GERD and upper chest pain while running

[jzinckgra]

I had an EGD last week and the diagnosis was mild esophagitis and gastritis.  Biopsies were neg for food allergies.  About 16 yrs ago, I went to the ER while in college complaining of a burning pain in the upper chest. When I say upper, I mean about 2" below base of neck. It would bother me before and after eating. They thought it was my heart, but turns out it was acid reflux brought on most likely by excessive drinking and stress. Back then they prescribed me propulsid and about a couple weeks later all pain went away.

Flash forward to about 2 months ago. I went out with the guys and drank too much. Couple that with a fair bit of stress at work lately and about a week later I start noticing the same burning in the same exact spot. I forgot about the incident back in college and wasn't sure what it was, but it crept up slow where for about a week I had a dull pain in the spot. I went on a run one weekend and about halfway through my heart starts skipping around. I have that happen every once in awhile when I cycle, but this wouldn't stop. Ended up being about a 3 min PVC. My wife said my face was pale. I ended up walking the rest of the way, but 10min or so after the run, I got a massive burning pain in the upper chest. My wife brought me to the ER. Heart monitor and blood tests revealed no heart-related issues. I ended up getting a holter and have been diagnosed with benign PVC's.

So now that I know the results of the EGD, I was trying to put two and two together. I figured the burning was due to acid reflux during the run and for whatever reason, maybe my vagus nerve was irritated and was causing the heart palps.

So after all this, the GI doc prescribes prilosec until my appt. in July. in the meantime, I am noticing the same pain, but not the real burning I had during the run. But what I have also noticed is this weird chest sensation (upper) whereby it feels like I have foam in my chest and it doesn't feel normal to breath. I had read on another forum that this could also be hiatal hernia, but I would have figured the doc would have caught this, but maybe it is a sliding one. Anyways, someone suggested drinking a large glass of water and jumping off a step and physically trying to push the stomach back down. I actually tried this once and it seemed to work. If it's not hiatal hernia, I'm just trying to see if anyone else has this weird chest feeling. It also hurts more at the beginning of a run or on the bike then seems to "stretch" itself where it doesn't hurt as much.

Finally, for last few weeks I've also noticed the pain in my chest becomes more apparent when I talk for an extended period of time. Almost like my vocal cords could be irritating the esophagus. It's weird cause I was expecting the GI doc to have told me I had an ulcer, but apparently it's just a mild case of reflux. The PVC's, which have been more frequent with the reflux appears to be pretty common with others here. I feel good about being diagnosed, but unlike 16 years ago where the problem went away, this time it is lingering for 3 months now. Hoping the prilosec does it's thing. Any other suggestions? Thanks.  

[selmaS]

Chewing gum is a very good way to help reduce acids, as the act of chewing creates the right kinds of acids to form in ur mouth to help break down the ones in ur intestines....

I would avoid mint gum, as some mint may cause more discomfort.....mint always made me more sick, but what ever works for u, great !! Do look at the foods that r safe list, we do mention Gum!!
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236

"selma"

[jzinckgra]

I've only been taking the prilosec for about 2 weeks now. Sometimes I feel like it works, other times not. What's interesting, is when I chew spearmint gum or suck on carmel candy, I get relief form the esophagus pain.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

It is possible that the PPI med is not working for u for what ever reason. How long are u on it, it does take a few weeks b4 u see benefits, it is not by ne means fast acting.

U do need to modify diet and ur lifestyle to help the meds.

Ask the Dr if u r on the meds longer than a few weeks, if a H2 inhibitor may work better if the PPI's r not working.,

  "selma"

[jzinckgra]

The prilosec doesn't seem to be working at that well. Still have that dull to moderate burning sensation in esophagus. It's weird since back in college they prescribed me propulsid and that seemed to work. It has since been pulled from the market. Even then, ended up still drinking alcohol and partying (yes, I know, stupid) while on the Rx and I got better within a couple weeks.  My point is that I have what appears to be the same exact thing and with meds it won't go away this time. I've stopped eating chocolate (was eating a lot especially at night), no more coffee or tea, only a few drinks in the last 3 months.

I just don't get it. Makes me think there is something else wrong and maybe the prilosec is a waste of time. The EGD did in fact conform mild esophagitis and gastritis, but why no improvement? I suppose my insides are 16 years older and all, and so maybe the recovery will take longer, but this is frustrating.