i was diagnosed a year ago with acid reflux.
i take prilosec 20mg once a day. about a week ago i started having this severe burning in my chest, not just in the middle like where the esophagus is but basically all over- upper chest and over to the side near my arms. i have not experrienced this in the past with my reflux. so could this burning be caused by reflux or do you think i have a problem more severe than just acid reflux?

Hi jennylynn,
It could be just muscle strain, the muscles all around your ribcage. Does it come suddenly or is it predictably after a certain activity? If you get a prickly sensation too it may be a skin irritation on your whole chest.

Thanks for your reply.
Actually the burning came on
all of a sudden. No special
activity or anything. And it
doesn't really ever go away.
I basically have the burning
feeling constantly. Would a
muscle strain be a constant burning?

JennyLynn:

I have experienced this the last three weeks. My doctor changed my Prevacid to Prolocec(sp).... anyway - they thought it was possible that I developed IBS. I have been dieting (quit smoking) and have been eating alot of salads, veggies, etc., things that will cause gas. Do you have any gas, going to the bathroom alot, heartburn all the time!..... I was eating a large salad everynight! I didn't have one last night, took my pill today and it has subsided somewhat.

I suffer from IBS and also take Prilosec on ocassions, no more than two months at a time. Then I take Pepcid AC until it does not work anymore.
Lately I have been experiencing the same symptoms you describe: burning in the chest, pain that that travels towards the shoulder and arm (normally left side). I saw my GP and she could not find anything wrong with my heart. She thought that since I have been lifting a lot, the pain is most likely muscular. I even experienced the chest pain while she was examining me. It developed right after I made a sudden move to lay down on the examining table. Also, since I am under a lot of stress in general, my IBS is acting up on me, even with the Prilosec. I still have not seeen my gastroenterologist.