Burning sensation above breasts

[RubyWitch]

I was diagnosed with GERD several years ago, but wasn't put on any medication. Two years ago, my husband I and were working in the yard, picking up a ton of fallen branches from a storm and dragging them to a burn pile. Some of these branches were huge and heavy and took all my strength to carry them. I noticed on about my third trip that I had a burning sensation in the area just above each breast. I also had a burning sensation in the center of my chest which I did put down to the GERD. My pants weren't all that tight, but I was doing a lot of bending over and I know that can cause the GERD to "act up." But this was the first time I'd felt this on the upper sides of my chest area. If I stopped what I was doing and stood up straigt, the feelings went away in just a few seconds. There were no other symptoms present..........no shortness of breath, at least none other than the huffin' and puffin' of pulling a tree limb that weighed 50 pounds, no dizziness, no "pain," just this really nasty burning feeling. I ignored it but didn't forget about it. A few days later I was out raking leaves and when I rake leaves, I REALLY get into it. Again I felt the burning. I realized that in my "raking zest" I was in a bit of a stooped over posture and standing up would stop the feelings. Sweeping the floor which I also do with gusto and a bit bent over, the same. Standing up straight stopped it. But by now I was concerned so went to my PCP. She wasn't 100% sure it was GERD related but did give me a script for Protonix, which I must say, didn't help much. She suggested I see an gastroenterologist so off I went for an endoscopy which came back clear. HE suggested I see my cardiologist who I dutifully made an appointment with. After undergoing a horrendously expensive test, I did find out that I had some mild plaque build-up but he could not explain the burning and guess who he referred me to? A gastroenterologist! At that point I just gave up and my PCP wrote me out a script for Nexium. Works pretty good for the "normal" GERD, but the burning is still there, perhaps not as bad or as frequent, but still there. I've never heard of anyone having this same symptom and was hoping someone here could shed some light.I do apologize for the length of this post. I neglected to add to this epic tome by saying that I sometimes experience this feeling when I am rushing around and stressed out or angry.......all inducers of GERD.
I am 58, not more than 15 pounds overweight, have a very strenuous and physical job, have been going through some financial difficulties due to the economy which keeps me pretty stressed out and I smoke. I realize by admitting to that, I will be more or less dismissed as an idiot who if only she would quit that nasty habit.........I hope you can look past my stupidity (which I know full well contributes to my GERD issues) and address my concern regarding this burning. My chest X-ray from three months ago shows clear lungs. I'll stop now before you toss me in the trash bin!
Thanks so much for slogging through this post..........all thoughts are welcome.
Regards.
GL    

[RubyWitch]

Thanks for your reply, Jenny. I am 58 and have had PTSD with sever panic disorder most of my life, so I am extremely aware of what anxiety can do. When I first felt this sensation, it had nothing to do with anxiety or panic at all. It still doesn't make me anxious, I'm just concerned about what it could be. If my PCP, a gastroenterologist and a cardiologist could not tell me, for sure, what it is, then where do I go next? I thought after awhile that it may be asthma, but it seems like I would have more typical symptoms than I do. And if any red flags had gone up with the doctors, you'd think they would have sent me to a pulmanologist for a lung check beyond the normal X-ray.
So, for now, or until it becomes much worse, I will just live with it. It does make me feel a little better knowing there is at least one other person on the planet who has felt this same thing. Perhaps if it turns out to be some bizarre disease, they'll name it after us! Maybe we'll be dead, but we'll be famous! LOL
Again, thanks and if you do ever get an answer, let me know..........as I will for you!
Linda    

[Jennyboo1975]

Hi there I just read your concern.It sounds like a bit of anxiety in the making.I recently started having anxiety all over AGAIN,the first time I had it was right after I had my baby in 05,I got through it and then all the sudden it hit me all over again a couple weeks ago.Anyhow I have that burning sensation above the breast and in the middle I just figured it was the anxiety  it does take a toll on your body.I smoke as well and infact did quit the new yr and  I could kick myself for starting back on my 6 month of stopping.I am not sure if this will help you out or not but when I have the anxiety/panic attacks i have the hot flash feeling move thru my body plus that burning feeling in my chest.maybe its a sign of anxiety in you and if that is the only symtoms you have you are very blessed.Hope you figure out what is going on and hope you feel better soon,take care and have a Blessed day!