Severe pain where the rib cage meets w/regurgitation..help! - Digestive Disorders Message Board

jj9500 · 07-18-2008, 10:21 AM

I had my gallbladder removed 4 years ago. I've been experienceing for years now this pressure that builds up under my breast area. Last night it was sever pain that almost took me to the ER. The pain is intense almost like spasms or squeezing. Sometimes shoots to the sides and back. I fear that it is my heart, but had an echocardiogram/stress done 2 years ago and all was good. The pain will go away for about 20 mins, then come back...etc. This went on for about 4 hours yesterday. During this time I also experience belching, and when I belch ocasionally I regurgitate bile/vomit with findings of foods I ate throughout the day. It seems I get very worried and lightheaded (think that's anxiety). The pressure is to the point where I am on the floor in tears. I am obese and know I need to lose some weight. I have been on every PPI you can think of off and on for the last 6 years with the docs thinking this is GERD. Can gerd be this severe? I seen my gi doc in May and he has me back on PPIs since May (Prilosec OTC) 1/day. I asked if I should come into the ER the next time I get an attack. He said not to bother that that will just give me a GI cocktail and send me home. He said to call him if I get a severe attack again and they will scheudle a fatty food ultrasound? Never heard of it. What can this be? Gerd? Hiatal Hernia? Pancreas? Bild Duct Obstruction? I'm worried.

margiejohnson · 10-14-2008, 03:54 PM

It sounds like GERD. I've been dealing with pleurisy and "something else". I can't figure out what it is either, but I have severe pain behind my sternum and pain below my breasts - lungs? It feels like I have inflammed diaphragm as well. While I'm not dealing with throwing up, the doctor I saw today suggested that I try PROTONIX for a week to rule out GERD. It's awful when your tests (organs) come back in good order, yet you are in pain and doctor's don't know what to do. You have to find someone who is willing to stick it out with you, until you have an accurate diagnosis. You also need to be proactive and push for answers.

mzmadz33 · 10-16-2008, 11:46 PM

I can relate to what's been written here.

I had my gall bladder removed 2 1/2 years ago. I got over initial issues with removal and then clear sailing in that department.

Until now.

Five days ago, I was awoken at 5 AM with acute pain in solar plexus area, in center of between my breasts, with pain in back radiating to my arms.

I have cardiomyopathy, as well, which is an enlarged left ventricle. That has been improving and now this. I went to ER and they ruled out it was my heart (which I knew it wasn't) and they did x-rays and blood tests, but all came back negative. I had Ultrasound on Tuesday, but that was negative, but I was back in ER the same day. After being given drugs, blood tests, again, I was told to see the consulting GI specialist in his office the next day. He had me go for a Cat scan to make sure I didn't have an aortic dissection and the results were negative...phewww. Now I'm booked for an endoscopy in two weeks when he returns from holidays.

In the meantime, I can't eat a thing that doesn't make my stomach ache...seems like my food gets stuck half way down. I've had two horrendous attacks since, but I took oxycodone (1/2 tablet) which my sister kindly furnished me with, put a hot bean bag on affected area and fell asleep, only to wake up with another attack (I'm talking pain at 15 out of 10!!!)...did same thing and then woke up in morning relatively ok.

My new GI doc says not to take oxycodone, but to go back to ER if big attack again...but my arms are black and blue from them trying to get IV lines and blood tests, plus the morphine doesn't work, anyways.

I'm trying like heck not to eat much, as that is what makes it worse.

Oh, and the GI doc says he doubts that I have a stone in my bile duct, but doesn't know what I have. Arggg...

After reading on some boards, I feel discouraged, as some people seem to suffer for a very long time without getting a diagnosis. I think that is so lousy and now I am among the suffering...wawww!

Of course, when the pain gets really, really bad, my blood pressure goes up and my heart starts to struggle, so I have to be smart here and not try to just tough it out on my own, but I hate going to the ER, getting pain killer and being sent home hours and hours later to relive the pain so soon again.

I guess what I really want to know is if there are any 'safe' foods I could eat that might not bring me pain. So far bananas are the only thing. Oh, and I discovered fresh ginger tea with honey tonight and that brought a tiny bit of relief.

I wish you both the very best in your quest to wellness and will keep you apprised if anything turns up re: a diagnosis at my end.

P.S. I've been taking Pantaloc (40 mg.) for years for Gerd, but really didn't have any symptoms. I don't find the drug works one little bit on this problem.

Blessings,

MzMadz33