Anyone with similar symptoms?

vw4motion · 12-28-2007, 01:42 AM

My symptoms started a year ago with an ongoing chest pain. Today I still have chest pains (every day), feel pretty weak at times, and have joint pain (espceially knees) which increases with chest pain worsening. At times, pain is so bad that I can't function normally - can't perform at work, can't play with kids, almost can't do anything.

Pain in chest area is almost always there and I could not see any correlation with food. Pain warries - from mild discomfort to squeezing, almost unbereable, pain that comes and stays for hours. Did manometry which showed low pressure of LES spicnhter and I think data from PH test was screwed somehow, so no clear results. Pain is almost always associated with joint weakness, especially knees. in general at times feel pretty weak ... don't know why.

Did varios cardio exams to eliminate heart problems and everything in that area turned alright. Endoscopy revealed mild esophageal inflammation and small hiatal hearnia. Prevacid/Nexium/Protonix provided no releif at all. I also did chest CT a year ago scan which showed a nodule which scared me to death and this is when my anxiety was high and I could not sleep. This is when DR put me on 0.5mg Clonazepam twice a day and Trazodone before sleep. I am still on these two medication.
Routine abdomenal sonogram showed gallstones and HIDA scan showed underfunctioning gallbladder. Recommendation made by multiple DRs that I remove gallbladder which I did 6 months ago which I did. It did not help.

GI drs can't give me a clear diagnosis which is amazing. Gastro thinks that my symptoms (visited few known gastros in DC area) could not come from small hernia/low LES spinchter, but could be related to "visceral sensitivity". I was even recommended to see psychatrist - will try it out, but can't beleive that this could be caused by my mind. I know there could be brain-gut connection, but I don't feel at all that my mind is causing all this pain unless I can do it without knowing it.
Hope all of us feel mych better in the upcoming year.

Feel helpless sometime with my health problems. Anyone going through similar experience? Thanks. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

sunshine123 · 12-28-2007, 02:19 AM

I know how frustrated you are. Whenever Drs. don't know what's up, they tell the patient they should see a Psychiatrist. That really makes me angry b/c I've been through it myself for a female disorder. All I can suggest is to keep trying to find a knowledgable Dr. to help you and don't give up. Sorry I can't be more helpful. I hope you find the right answers.

1sunny1 · 12-28-2007, 12:07 PM

You might ask your Doctor if it could be esophageal spasms. That will give you the pain you describe and most likely won't show on any test you take. I have had them since 1981 and have been thru heck with my esophagusproblems so I won't go back to doc for this again, but I have heard that there is various things they can do now for this, ask your gastro about it.

Sunny

vw4motion · 12-30-2007, 04:23 PM

Thanks Sunny for your reply. Yes, on many occasions I was told (by multiple GIs) that I am having esophageal spasms. Tried few medicines (librax etc..), but nothing helped. I hope your symptoms are much better now since you had this problem for a long time. Bur, million dollar question is what to do so that this pain does not come back? My GI said that I should not worry about watching diet since PPIs did not help.

What did you do to help yourself? Did you figure out your triggers? Do you feel better?What tests did you do? And did the GI recommended any reflux surgery?

Unfortunately, I feel chest pain/discomfort on a daily basis (could not determine triggers). Feel very weak/tired most of the time with joint paint (knees) increasing as chest pain becomes worse. At times, the chest pain is almost disabling and i get scared that I am having very serious disease. Thanks a lot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sunny1

You might ask your Doctor if it could be esophageal spasms. That will give you the pain you describe and most likely won't show on any test you take. I have had them since 1981 and have been thru heck with my esophagusproblems so I won't go back to doc for this again, but I have heard that there is various things they can do now for this, ask your gastro about it.

Sunny

1sunny1 · 12-30-2007, 06:04 PM

Hi VW4Motion,

Mine started after not being able to swallow, and when they dilitated my esophagus, it ruptured, I almost died, so anything to do with my esophagus, I run from, no more surgeries. I am on prevacid which helps with the acid reflux, but does nothing for the spasms. I kind of figured the ibuprofen I took enormous amounts of, caused the spasm, but a lot of times I will get spasms for no particular reason. Nothing I have found stops them, but I do eat soda crackers when I get them and they do actually help, it is something about the soda, also I drink water very slowly when having them. Anyway, I have heard that they can do botox for it, you might ask about that. Your GI does not sound very knowledgeable, I think I might find a new one. It sounds like you get the spasms constantly, which I think I would very seriously consider the Botox. Are you taking any other medications that could irritate it? Just something to think about. I know how bad it hurts, and if you are having them all the time, you must be incapacitated. I know I would be. I hope all of this is of some help, keep us posted as to how you are.

Sunny