help! is it just acid reflux? - Acid Reflux / GERD Message Board

Nauthiz · 12-20-2008, 03:54 AM

Im so confused lately..... ive had MANY tests done on my heart dr's said all came back ok. Dr also said i most likely have GERD, main symptom i have is mild discomfort when swallowing food. (when food hits the sternum area probably entering stomach) Its very mild not to bad just discomforting. Also feels like my stomach is sensitive, esp with cold or hot food.

However i get this pains/cramps in the left side of my chest, right where my heart is! Its like the whole left pectoral area. I also get palpitations ooccasionally and sometimes when i lay down, i get a few seconds of a sinking feeling like someone dropped a boulder on my chest.

I often notice this cramp in my chest worse after physical activity. It often creates anxiety as i worry that something is wrong with my heart.

Has anyone experienced these type of symptoms with GERD? The strange thing is i dont really notice any specific symptoms to acidic foods, burning, regurgitation, vomiting or any other basic gerd stuff. Just sternum discomfort with dense foods, and these wierd chest/heart issues.. i hope someone can relate, my dr isnt very easy to follow.

P.S im 22 year old male, no family history of heart disease except in one grandfather, no pre-existing conditiosn other than prostatitis.

SolarGoddess · 12-20-2008, 09:47 PM

Hi Nauthiz,

My roommate suffers from that same GERD. But hers didn't start until she started taking Plavix earlier this year.

Are you on any medications that could cause that?

If you can not understand your doctor, then definitely seek out a new one. You should not have to suffer like that.

Tell me more about your symptons and I will consult with her on what her doctors are saying about it. If nothing else, maybe I we can help give you a set of questions to ask your doctor on your next visit.

SolarGoddess

MountainReader · 12-20-2008, 10:03 PM

Have you had a Modified Barium Swallow or Esophagram? They help detect any swallowing problems and sometimes the reflux. I have "silent" reflux that I thought was under control and those tests showed I still had reflux and food coming back up when I swallowed.

Nauthiz · 12-20-2008, 11:34 PM

thanks for the replies. I had a endoscope done and no problems found. I took aciphex and prevacid for awhile, but they made me feel really sick. The aciphex i actually took 1 dose and it gave me really bad heart palpitations so i stopped that....other than that i take no medication

I just have discomfort when food passes into stomach, sometimes stomach cramps mostly mild stuff. My throat is also very tense feeling, tight feeling even. I still can breath ok and i had a tonsillectomy 2 months ago but it didnt help the throat stiffness.

The chest pains is the most bothersome too me but dr says my heart is fine. Is it possible for acid reflux to have those effects??

vh90453 · 12-21-2008, 02:55 AM

I have gastritis and acid reflux. I also get quite severe chest pain around my heart. For me they are two separate things. The chest pain was diagnosed as referred pain from tight neck muscles. I see a PT or Chiro and they help a lot. I still get it at times but it doesn't worry me anymore, I just go and have it treated again. Mine is caused by bad posture. The Doc just pressed on a muscle in my neck, which really hurt and said that's your problem. I must admit I have the greatest Doctor in the world. I hope that helps.