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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
4 months...no diagnosis...scared!
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
4 months...no diagnosis...scared!
by talylor, Apr 17, 2006 12:00AM
In January of this year I was put on Macrobid and Metrogel for a 5 day course for a UTI infection. Within days I developed tinitus, shooting eye pain, severe pain on left chest,shoulder, arm down to wrist, soreness under left breast/rib cage area, and a feeling of not being able to catch a deep breath (left sided strain). I started to get these SCARY feelings in my throat and upper chest. They last only 1-5 seconds and then they're gone, with no lingering effect other than they terrify me. I called the pharmacist and they told me to stop the meds (at that point I did).
All went away in two weeks except the follwing:
- Wake up feeling ok then left sided soreness kicks in remains all day. Gets worse with movement sometimes (showering/blow drying hair) but not walking, etc.
- Can't catch a deep breath. Left side feels strained.
- Spasms on left side. I dont know if its a heartbeat or not. They are deep and feel like they are right over the heart/within the breast. Every few seconds some days and other days nothing. Almost feels like my heart is being squeezed. Last 1-5 seconds. Pulse seems irregular at times.
-"Stomach pit"/squeeze type feelings in the middle and left of the chest. Sometimes when I get them I feel them in the gut too. Again Last 1-5 seconds.
-Same thing happens in throat/neck. Left side, right side, in the middle, in the nape. Again Last 1-5 seconds.
- Voice hoarse/strained (left side)
- Days with alot of gas pockets "popping".
I never know what's going to bring these feelings on. I have had several just typing this. They happen at rest, out of the blue, BUT I also notice they happen sometimes if I bend over, go from sitting to standing, exertion, catch a deep breath. Sometimes a yawn, laughing, singing or talking for a long time brings the throat feelings on. I don't know what to do. These things literally stop me in my tracks and I think THIS IS IT. They are that strong. I am afraid to eat certain foods. Afraid to exercise.
Tests so far:
My GP -1/25 EKG. Normal. Said maybe I was sensitive to palpitation, or anxious. Gave me Xanax (which I refused to take).
Internist ON 1/30 EKG again. Normal.
2/14 chest xray, normal.
Cardiologist - 2/20 EKG again, normal.Echocardiogram, normal.
3/14 - EKG stress for about 6 minutes. Normal. PFT test, normal.
Blood Work (from internist not exactly sure what he ran but said he ruled out Lyme, RA, etc...)
4/6 - Chest CT Scan - normal.
4/12 - PFT again. Normal
4/13 - Barium Swallow. Normal
I was put on Prevacid 3 wks ago. Referred me to a gastroenterologist, hence the barium. Came back normal. I don't know if the prevacid is working cause although the feelings havent been as strong, as often, I'm still getting them. Whether I eat or not. At rest or not. I did notice on two occasions I got strong ones after drinking tea or eating chocolate but thats it. Can it still be gastro related? Should I go back to my cardio? I don't know what to do.
All went away in two weeks except the follwing:
- Wake up feeling ok then left sided soreness kicks in remains all day. Gets worse with movement sometimes (showering/blow drying hair) but not walking, etc.
- Can't catch a deep breath. Left side feels strained.
- Spasms on left side. I dont know if its a heartbeat or not. They are deep and feel like they are right over the heart/within the breast. Every few seconds some days and other days nothing. Almost feels like my heart is being squeezed. Last 1-5 seconds. Pulse seems irregular at times.
-"Stomach pit"/squeeze type feelings in the middle and left of the chest. Sometimes when I get them I feel them in the gut too. Again Last 1-5 seconds.
-Same thing happens in throat/neck. Left side, right side, in the middle, in the nape. Again Last 1-5 seconds.
- Voice hoarse/strained (left side)
- Days with alot of gas pockets "popping".
I never know what's going to bring these feelings on. I have had several just typing this. They happen at rest, out of the blue, BUT I also notice they happen sometimes if I bend over, go from sitting to standing, exertion, catch a deep breath. Sometimes a yawn, laughing, singing or talking for a long time brings the throat feelings on. I don't know what to do. These things literally stop me in my tracks and I think THIS IS IT. They are that strong. I am afraid to eat certain foods. Afraid to exercise.
Tests so far:
My GP -1/25 EKG. Normal. Said maybe I was sensitive to palpitation, or anxious. Gave me Xanax (which I refused to take).
