Follow Up to 12/27

[Sondra Elmore]

Hello.  After my last post on 12/27 I ended up going to the ED.  I was given a chest and lung x-ray and EKG. All negative. My ED physician said he was confident it was reflux due to symptoms and gave me a "cocktail" of medicine to improve the symptoms.  I was also taking 40mg of Aciphex but have discontinued due to side effects.  The heartburn seems to be gone anyway and the only lingering problem is an ocassional "vibration" feeling in the center of my chest, breastbone area that seems to run down to my stomach.  It isn't really painful, but it is a bit frightening.  I have been taking my pulse during this time and my pulse seems regular at around 82bpm.  Could this be an espohegeal spasm?  I have an appointment with my regular physican on Tuesday.  I've wondered if I could have had GERD that damaged my esophagus and it is now healing?  I am going to insist on a stress test at my appointment next week to be safe.  The staff at the ED dismissed my cardiac concerns as I am too young?  Is it unreasonable to have to wait a few days for a stress test as well?  I'd like to run to the ED everytime I have the spasm feeling, but I know I can't do that.  My concern was that I was having some type of angine/ischemia that is now temporarily resolved.  Thank you.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Esophageal spasm can cause your symptoms.  This is normally diagnosed during a 24-hr pH study with esophageal motility studies.  This can normally be arranged in conjunction with your GI doc.  If there continues to be a question about whether reflux is there, this may not be a bad option - since the 24-hr pH study is the definitive test for GERD.

If there continues to be cardiac concerns, an exercise stress test would certainly be reasonable.  This can be combined with an echocardiogram (i.e. an ultrasound of the heart) for a more accurate study.  

I cannot comment on how long you can wait for the stress test without examining you.  

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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[Bibsy]

A post I read on Acid reflux from the curezone website claimed that a tablespoon or two of honey allowed to slide down the back of your throat before bed will stop acid reflux that wakes you at night. Well, I tried it and it works!! I did that for four nights in a row and it has stopped the reflux burning and pain that I was experiencing. Before I was using previcid, maalox, etc. Mine was so bad it would wake me up in the middle of the night with burning. Anyway, it is worth a try....seems to have helped many people that have tried it on that post.

[yoshi]

thanks,i will give it a try

[yoshi]

I just read you prior post on 12/27.
Diet coke is soda drink,and is one of the items not good for acid reflux,along with peppermint,chocolate,fried food,greasy food,fat,caffeine.nuts,dairy products,tomato sauce.spicy food

[yoshi]

CENTRE OF THE CHEST??
If you ever get hold of the illustration sheet inside the Zantac 75 box,there is a picture of a man suffering heartburn,it shows where the heart burn is located and said often people mistake it for angina.
Chew some gum and see,the motion of chewing and swallowing may help,it makes the gland produces saliva which contains bicarbonate ,this when swallowed will neutralise the gas in your stomach.
Have you ever heard your mother or grandmother who referred to ladies in their days who said bring me my bicarbonate and my heartburn goes away!

[Sondra Elmore]

Thank you, I could use the advice.  I think at my age it's probably reflux, but better safe than sorry.  And health case people all insist at my age it is only reflux?