WEIRD CHEST

[zen]

For about the last month or so I have had pressure pains in the middle of my chest as well as tightness in my upper throat and jaw. Chest pain has gotten worse plus sharper to the point of being almost constant. Loss of appetite last few months as well as loss of endurance increased. Pain in my lower right abdomen in the past year. I was sure this was cardiac but a trip to emerg. as well seen by a cardiologist + tests ruled this out. Also feel like something stuck in my throat/chest, sometimes feel like some minor difficulty swallowing, and sometimes gurgling sounds after drinking water. Also pains and heaviness into my arms sometimes. Some chills as well as recent nausea. Also sometimes tougher to breath like I can't yawn and catch a breath. GP says I have GERD put me on Prevacid. Just started. I have had enormous stress this past year! How can this be just stress? After reading this forum all this seems to point to esophagus spasms, but I'm worried as I haven't found any answers and  this last month has been hell! Could inhaling food down my wind pipe or using an ab belt to electronically stimulate your abs have caused this. Only things I can relate to before this started. I'm a 40 yr. old male who needs HELP AND ANSWERS!!!
THANKS!

[drtobe]

You sound like you've got some kind of oesophageal pathology (like a hernia or just GORD), or possibly a pharyngeal pouch. complain to your gp about your dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and get a barium swallow done- that should show up any anatomical problem.

[fishhead]

Have you been tested for H. pylori?  I have many of these same symptoms and was found to have this bacteria.  I still don't know if killing it will help.  I am taking prevacid (after one round of antibiotics) and the pain is now finally dimishing.  Your doctor can test and advise on this one.

[shimming]

Have you had an esophageal test to find out if your esophagus may be having spasms?, also there is an acidity test they can give you.  

[Sgrehi]

I was also having some of the same pains about two years ago.  I still at times have chest pains.  What was causing my chest pains was my hiatal hernia along with acid reflux.  The pains would be so great that I thought I was having a heart attack.  My jaws would hurt and my arms would feel heavy.  I have found that if I don't eat any fried foods, popcorn, chocolate, nuts, or caffeine I don't have the pains.  I am on Prevacid 30.  I hope you find out what is causing your problem.  I would suggest you see a gastroenterology doctor.  good luck

[kaya]

stress does cause most dis-eases but then it sets off something physically which is going wrong. When you have pain it travels to other nerves so that's why you can feel it in other parts of your body.  Sorry, I really do not have any hints, did they check your costo, which is by your sternum, costochondritis is a very painful rib pain which can affect your digestion.  Good luck Kaya