Pain in left shoulder blade, left arm

[tracey__0]

  I was diagnosed with esophagitis, gastritis and hiatal hernia about 3 months ago.  Since this time I have tried about 7 different GI meds to control the symptoms.  I have had all the GI tests done-PH monitor showed acid in the esophagus at 1.8-3.0. I have terrible chest pains.  Recently though(in the past months or so)  I have been having terrible pain in my left shoulder blade and left shoulder.  The pain starts underneath my left breast and radiates to these other areas.  It feels as if something is caught underneath my left ribcage.  The chest pain I have had for almost a year and a half (all cardiac workups are negative).  This shoulder pain is new though.  I cannot take the GI meds because I cannot tolerate the side effects(doc says I am in the 3% of population that cannot take them)  I have asked my doctor if this pain is from the hiatal hernia and he says "not likely".  I wonder if you might have some idea as to what it might "likely" be?   Could it just be the fact that the acid level is so high I am feeling the pain in these other areas?  I also cannot excersize because the hernis slides up and when I am through I have very bad chest pain.  This has turned my life upside down.  I see a surgeon on Dec 3rd.  My last option-not a plesant one but my only one.   Please help me understand if you can.  Thank you for your great advice this is a wonderful forum for people with these problems.
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Dear Tracy,
If you have substantial acid reflux, then it is quite possible that all your symptoms are the result of the reflux.  There are a number of different therapeutic approaches based on various combinations of acid inhibitors and prokinetic agents that can be tried.  If, however, symptoms persist, then surgery may be needed.  It is necessary to exclude other possible explanations before deciding on surgery.  Shoulder x-rays and chest x-ray will be needed.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Always ask specific medical questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: esophageal reflux
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