Back Pain associated with GERD?

[Deb S.]

I am a 40 yr. old female that was just diagnosed with GERD.  For the last two evenings I have ad horrible middle back pain along with constant burping.  The only other health issue I have is Rheumatoid Arthritis, which Cleveland Clinic diagnosed, Thank you!  Is middle back pain a common sympton GERD and is that because of pressure from the air/gas/acid?

Thank you for your help.

[daisy6218]

A related discussion, Chest Pain & Back pain was started.

[cmita]

I too have had upper back pain and chest pain. (more like a dull ache) this does not seem to associated with eating or not eating, its just random. I also feel like my heart is beating in my throat sometimes and it feels tight or like there is a lump in it. This is causing me a lot of panic. I have always had gi problems and had my gb out 2 years ago. I am also coming off paxil 3 weeks now. Does anyone have these kind of symptoms and if so what is the diagnosis? thanks

[grammysusan]

I guess this is a question. I was diagnosed with reflux over a year ago and have been taking Prevacid 2x a day.I also had an angioplasty 3 years ago and have been fine...suddenly with pain in back, chest and arm(left). Ten day ago I had an angioplasty with a redo of a stent....and during the week suffered severe chest pains that woke me up....took 2 nitro and an asprin...and the pain went away and I fell asleep. The next day I went to the Heart Dr...who put me in for a cath and came up with nothing.  I now believe it is reflux-GERD- etc.Going to gastroenterologits asap...any thoughts

[Erlene]

When I had severe pain in my back between my shoulders---it was stones in my gallbladder that had to be removed.  My sister had the same problem.  Some people have the pain in the front.  Especially if you are having the pain after a rich, heavy meal---it could possibly be your gallbladder.  It woke me up many nights before I had it taken out.

[MinnieM]

I have the identical same thing.  Going on 10 months now.   The upper back and right side of the mid back, shoulder blade is always hurting.  I also get chest pains. My GI doc is useless.  Pulmonary doc is also.  I know there is a reason for this and it should not be that hard to figure out for a good doctor. Had heart test and all was normal.  I do have GERD but I think there is something more to all of this.  

Good Luck in searching for causes.

[MTV]

Don't feel bad.  I am in the same boat.  Pain on right side, straight through to the back.  Chest pain, right shoulder pain.  Stomach nausea and pain.  Had my gallbladder out in April 2002.  Blood test, chest x-rays...all normal. Docs can't find anything.  You would think that pain would signal a problem somewhere, but no one wants to deal with it.  If it can't be diagnosed by a blood test/x-ray, docs don't want to probe any further.  Very frustrating.

[MinnieM]

Docs in a managed plan (PPO) need to see so many pateints a day to keep up with their expected salaries.  Therefore if the pateint is not "classic something"...the pateint gets the shaft.

No one should have to go to a chest doc, a tummy doc, a heart doc, a GP, to figure out what is wrong.  There needs to be a concerned "leader of the pack".

I had my gallbladder out 20 years ago.  I have GERD now and also a CT scan in May 2002, showed dilation of the bile ducts.  The radiologist mentioned on his report that I needed an ERCP or MRI/MRCP to see the problem.  The gastro doc (now I just found this out) ordered the MRI/MRCP instead of the more definate test because the University she works for does not do ERCP's.  She should of referred me.  I could have a stone lodged in the bile duct causing this pain and discomfort.....Now, I have to research who the expert is in diagnosing  a possible stone lodged in the bile duct.  I hope there is not one in there but I just had a kidney stone removed and I am wondering if there is a relation.  

Will keep you posted and please do the same.  Good Luck To You.

[Deb S.]

thanks rebecca.  I will wait and see what Prevacid does and then go from there!

[docrat]

I have been having this exact same problem for months.  I don't know what is going on!  The really odd thing is that I have an autoimmune disease too...Autoimmune Hepatitis.  This is being controled well with meds, but my middle back pain...which seems to be associated with chest pain and indigestion...not heartburn, but more like bubbles or constant little burps traveling up my esophagus...just keeps going.  I have never really been a burper, so they are more like air bubbles. I call them "urps".

I am frustrated by this.  See my GI in a couple of weeks and I am going to DEMAND an endoscopy I think.  Maybe you should see a GI too.  I'll let you know what I find out!

Rebecca