Pain behind breastbone - gerd questions

24 year male, gd weight
Developed an occasional breathing problem 6 mths ago, docs though it was from GERD. I am on Nexium now, seems to be better, gerd is def better, but I still "berp" allot.

Besides the "berping" my main problem is tension behind the breastbone. When I stretch back I can feel what feels like streching, and when streching back and taking deep breaths I feel more streching and feels akward like something is pushing against something. Sometimes slight soreness in ribs, but usually not. When I press on the area I am talking about it really dosent cause pain. Its like a streching feeling with slight pain. Located right in the middle of my chest about 2-4 inches above the very bottom of my solar plexis right in the center. width of pain about 4 inches max When I run, it gets sore, but seems to get better after a while. slight stomach empty feeling-buring sometimes also. burping after eating.

I had some test's done. I had a ekg, which was good, a chest xray which was good. I used to smoke, had a pul funct. test w an w-o dialters, and the test were good, lung capacity TLC was 8.3l. The report said" spirometry w normal FCV, FEV1, FEF 25-75 And MVV PRE and POST BRONCHODILATOR. LUNG VOLUMES NORMAL. DIFFUSING CAPACITY ELEVATED. IMPRESSION: NO SIGNIFICANT OBSTRUCTION OR RESTRICTION.

Had a barium swallow test.Report said "A double contrast study was performed. There is a small sliding hiatal hernia but no reflux is seen. The esophagel mucosa is normal. The stomach is otherwise normal. The duodenal bulb and loop are normal. IMPRESSION: small sliding type hernia without reflux.

My ?'s are... am I freaking out or could I have some type of cancer? If, not any idea on what could be causing this? Also how bad is endoscopy without sedation, if I get it done I want the spray only. I used to work in sewers. 2 yrs ago I was thinking maybe smthing muscual because of streching sensation, but w the buprs I dont know. I have always burped though.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the tests thus far.  

Indeed, the next step would be an upper endoscopy.  Without anesthesia, this test can be quite uncomfortable, and normally conscious sedation is needed. This would be the definitive test to exclude cancers in the esophagus or stomach.

If the GI tests remain negative, I would consider imaging the test - either with a plain X-ray film or CT scan.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin Pho, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com
www.twitter.com/kevinmd

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

hi , iam going through same thing almost, i have lots air in chest i belch all day and its sore in the middle of my stomack where my ribs meet, when i get anxiety my stomack does this and causes me to have chest pains/air in chest not want to eat and feel like i cant breath good. no i dont belive its cancer when i push the middle of my tummy below my ribs in the middle its very sore to .

so do you have anxiety can cause this ?   gerd will cause this to . had it for years . i take over the counter meds but sometimes not help  ,
check back with your dr maybe he can help always here if need to talk .