Internist ON 1/30 EKG again. Normal.
2/14 chest xray, normal.
Cardiologist - 2/20 EKG again, normal.Echocardiogram, normal.
3/14 - EKG stress for about 6 minutes. Normal. PFT test, normal.
Blood Work (from internist not exactly sure what he ran but said he ruled out Lyme, RA, etc...)
4/6 - Chest CT Scan - normal.
4/12 - PFT again. Normal
4/13 - Barium Swallow. Normal
I was put on Prevacid 3 wks ago. Referred me to a gastroenterologist, hence the barium. Came back normal. I don't know if the prevacid is working cause although the feelings havent been as strong, as often, I'm still getting them. Whether I eat or not. At rest or not. I did notice on two occasions I got strong ones after drinking tea or eating chocolate but thats it. Can it still be gastro related? Should I go back to my cardio? I don't know what to do.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 18, 2006 12:00AM
, Apr 18, 2006 12:00AM
You have a pretty comprehensive evaluation that would have ruled out many of the major causes. The normal echocardiogram and EKG stress test would make a cardiac cause unlikely. PFTs and a normal chest CT would make pulmonyar causes unlikely.
I agree with pursuing a GI evaluation. An upper endoscopy to evaluate for any upper digestive tract diseases, as well as more specialized testing like esophageal motility tests can be considered.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
I agree with pursuing a GI evaluation. An upper endoscopy to evaluate for any upper digestive tract diseases, as well as more specialized testing like esophageal motility tests can be considered.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Hudson
I am female, 37 yrs old, 5' 11" , 165lbs. Had none of these symptoms prior to them starting. Have hypothyroid. On Levoxyl 175mg. Had complete blood work up and thyroid workup the week before all these symptoms started. All was normal. Have some involuntary jerks at night (started about a year ago) doc says not related at all. Other than that...fine.
I wanted to add last week, I went to a sporting event. Alot of walking, upper deck. I had ALOT of the throat feelings. Not as I was walking but when I was sitting. Talking, cheering, standing up from sitting would bring them on. Again...they last 1-5 seconds...TOPS. I had only breakfast at this point (belgium waffle, decaf tea). The night before I had some pasta with sauce. I dont know if the food kicked it in or the exertion. I am baffled. I kept feeling my pulse...was around 100-105 all day. Was down to 80 by the time I got home and relaxed.
My pulse is 65-75 when I wake up in the morning. Simply walking knocks it up to 90-100 sometimes a little over. Goes back to 80-85 within minutes.
Again...I am
I am female, 37 yrs old, 5' 11" , 165lbs. Had none of these symptoms prior to them starting. Have hypothyroid. On Levoxyl 175mg. Had complete blood work up and thyroid workup the week before all these symptoms started. All was normal. Have some involuntary jerks at night (started about a year ago) doc says not related at all. Other than that...fine.
I wanted to add last week, I went to a sporting event. Alot of walking, upper deck. I had ALOT of the throat feelings. Not as I was walking but when I was sitting. Talking, cheering, standing up from sitting would bring them on. Again...they last 1-5 seconds...TOPS. I had only breakfast at this point (belgium waffle, decaf tea). The night before I had some pasta with sauce. I dont know if the food kicked it in or the exertion. I am baffled. I kept feeling my pulse...was around 100-105 all day. Was down to 80 by the time I got home and relaxed.
My pulse is 65-75 when I wake up in the morning. Simply walking knocks it up to 90-100 sometimes a little over. Goes back to 80-85 within minutes.
Again...I am baffled.
Hudson
My big thing was ruling out the heart and the lungs prior to me following thru with gastro. I was positive it was one of those two, especially considering the breathing and chest discomfort. So I was a little surprised when my doctor suggested gastro. It's been too long and too scary for me to feel it's simply a gastro-related thing, especially since I have been on prevacid for 3 weeks and they are not going away. But of course, I am not a doctor, and I am listening to what they tell me to do. II am very grateful all the other tests have come back normal but very frustrated. I am afraif maybe something is being overlooked considering my overall good health prior to all this. Just very scary not knowing when they (the feelings) will come, where they are coming from or what triggers them to try to avoid them.
Another thought would be to check your iron levels. Anemia can make you short of breath and cause palpitations as well. I've been anemic for 15 years and the array of symptoms is amazing.
Hudson