Severe Upper Abdominal/ Lower Chest Pain

Hi, recently in the past week, I started experiencing horrible pains.  For most of the week I felt them normally right where heartburn would be, but these did not seem to be affected by antacids or food at all.  The pain felt like crushing burning pains around my breast bone.  The first day I had pain it was in my lower left abdominal region and slowly extended up to my left shoulder.  The rest of the week it was felt around my breastbone.  I am not sure if it is GERD because I have not been woken up with any pain at night, and I have had acid reflux before so I know what it feels like when you lay down.  Torwards the end of the week antacids began to give me some relief but not much, the pain would come and go and it was dibilitating.  I know it's not my heart since I have no problems working out, no shortness of breath, and my pulse is normal.  Does this sound like GERD even though it does not wake me up from my sleep.  Other than the pain the only symptoms I have are excessive burping, fatigue and occasional loose stools..Currently I am taking Prylosec and the pain is gone.  My Doctor didn't have much insight on it, just to put me through tons of tests.  I really want a medical opinion on what it could be so I don't speculate.  Thanks!

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi Drew79,
Since you are feeling better with Prilosec, there are more chances that it could be GERD.
Not all persons having GERD suffer from night pains.
The confirmatory test is 24 hours pH monitoring.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.
- Ratnakar Kini M.D.