gerd or heart problem?

Hi. Im a 29 year old male,6' 181 lbs,social drinker and a smoker.Back in the beginning of the year i decided to quit smoking and drinking caffinated drinks.About four days into it, i had chest pains and my left side got pins and needles feeling in it.I went to the ER and the did a ekg and blood work which came back normal. I went to my dr and he sent me for a stress test and an echocardiogram,which all came back normal.So he sent me for an upper GI along for with a sonogram of abdomen,kidneys,gallbladder and liver,which came back normal also. He said it was acid reflux and put me on protonix,which did not help me.then i tried nexium which helped for about a month,but then it stopped.now he has me on prevacid
  Now for about the past week my chest is very sore to touch in certain spots and i am constipated.Also my left arm gets pins and needles feeling in it,but goes away after a second or two.My doctor is sending me to see a gastroenterologist next week. My bp is normal along with my pulse.I do worry alot that there is something wrong with me
  Can this be from gerd or an ulcer? or is it a heart problem? or can it be anxiety? Thanks for your help

[Kevin Pho, MD]

GERD or an ulcer is certainly possible.  However, with a negative upper GI, this would be less likely.  You can consider an upper endoscopy, which is a more comprehensive test.  

The normal stress test and echocardiogram would make heart disease less likely.

I would consider a 24-hr pH study to definitively rule out GERD.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

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, M.D.
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