest of us and many of us have been in your shoes. In other words, keep a positive attitude and don't get depressed. Seeing the GI is your first step in the right direction.

Now instead of worrying about what could be causing the pain, do something proactive and provide your GI with some solid information when you go to your appointment - starting today keep a list of everything you eat during the day - eat and drink as well as quantity. Then write down how long after you ingest something the pain starts or note if all was OK. Make columns so that you can write the item, time of day consumed, time pain began, describe the pain (i.e., starts in chest and radiates to another area, is confined solely to your chest or something like that), if the pain intensified, and when the pain eased off. You can go to that appointment armed with information that your GI can use. You will have 2 weeks worth of accurate information to give him instead of sitting in his office during the appointment and trying to remember exactly what you ate and how you felt 2 weeks earlier.

Also, make a written list of meds you take now and what you took before. Obtain copies of the cardiac tests or at the very least write down the tests you had and the results so the GI knows cardiac issues are ruled out. Write down what you wrote in the post to us regarding the medication working before and not now. Don't try to remember to tell the doctor all these things during a consultation - you're bound to forget something and it could be an important piece of the puzzle. As you think of symptoms, write them down. If you see any similarities with what we've experienced and what you are now experiencing, write it down and ask the doctor if our diagnosis could be the same for you. Don't sit back and go to that appointment empty handed and wait for the GI to tell you what's wrong - go there prepared to help him help you.

Good luck.

Hey King...no problem for listening to your rants...LOL, that is why we are here. I am very happy that your appointment is next Thursday...that is great, because you will be able to get some answers, and hopefully some relief as well. Happily gave you great advice on what to do at your doctor appointment next week, so take that advice, and lets go from there. Please hun, keep us updated!

Dear King1234,
Time to share your appoint results with GI, what did the doc sayand suggest, please keep us posted, since it might help anyone of us, going through the same.

God bless you all, and may we all find LASTING HEATLH & PEACE.

Best regards,

Arfa

Hi guys...So my GI said he does not think it Barretts because its pretty rare, BUT that he cannot tell what is going on without going "in". With that said, I have an endoscopy on Wed. Which I am PETRIFIED of. I am more scared of "twilight sleep" then the procedure because I am very sensitive to medication and have very low blood pressure. With that I may opt to NOT have it....any thoughts?

So he was more concerned that the aciphex is not working this tme around so he gave me prevcaid (sp?) samples. I have have not taken them yet as I wanted to wait to switch meds till after the endo when we know whats going on. Ironically the past 3 days have been MUCH better, maybe Aciphex is starting to work? I can feel my esoph. spams now (literally can feel my esoph. moving) but it is now not painful. Still not good I am having them though.

I also wanted to share with everyone that aloe vera juice is helping me a lot.......

Wish me luck and pls share your feed back on endocsopys if you have had them. I will fill you all in on Wed.

Thanks so much for all of your support!!

Grace, what did your mom take to relieve her symptoms? I assume she didnt just chow down on bananas everyday? :)