DISGUSTED

I am a 25 year old female and for the past year have been having a weird feeling that sometimes I feel in my chest other times in my throat. In my chest it kinda feels like a strong heart beat in my throat it feels like a flutter. I can go on and off for days then stop then come back. No other symptoms. One doctor ran ekg, and holter monitor and said everything was okay, maybe it was from caffeine. Another doctor said thyroid, blood test came back okay but they found a very small nodule through a ultrasound, another doctor did a scan too and said not to worry about it. My problem is I cant stand this feeling. No one can really seem to pinpoint what the heck it is and its very frustrating. One person said it could be esophageal spasm, I have no clue but could really use some advice as to what this could be or what I should do. Thanks so much!!!!! I really only seem to notice this more in the evenings and when I am relaxing

[Christine]

Just a comment on your thyroid nodule.  Don't ever let a doctor tell you a lump is "nothing" without following through to the full extent.  I, too, had a lump/nodule on my thyroid.  Fortunately for me, my doctor's did not stop at the scan.  They then biopsied the lump and I was found to have thyroid cancer (at age 31) and all my thyroid bloodwork was normal.  Nodules (benign or cancerous) on the thyroid can and do cause funny feelings in the throat if it is pressing on anything.  I suggest you go to an ENT or head/neck surgeon to have that lump fully evaluated.
Christine

[Darlene to Christine]

Yeah I know that lumps can be a big deal, but both my doctors said that the nodule is sooooooooo small (it didnt even show on the scan) that they wouldnt be able to biopsy it. I just have to go for another ultrasound in 6 mos to see if it grew. Thanks for your input. What else do ya do , ya know

[Darlene to Doc]

Just wanted to add one more thing, what is a complete thyroid evaluation? I have had a ultrasound and scan. The doctor decided to wait 6 months and repeat. Is this sufficient? Thanks

[Trish]

I had to read this twice to make sure I hadn't written it. I don't know if I'll be of any help to you except to just say that I know exactly how you feel. It's quite maddening and disruptive that little hiccup,flutter,whatever it is. It makes me think I'm going to have a heart attack. I'm checking into the possibility of a hernia. Of course I seen a number of cardiologists. It's weird hearing someone describe exactly the same thing you feel. If you want to email me to chat and perhaps one of us will get some answers from a physician who has the time to help find out what's causing this problem. Mine seem to be most frequent these day during or right after a bowel movement...not to gross you out. But, if you're having the symptoms you know what I mean. Anyway you can email me at ***@****.

[[e-mail]]

Hi Darlene, I had symtoms (symptoms) a little like you are describing when I was 21, [ I am now 79] by the time I could get in to a doctor the attach was over. Finally my doctor got an ekg while it was happening and it was dianosed as atrial fibralation. My heart beat so fast it actually fluttered and it felt like it was beating in my lower throat and my arms ached. It lasted from a few min. to a few hours. My Doctor put me on Digoxin once a day, I only have it maybe once a month or less and it lasts only seconds. I had lots of ekg testsright after an attack and my heart checked fine. My Doctor says it usually is not life theating. It must not be I am 79 and feel more like 50. I sure hope you can get to the bottom of your problem.
Best wishes
Rulon

[tonyny]

I read your e-mail and I have very similar symptons.  I am 42, and 12 month's ago experienced an anxiety attack.  I went through multiple ekg's a MyoCardial Perfusion test 6 month's ago, followed by an Angiogram at a top Heart hospital in NY and the cardiologist said my arteries and heart were perfect. My GP diagnosed me with GERD.  However to this day I have the same disturbing symptoms very similar to what you describe.  A hard - sometime feels like a skipped heart-beat, and also flutter feeling in mid to upper throat.  It was very scary at first - but I have tried to block it out and plan to go back to my physician real soon.  It seems alot of GERD suffers have these same symptons and who knows why -(I am not a Doctor) I do believe however that somehow the acid may be irritating the myocardial sack or it could be an espohgiel spasm which mimicks an irregular heart beat.

[[e-mail]]

I have been diagnosed with a nutcracker esophagus.  I can have days where the pain is constant.  The pain presents like a sharp pain at the sternum region, under the right ribcage radiating into the back.  With the pain, I also experience a throbbing pain which I feel is my heartbeat.  I then get heart palpitations.  I feel a mild shortness of breath because of the pain.  I have been told that I am hyperventilating, when I am quite calm and find it very discouraging to have this calibre of pain day after day, and off I go to the Emergency Department for an injection of Demerol.

