ESOPHAGUS

[Maura]

Dear Listener



Last Friday I was admitted as an Emergency to a local Hospital with bad chest pain, situated right in the middle of my breasts.   After a battery of tests the Hospital thought that I may have an inflammed Esophagus, may be an Ulcer and that I had a slight chest infection.   I have been prescribed Rantinidine and antibiotics for the chest infection.



I need to know, does an Inflammed Esophagus cause pain/discomfort right through to the back?   And, does it inhibit breathing when walking?   I have been experiencing these symptons.   Is it possible for you to give me a synopsis of symptons that might occur with an Inflammed Esophagus/ulcer?



My thanks,



Maura.

[HFHSM.D.-rf]

Dear Maura,

The first step in the evaluation of chest painis to exclude a cardiac (heart) cause.  Angina as well as myocardial infarction are the more serious causes of chest pain.  Once a cardiac cause has been excluded, other possible causes can be sought.  EsSophageal rellfux ( gastric contents flowing into the esophagus)can cause chest pain that simulates a cardiac event.  This noncardiac chest pain is a common cause of emergency room visits.  However, it is necessary to emphasize that FIRST a cardiac cause must be eleiminated.



Esophageal chest pain can be retrosternal and may radiate to the back, although other conditions can give the same syptoms (symptoms).



It is necesary that you talk with your physician regarding the value of additional tests to determine the cause for your symptoms.



THis information is presented for educational purposes only.  Ask pspecific questiosn to your personal physician.

[Dr. Erik]

Dear Maura:



All the symptoms you name are consistant with esophageal inflammation. The esophagus runs along the Vagus Nerve which also runs along the heart. Esophageal pain can mimic that of a heart attack. Esophageal pain can cause chest pain throughout the chest and through to the back. It can cause shortness of breath if there is a problem with the stomach such as a hiatal hernia, where a portion of the stomach pushes through the diaghram into the chest cavity. The diaghram helps regulate breathing. I know this because I have had the same problems for years. The next step is  to have a upper GI and/or upper endoscopy. You might want to try a proton pump inhibitor such as Prevacid or Prilosec. They work much better than Ranitidine(Zantac). Good luck.



  -Erik

[dave]

In August of this year I went out drinking with my

friends and I guess drank to much and got sick that night.

The next day I was fine but the day after that I woke up and

couldn't get a relaxing deep breath and my chest hurt.  I

went to see my doctor 3 times that week and was given a different

diagnosis each time.  I was then given Achiphex because my doctor

thought I have acid reflux.  I took that medication for about 2months

and it helped alittle but I still had the trouble of getting a relaxing

deep breath.  It almost feels like pressure on my chest and when I take a

deep breath, I don't get a relaxing feeling.  I then was off the medication

2 weeks prior to my endoscopy.  They discovered mild esophagitis.  So I was

given (zantac 150).  Can't remember the prescription term but It starts with

an R rantidine? I don't know.  I have been taking that for about a week

and a half and still no relief on the deep breaths.

Its getting to be very frustrating.

I guess I would like to know if esophagitis would cause me not to get a relaxing

deep breath.

I have also had other attacks.  Yesterday I was driving home in very bad weather

and I wanted to keep trying to get that relaxing breath, it was almost like I was

having a panic attack because of the weather and I was far from home.

I have been coughing and burping alot and my chest feels so compressed its uncomfortable.

[Lizzy]

I was so happy to come across your letter.  I have the exact same

chest discomfort as you.  I had a chest x-ray that was negative

and a stress test that was negative.  I also tried 2 weeks of axid.  that didn't help either.  My Dr. just prescribed xanax and

said I probably have panic attacks.  I don't believe that.  I think the shortness of breath does sometimes make me panic, but I think it's because I don't know why I can't breath right.  Have you gotten any relief yet??   I hope so.

[bj]

HELLO



please can you help me, I had a nissen fundoplicatio 17 months ago and a few months later had a dilation, the almost 3 months ago I had a gastric peg tube put in to help rid my stomach of air.  

And yet I still have severe chronic pain in my upper right abdoman quarter that works to the chest and down my arm and up my neck.  I can not burp or throw up.



Can you send me a list of all the complications that you may be aware of.  I am disabled and can no longer work.  I am on the max antidepressants and now I have lost my medical ins.  I a waiting to here on SSDI as I have gone through my savings and 401k.   Please help me



Thank you

BJ

[bj]

HELLO



please can you help me, I had a nissen fundoplicatio 17 months ago and a few months later had a dilation, the almost 3 months ago I had a gastric peg tube put in to help rid my stomach of air.  

And yet I still have severe chronic pain in my upper right abdoman quarter that works to the chest and down my arm and up my neck.  I can not burp or throw up.



Can you send me a list of all the complications that you may be aware of.  I am disabled and can no longer work.  I am on the max antidepressants and now I have lost my medical ins.  I a waiting to here on SSDI as I have gone through my savings and 401k.   Please help me



Thank you

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