totally confused - Digestive Disorders Message Board

funyfarm · 07-07-2003, 04:52 PM

Hi all, this is my first time posting so bear with me. I am trying to find out if anyone else out there may be able to help me. I have been having "atypical" chest pains for the last 3 or 4 years. They seem to start just under my breatbone and radiate out to the left. They go all the way across the left side and even through to my left shoulder blade. I get really bad headaches and my neck and shoulders stiffen and ache. I get really nauseated and start to sweat. I have spent more time in the ER with no results. I have had my heart completely checked out and have only some minor issues (Mitral Valve and mild arythmia). All else is fine. I have been told to start looking into having my esophagus checked. I have never had a problem with heartburn, except when pregnant. I have been told that I could be having gall bladder attacks. Has anyone ever had pain on the left and not the right?

Sorry this was so long....Hope someone can help...Thanks

Dianek · 07-07-2003, 08:33 PM

I've had my gallbladder removed and never experienced that kind of pain; it was only on the right side under my right rib, but everyone is different so perhaps there are some who've had symptoms like that.

Has any doctor mentioned that you could be having a panic attack? Those symptoms seem very much like it could be. Are you under a lot of stress and tension?

Know you're doing the best thing by checking every avenue and I hope you feel better soon.

[This message has been edited by Dianek (edited 07-07-2003).]

Harry · 07-07-2003, 11:02 PM

It sounds more like inflammation or a pinched nerve in your back that is radiating around your rib cage. Along with a possable hiatal hernia and gallbladder problems.

I think they all should be checked out!!!

I wish you well---Harry

funyfarm · 07-08-2003, 05:38 AM

I had been told that i was having panic attacks for three years. But the chest pain lasted for hours and not just a few minutes. After I was told of my Mitral valve and put on new meds for that the pain seemed to go away. That is until last week. Now it's back and seems to come and go several times a day. I am going to see my doctor this week to explore the other options.

Thanks for your responses!!!!

Katie G · 07-08-2003, 07:14 AM

Hi funnyfarm. I agree with what Harry says and to put an additional wrinkle into it, you should have endoscopy done to rule out GERD. I have suffered with GERD for many, many years, and my most common symptom was not necessarily "heartburn", but chest pain which actually felt like what I thought a heart attack might feel like. The esophagus was actually going into spasm from the reflux, and the pain could last for hours sometimes. If it was really bad, all I could do was try to breathe slowly through the pain (like Lamaze breathing), but that didn't always help.

Anyway, you should have your gall bladder checked out along with your esophagus and stomach to rule out digestive disorders.

Good luck and keep us posted,
Katie G