Six months ago, I was hospitalized because I went toxic from elevated doses of morphine.  I was on morphine patches and was apparently on doses as high as they give to terminal patients.  This has been mentioned to me from medical personnel.

How does one lessen the esophageal pain. The pain gets so bad I cannot function and find myself in bed in the fetal position.  The experts have told me that my disease is not serious to warrant surgery because they will not touch a young girl like me - I am 46 years of age.  Does anyone out there who may have nutcracker esophagus help me with my problem.

[Tanya]

I was wondering, can one have normal thyroid test results and still have a lump? I have had this awful clicking when I swallow and I have very similar symptoms: feels like a shot of adrenalin in my neck or sometimes from my chest radiating into my neck. It's very frightening and also feels like a major heart flutter or something. I can't stand it any longer, it's making me crazy!

[Mis]

Tanya, yes you can have normal blood tests and still have a lump. My tests all came back positive but when they did the ultrasound they found the nodule. But get it checked out to be sure. My doctor also told me MOST nodule are of no concern, but its better to get them checked out. Good Luck

[melanie]

I also had the problem you have described.  I had the holter moniter and echo cardiogram and everything looked fine.  The only thing my doctor could tell me was that it was caused by stress.  After loosing 87 pounds, it rarely ever happens anymore.  I also had my gallbladder taken out, so I'm not sure which one was really the culprit.  I feel for you, it really is aggrivating!  At one time it was happening up to 10 times a day. I really thought I was going to go nuts with it.  Best of luck!!

[Diane]

Believe me, if it were an esophageal spasm....you would be in excruciating pain, so I am sure it is not that.  I know, I have had these spasms

[Tanya]

Darlene, it sounds like you are describing the exact same feeling I've been getting. It's horrible, kind of like a strange adrenalin rush in the middle of the chest radiating into the neck. It happens very fast, feels very fluttery and it often happens to me when I bend over or move a certain way. Does this happen to you at all?

[Mis]

actually no mine seems to be more when I'm at rest. I go exercise every morning and never feel it. Only if I'm sitting or lying around. Have you went to a doctor? Let me know thanks

[Loretta]

Yes Tanya, you can have a normal Thyroid blood test and have a nodule. I had an ultra sound about 3yrs. ago. They found 2 nodules one very small and the other approx. 1cm. I went back once a year to have them checked. All my blood test would always come back normal. Approx one year ago I noticed I was having problems swallowing and had to use 2 pillows to sleep or sleep in a recliner. It was almost time for my yearly ultrasound. I went back early and told the doctor the problem I was having, he sent me for a cat-scan on the thyroid, the resultes showed the nodule had grown to over 2 cm in less than a year. Of Course it scared the --- out of me, they did the biopsey, came back as it could be something, I ended up having my right Thyroid taken out and the results came back non-cancerous. Some of these nodules are called Gorders, and they are hereditary. Ask your relatives if anyone has ever had one. Before the surgery I was told by 3 doctors it is better to be safe than sorry, because no test in the world could give true results on the nodule because when they did a biopsy it was only a very small part that was getting tested. The only way to get 100% results is to remove it. All 3 doctors also told me that only one in hundreds are cancerous. Nodlues are very common in women.

[Tanya]

I have been practically begging my doctors for an MRI or a CAT scan but here in Canada they have flat out refused to set me up for either of these tests. They say they are expensive and they do not use them as diagnostic tools and this infuriates me. I just don't know where to turn. I have had chest x-rays, blood tests, gastroscopy and dilatation, heart scans, ultra sounds on gallbladder, pancreas and liver. All "normal". It seems they are looking everywhere else BUT the problem area which is my upper chest and throat.  I really  NEED them to look closer at this as it is seriously affecting my life in every way. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I might do??

[TINA]

I empathize with you!...I am a 50 year old female(just turned 50!) and I have been experiencing similiar symptoms.  A while back (2 years ago) I was just driving back home from a meeting that had gone quite well (no real stress) when suddenly I got this pressure feeling in the center of my chest.  I called my doctor and he had me come in immediately.  It felt like a burp that was stuck in the center of my chest.  I occassionally get heart "flutters" too and to make matters worse, I also got this tightening and burning feeling in my chest.  Long story longer, they ended up running a battery of tests to rule out heart trouble (ekg, tread mill, thalium dye test and eventually did a heart catheterizaiton(insert threadlike tube up your thigh/groin area to the heart and inject dye to show any blockage) everything came out fine.  Ended up doing an endoscopy by a gastroenterologist and it showed scarring in my esophagus. This was diagnosed as GERD or Reflux Disease.  I am now on Prisolec, as needed and it seems to keep it under control.  I find that I get the heart flutters or missed heart beats when I have anything with caffeine so I try to avoid it.  I used to have a really stressful job so I know this contributed to some of my problems. Wish you the best and take care.

