binkyholder
12-07-2008, 05:34 PM
I was diagnosed with mild reflux two years ago and am currently taking Pantaloc once a day.
I have a pain b/w the shoulder blades off and on, except the last few days it's always there and it feels like my muscles are all tight in that area as well. When you press on the spine it hurts. So I am thinking maybe that pain isn't due to reflux at all, maybe it's a spinal issue. I don't have heartburn symptoms either.
Anybody have ideas or can relate?
I have a pain b/w the shoulder blades off and on, except the last few days it's always there and it feels like my muscles are all tight in that area as well. When you press on the spine it hurts. So I am thinking maybe that pain isn't due to reflux at all, maybe it's a spinal issue. I don't have heartburn symptoms either.
Anybody have ideas or can relate?
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Kassie29
12-08-2008, 09:56 AM
I get pain between the shoulder blades too. My doctor said it's acid reflux related -- irritation in the esophagus can cause this type of pain. Some people experience it in their chest (the more traditional heartburn location), but some will experience it in their upper back. I'm on pantaloc too.
Kassie
Kassie
binkyholder
12-08-2008, 03:58 PM
Is your pain constant at times. Mine feels like a throbbing pain and can last for days. If the Pantaloc was doing it's job, why would I be getting irritation sometimes and not other times. Do you ever feel a pressure in your chest as well?
Have you had a barium or endoscopy?
Have you had a barium or endoscopy?
gypsyboots
12-08-2008, 04:18 PM
my pain is in my left shoulder, in the upper back. i have lpr and it makes my neck hurt and my neck glands swell. this thing really gives weird symptoms.
gypsyboots
gypsyboots
Kassie29
12-08-2008, 06:17 PM
I have not had a barium swallow but I have had an endoscopy and a 24 hr pH monitoring test. Both came back 'normal'.
The pain between my shoulder blades is not constant. It comes and goes. I do have pains in my chest at times too. This also comes and goes.
I think that no matter what medication you are taking, sometimes the symptoms get worse and better, depending on what you have eaten, and what else is going on in your life. This is my third medication, and I haven't found one yet that takes away all the symptoms all of the time.
Kassie
The pain between my shoulder blades is not constant. It comes and goes. I do have pains in my chest at times too. This also comes and goes.
I think that no matter what medication you are taking, sometimes the symptoms get worse and better, depending on what you have eaten, and what else is going on in your life. This is my third medication, and I haven't found one yet that takes away all the symptoms all of the time.
Kassie
binkyholder
12-08-2008, 07:55 PM
i've been to the hospital a couple of times over the years b/c of this pain b/w the shoulder blades and chest pressure. Each time they ask what meds I'm on and I tell them Pantoloc, they immediately just shrug it off as reflux. I mean, how do they really know if it's reflux and not something spine related. Also my doctor has refused an endoscopy and said go for one more barium (had one two years ago - showed mild reflux) and then we'll see. So I did that last Friday and I haven't heard back from her. Next time I see her, I'm demanding a bloody endoscopy!
Kassie29
12-09-2008, 03:23 PM
A barium swallow will show if anything is coming back up, but it will not show any damage that may be happening due to things coming back up. I did ask for an endoscopy about six months after my symptoms started and having tried two medications. I have a bad family history with gastrointestinal cancers so my doctor didn't take much convincing. I was relieved that it was normal, but am still dealing with the symptoms on a daily basis.
binkyholder
12-09-2008, 03:56 PM
I've done some research on barium's and from what I read they can detect irregularities in the esophagus??
Kassie29
12-10-2008, 11:34 AM
I'm not a doctor, but my understanding is yes, they can detect irregularites with the barium test, such as strictures, masses etc. But it cannot detect irritation or cell changes in the esophagus. For this, the doctor needs to put a camera down and sometimes take a biopsy. This is only possible through endoscopy.
Good luck. I hope you convince your doctor to order one for you.
Good luck. I hope you convince your doctor to order one for you.
neddyflanders
12-10-2008, 03:25 PM
Pain between the shoulder blades is probably being caused by a wedge pillow or however you are sleeping with your neck and head raised. I notice people tend to blame everything on acid reflux, even muscle problems caused by sleeping in a rediculous position. Think about it, how in the world would acid reflux cause your upper back to hurt?
CharBerry
12-11-2008, 02:06 PM
I have bad, bad pain in my shoulder blades but usually sitting at this darn computer. Worry about wearing pain patches as part of my wardrobe. I also get pain after having one coughing fit after another. Was thinking the neck and shoulder pain was caused from tention but never thought about my pillow while sleeping.
CharBerry
CharBerry
binkyholder
12-11-2008, 02:14 PM
I agree, the doctors just assume it's from reflux....they blame it on everything. Some people who do have indigestion can feel it in b/w the shoulder blades...like a burning.
Anyways, I"m going to ask for an endoscopy and also have my spine looked at for inflammation, etc. Been seeing a chiropractor as well, which has helped.
Anyways, I"m going to ask for an endoscopy and also have my spine looked at for inflammation, etc. Been seeing a chiropractor as well, which has helped.