Hi,
I'm new here. Just want to ask about what you think of these symptoms and what my GP said to take. I am not new to digestive issues. Several years ago I had bad IBS. The IBS got better after a few years and I only have an occasional "attack" when I don't watch what I eat. For the past couple of years now, I've been experiencing chest pains that come and go, a burning sensation in my throat, feeling of a lump in throat, constant burping, occasional heartburn. What is freaking me out recently is that now I get a strange feeling where it feels as if my heart is fluttering or rolling. It's almost as if the feeling travels up near the throat. This feeling unfortunately then triggers a panic attack b/c I think it is something w/my heart. I had an echocardiogram and holter monitor test which discovered mild mitral valve prolapse. I know I didn't eat right over the holiday...tomato sauce, chocolate, alcohol..and today I experienced this fluttering/panic attack again. I am still having the feelings several hours later, am constantly burping and taste the acid in my throat. I had a routine physical recently and mentioned this to the dr. She said I should take OTC Prilosec and can take this for as long as three months. I'm also concerned b/c I am taking some Xanax for anxiety issues and there is something on the Prilosec box that mentions about taking anxiety meds and Prilosec. Do you think I should see a gastro regarding my symptoms?? I must also mention that I have a 7 month old that doesn't sleep at night and I am so exhausted and sleep deprived that this can't help how I feel either. Sorry this is long. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks! Happy New Year...hope it's a healthier one for all!

The symptoms that you mentioned sound very much like GERDS or LPR which are treated by PPI's(nexium, prevacid etc..). I was diagnosed by a gastro doc. It would be good to see one about your symptoms. You are right about taking Prilosec and Xanax. It does say consult your doc about taking prilosec and antidepressants. I wonder can you take Zantac instead of Prilocec?
Many of us suffer from the acid in the throat, chest pain or palpitations, lump in throat, heart burn and burping things which is an awful feeling. Also try to avoid the trigger foods which can encourage more acid such as cheeses, milk, fried food, spicy food, tomato based foods, citrus fruits or drinks, chocolates, high fat foods, caffeine and carbonated drinks. I sure hope you feel better soon!

Aleet7

Yuk I had the rolling flopping heart feeling... I thought for years it was my heart but it comes from GERD LPR.. Everytime it happens I still jump lol.

It is apparent that your intake is very acidic, i.e., alcohol, coffee, medication, animal products, wheat, and corn are all extremely acidic foods when digested. Anxiety could better be treated by physical activity which could include walking, light jogging, yoga, meditation... as opposed to meidcation that is riddle with side effects. Camomile tea is very soothing for both you mind and your stomach.

I take Xanax and Prilosec and it is fine. There is some thought that Prilosec could INCREASE the affects of Xanax but if you are taking a low dosage, it will not really matter. I've been taking this combo for years and have not noticed that it caused extra side effects.

I get the fluttering/jumping heart too and it is due to the acid stimulating the cardiac nerves in the esophagus (this is what the doc told me).

I too suffer from Advance GERD, and I have been suffering with that fluttering / palpatations that varies in mild, moderate, and rare VIOLENT where it raise my Blood Pressure and may induce Vomiting.



Wow Christine VA....I was told that by my coworker who was curious about my symptoms because she never heard such thing. One day she had a doctor appointment, and she asked him about what the symptoms signify. He gave her this look as if she was the one having them lol. Then she clarify to him that is was not her, but me, her coworker. The doctor then told her yes, what I was experiencing is due to having too much acid in the upper portion of the Stomach that it goes in Spasms which in turn effect the Esophagus. Like you said it hits the Cardiac Nerve.

I wonder if there is a way reducing the acid in the stomach. I do stay away from Soda, but I do have one on a rare occasion. I also stay away from spicy foods also. Currently, I have been feeling these little mild spasms for now a month, but then goes away and comes back.

As far as reducing the acid that causes this--it's really different for everyone.

I have absolutely NO problems with sodas. In fact, I nice, crisp Coke from a fountain style machine makes me feel tons better.

The things that "get" me are coffee, chocolate, raw onions, and fatty things. Donuts kill me as well as many types of buttery pastries (I seem to do okay with cake and stuff like that???). Anyway, my best help is the Prilosec. My mom made this weird apple pie over Christmas and as soon as I ate it I knew that something in the type of apple she used was not agreeing with me. I got worse as the evening wore on. I went to bed, woke up around 11:00 p.m. with a pounding heart and I was real hot. You would think it was a hot flash or anxiety but I can tell the difference. I got up and took a Prilosec (my second one that day) and within 45 minutes I could feel it ease off. It works pretty fast for me.

Wow! Christine, it's strange that coke doesn't bother you either since that's supposed to be a real no no. I think coke on ice makes me feel better! I have GERD but suffer more with the LPR symptoms. Like today with this awful PND and mucus stuck in one side of my throat. I've been taking Xanax for years but when my gastro Dr. found out, he wasn't happy about it because he say's the Xanax relaxes the LES. I don't care what he says because if I'm relaxed then I don't have the symptoms as bad. I'm one of the really weird ones that lying down actually helps me stop the coughing, choking fits. But, then on the other hand, I can wake up in the middle of the night feeling like I can't get a breath for all the acid coming up. Guess that's the GERD part kicking in. I have the pleasure of having both GERD and LPR and can't say any PPI helps when I'm having a really bad flare. What fun.

Charla