[Teresa]

I've been experiencing the same symptoms.  They can happen at anytime but are most severe during ovulation and when I'm having my period.  I've had all manner of heart tests, blood work, and a CT scan but everything always turns out to be normal.  I don't feel normal though.  My worst symptoms are a pain usually in the upper right side of my chest and occasional fluttery feelings in my chest and throat.  My doctor seems to think it's hormonally driven (I'd have to agree to some extent), but he has no answers for me.  Very frustrating, not to mention scary.

[Becky]

I have been expeiencing this pain for about 14 years.  Until I stumbled on this site I never heard about anyone else with the same symptoms.  I have a circle of pain going all around my rib cage....most of the time it's just the right side.  The pain also goes up into my jawline and gums.  I too have had all the heart tests and gallbladder tests.  It is very frustrating, once you know it's not life threatening.

[Liza]

wow, this is very weird.  ive had many similar symptoms, but what particularly strikes me is people's remarks about the RIGHT side of the chest.  no one says left. hm.  in december 99 i left a stressful job b/c i was developing health problems, notably high BP and terrible almost daily heartburn.  once i quit the issues subsided, but about 4 months later i started getting this awful sensation of a lump in the throat, like one gets when one is on the verge of tears.  it has been hanging around for the better part of the summer.  recently this aggravating esophagal sensation has been accompanied by sudden pounding feeling of the heart, like i just smoked a pack of cigarets and ran up 10 flights of stairs, yet i might just be sitting on the sofa.  then i started getting this strange feeling on the right side of the chest, like inside there is a claw grabbing my ribs, or like someone has been poking me incessantly beside the breastbone, or something. and a 'fluttering' sensation too...
     my great grandmother supposedly had a terrible goiter.  did someone say this is hereditary?  guess i'll have to submit to the battery of tests, because im developing cancer paranoia.

[Claire]

When I read your post Darlene,it shocked me! Those symptoms you
described are exactly what I've told my doctor about and my family. My doctor told me it sounded like it was stress.
I get one hard heartbeat in my chest with a fluttering in my throat followed by an anxious feeling.
I went for an ultra-sound on my throat and it showed I had multi-nodules on my thyroid. I am supposed to get another ultra-sound soon as the doctor wants to keep an eye on it.
Apparently nodules are supposed to be pretty common in woman especially over 40, which I am.
But I'm really glad you posted your symptoms, as I thought I was taking my last breath when I experienced these symptoms.
Now that I have this thyroid problem when I get a cold it seems to go directly to my throat and I experience pains and itching in my throat and ear area.
I think my family when I was describing the symptoms which you've mentioned started to think I was another (George Constanza)hypocondraic...so I thankyou for sharing your information :)  

[suzyQ]

ESOPHOGEOL REFLUX DISORDER:  I have it, after many trips to emerg with heart attack symptoms, severe chest pain, tightness in throat, sweating, vomiting and INTENSE heartburn.  I had tums in my purse, in my car on each level in my house in case I needed it fast, the heartburn was awful.  I am now on a medication apo ranitidine and it erradicates the heartburn and lessons the abdominal pain, mid sternum area,  I have constant nausea and am woken through the night with pain.  Apparently this diagnosis is a process of elimination of other more serious disorders.  I am told that it is viral.....it is an awful scary disorder.

[phyllis]

Wow: So many women--so many similarities. Don't men have this too? I have been diagnosed with esophagal nutcracker after a Mobility Study at the Toronto General Hospital. My symptoms were upper chest pressure and shortness of breath--especially after eating. I also have angina with 60% to 70% blockages in two arteries. My cardiologist cannot decide if the symptoms are related to the angina or the nutcracker and is not prepared to do a bypass (Canadaian rules)until the blockages reach 75%. They said I could have a heart attack or stroke at any time. I feel like I'm sitting on a time bomb. I have been prescribed nitro glycerin for both the angina and nutcraker. Just thought I'd share all this with you. Thanks for taking the time to set up this web site.

