Chronic esophagitis

  Have been having left side chest pains daily for over 2 months.  Pain is mainly under left breast and around into the side, and the upper left abdomen.  EKG and chest x-ray returned normal so was sent for endoscopy.  This returned as mild chronic esophagitis.  Was given 20 mg Prilosec twice a day and sulcrafate 4 times a day.  Have been on medication for 3 weeks with no real relief.  Also blood tests for thyroid, gall bladder,pancreas and B-12 were normal.  Endoscopy showed no signs of ulcer or H Pylori.
  Could the esophagitis be the cause of all of this pain in the left chest and around into the side?  It is hard to understand how a problem in the center of the chest does not hurt there but could cause all of this other pain.  Thanks.

[HFHSM.D.-rf]

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Dear John,
The possible causes for your chest/abdominal pains are many.  The relative probabilities depend on your age, concurrent/prior medical problems and physicial examination.
To exclude cardiac causes it might be necessary to perform a stress test.  Although esophageal inflammation may be causing your symptoms, one must also consider esophageal spasm as a potential cuse.
Motility studies would be necessary to prove this diagnosis.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Ask specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: chest pain, esophageal spasm
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