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GERD (Acid Reflux) (Expert Forum)
GERD or Possibly Pleurisy???
Answered by
Ratnakar Kini, MD - Gastroenterology, Pediatrics, acid reflux, gerd, colitis
Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist
India
This forum is for questions and support regarding Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) / Acid Reflux with topics including: Causes, Constipation, Diagnosis, Diarrhea, Drugs and OTC medications, Living with GERD, Loss of Appetite, Preventing Flare-ups, Research, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Support, Surgery, Tests, Treatments.
GERD or Possibly Pleurisy???
by darrell_greenfield, Jun 28, 2009 04:50PM
Hello,
I am a 26 year old male. About 6'3. Average build. Maybe about 235lbs. Yesterday morning I woke up with a sharp pain in my upper right abdominal to lower right chest area. To pin point it would be about 2 inches to the right of my sternum. The pain seems to be easier when I hold my stomach and curdle over. When I try to stretch back out it hurts extremely with sharp stabbing pain. Also I have to take short breathes. It is extremely painful to take deep breathes, coughing, sneezing, yawning, etc... Laying down makes it even worse. About two months ago I had something similar, but only on the left side and middle of my sternum. That seemed to feel more like acid reflux since I could taste acid in the back of my throat. Also I ate a ton of greasy food and went straight to sleep. This time; however, the pain is on the right side. I was recently let go from the company I worked for and no longer have health insurance. I am living off of unemployment. The pain was so intense I could not take it and went to the AM/PM clinic where the doctor was positive I hurt my rib or rib cartilage somehow. He applied pressure all over and asked me if it hurt. I told him no. It only hurts when I twist a bit, push my chest out, or taking deep breathes. The pain is extreme and makes me want to hold my breath. He gave me free samples of a anti-inflammatory. I took them. Pain still there. I could not sleep the pain was so bad. I drove to the ER. There I did not want to go in because the price just in case it was just something minor. I fell asleep in the parking lot sitting up in my car. When I awoke the pain was still there. It has been over 24 hours and the pain seems to be slightly better, but not much. Does anyone know what this could be? I should have a new job soon where I will have insurance. I don't know what to do.
I am a 26 year old male. About 6'3. Average build. Maybe about 235lbs. Yesterday morning I woke up with a sharp pain in my upper right abdominal to lower right chest area. To pin point it would be about 2 inches to the right of my sternum. The pain seems to be easier when I hold my stomach and curdle over. When I try to stretch back out it hurts extremely with sharp stabbing pain. Also I have to take short breathes. It is extremely painful to take deep breathes, coughing, sneezing, yawning, etc... Laying down makes it even worse. About two months ago I had something similar, but only on the left side and middle of my sternum. That seemed to feel more like acid reflux since I could taste acid in the back of my throat. Also I ate a ton of greasy food and went straight to sleep. This time; however, the pain is on the right side. I was recently let go from the company I worked for and no longer have health insurance. I am living off of unemployment. The pain was so intense I could not take it and went to the AM/PM clinic where the doctor was positive I hurt my rib or rib cartilage somehow. He applied pressure all over and asked me if it hurt. I told him no. It only hurts when I twist a bit, push my chest out, or taking deep breathes. The pain is extreme and makes me want to hold my breath. He gave me free samples of a anti-inflammatory. I took them. Pain still there. I could not sleep the pain was so bad. I drove to the ER. There I did not want to go in because the price just in case it was just something minor. I fell asleep in the parking lot sitting up in my car. When I awoke the pain was still there. It has been over 24 hours and the pain seems to be slightly better, but not much. Does anyone know what this could be? I should have a new job soon where I will have insurance. I don't know what to do.
Doctor's Answer
by Ratnakar Kini, MD, Jun 28, 2009 08:28PM
, Jun 28, 2009 08:28PM
Hi,
Some of the symptoms are suggestive of GERd and some others of pleurisy.
What I would suggest is take a course of PPI ( like prilosec). If you find improvement then it is GERD.
If not chest xray test may be done to rule out pleural involvement.
Some of the symptoms are suggestive of GERd and some others of pleurisy.
What I would suggest is take a course of PPI ( like prilosec). If you find improvement then it is GERD.
If not chest xray test may be done to rule out pleural involvement.