[Linda]

WOW! I had done some independent researching on this about 6 months ago and ended up scaring myself to death. No pain whatsoever--just the ka-ka-THUMP heartbeat and fluttering on the left side of my neck. Then I started tracking what was going on around the same time as the ka-thump and flutters occurred and discovered:  1) high stress times at work and in my volunteer activities, and 2) drinking WAY HIGH levels of iced tea and hot tea (like, up to 100 oz. a DAY -- sip, sip, sip all day long at work).  I immediately cut out all caffeine, which resulted in an almost complete cessation of the ka-thumps and flutters, plus better sleeping at night. AND, by replacing the tea with ice water, I just plain feel better!  Now I get one or two mild flutters when I'm really super busy at work (I'm in a total-deadline editor job), so I've stopped panicking. Email me if this works for you!  ***@****

[kim]

Wow!!! Just finished reading all of the replies, I also have a lot of these symptoms. I have had the heartburn and acid reflux for about 10 years. My new Gasto. Dr. is concerned about the condition of my esophagus, so am having a endoscopy soon. My heartburn gets so bad it causes pain in my back, jaws, head, and most recently came out through my breasts !! I also am treated for migrains, irritable bowel syndrome, and hypothyroid. Just located a multi-nodule goiter in my thyroid by ultrasound, due for a scan soon and perhaps a fine needle aspiration ( biopsy ). I also have flare ups of muscular and joint pain. My mother has suffered with all of this for years, and is diagnosed with Lupus, Fibromyalgia,etc. I have asked my Dr. if Fibromyalgia could be the underlying cause for me. So I am going to see a ruematologist. Has anyone else wondered about Fibromyalgia being responsible ? I am only 42 and can't believe how the prescrip-tions and specialists are piling up !! PLease respond if you have any input!

[phyllis]

I'm sitting here in tears. I thought I was losing my mind.  As I read everyone's replys, I discovered I'm not alone. It's amazing how all of us are effected by our thyroid with the same symptons.  Now that I look back on it, my problem has been working on me for the last 5 years.  I have had all the test (heart, stress, gallbladder, etc) and then finally the thyroid.  I had mine tested for cancer and thank God it came back ok.  I have 3 nodules.  One of them 3.5cm on the left, one 2.5 on the right and one in the middle that is 2.5 also.  I have just gone through a procedure that kills off the thyroid in hopes that the nodules will stop growing.  If this doesn't work then I will have to have them removed along with the thyroid. (So keep your fingers crossed and say some prayers)  I am now so tired I can't function on a daily basis.  I have missed work, which I love my job, (I quit that stresfull job I thought was causing me all my problems) because I don't have the energy to get dressed, never mind going to work.  My home looks like a bomb has gone off, but think God again, I have a wonderful husband that has supported me and been there when I'm really down and out.  I go next week for blood test and then back to the Dr. on the 19th to see if my procedure worked. I think it did because of the tiredness.  I will keep you posted on how things go.  Also, I have heard that women in the greatlakes region are more apt to have a thyroid problem.  Was just wondering if any of you live near the lakes.  I do.  I have sit on the shores of Lake Ontario many days.  Makes ya wonder if there is any truth to it and if so what casues it.  Hope all goes well with you all and good luck.     Phil

[phyllis]

I'm sitting here in tears. I thought I was losing my mind.  As I read everyone's replys, I discovered I'm not alone. It's amazing how all of us are effected by our thyroid with the same symptons.  Now that I look back on it, my problem has been working on me for the last 5 years.  I have had all the test (heart, stress, gallbladder, etc) and then finally the thyroid.  I had mine tested for cancer and thank God it came back ok.  I have 3 nodules.  One of them 3.5cm on the left, one 2.5 on the right and one in the middle that is 2.5 also.  I have just gone through a procedure that kills off the thyroid in hopes that the nodules will stop growing.  If this doesn't work then I will have to have them removed along with the thyroid. (So keep your fingers crossed and say some prayers)  I am now so tired I can't function on a daily basis.  I have missed work, which I love my job, (I quit that stresfull job I thought was causing me all my problems) because I don't have the energy to get dressed, never mind going to work.  My home looks like a bomb has gone off, but think God again, I have a wonderful husband that has supported me and been there when I'm really down and out.  I go next week for blood test and then back to the Dr. on the 19th to see if my procedure worked. I think it did because of the tiredness.  I will keep you posted on how things go.  Also, I have heard that women in the greatlakes region are more apt to have a thyroid problem.  Was just wondering if any of you live near the lakes.  I do.  I have sit on the shores of Lake Ontario many days.  Makes ya wonder if there is any truth to it and if so what casues it.  Hope all goes well with you all and good luck.     Phil