Feels like something is lodged my esophogus

[fallywags]

I have always had acid reflux issues. I take Nexium, not daily, but when needed, especially when I know I'm going to be eating a lot of foods that will bother me. The weird thing however is last week I started to get these shooting, almost paralyzing pains in my chest - around my heart but I knew it wasn't my heart. Then after Thankgiving, I started to develop this weird sensation in my chest right at the base of my breastbone. It feels like something is lodged in my esophogus. While people have told me this is probably related to my reflux, I couldn't sleep all night because of it, purposely stayed away from problematic foods during the day, yet still have the feeling just as bad. It hurts especially when I eat or drink anything or when I take a deep breath. Is my problem getting worse? Is it related?

[Flycaster305]

I took Prilosec for years and it very successfully controlled my acid reflux symptoms until the Hietal Hernia had to be repaired, then stopped taking Prilosec cold turkey with no symptoms.  Eric996's experience is not typical.  I had good results as Eric996 suggests.  I found the most effective way was to put a 4 x 4 under the headboard of the bed.  
I'd be careful about accepting or rejecting medicinal advice on these boards, only your doctor can prescribe.  The pressure you are feeling in your chest may or may not be from acid reflux.

[Eric996]

Hello there, be very careful with those meds as they are the slippery slope (Read my post to see the gory details). I had the exact same sensation after 2 weeks using Prilosec, which normally is caused by acid coming up and burning your esophagus. Kinda felt like someone choking me at times. A lot of this might be from that nasty Nexium you are taking which can actually make your reflux worse, PPI’s do a lot of damage at the cellular level and can become habit forming. Your stomach is most likely irritated by stress or what you are eating and drinking, you need to change your diet for a few weeks to give it a rest and allow irritation to go away. At night try propping your pillow up or sleeping on 2 pillows.
I know you are not going to like this, but try it for a few weeks and see if you can reduce or completely get off the Nexium. Give up or reduce coffee, orange juice and alcohol, instead drink Chamomile tea or ginger tea (These do work). You can also try Aloe Vera Juice but only use as directed on the bottle. Tums also works well and is just calcium with some magnesium. Applesauce can help as well before/after meals because apples sooth the stomach.  I find cranberry juice helps as well, it is a very powerful anti-oxidant.
Don’t go for the magic pill cure as it usually will not help. I took the magic pill (prilosec) and it lead me down a horrible road of terrible symptoms, much worse than reflux.