Heart related heartburn?

[tanns]

I've been trying to figure out all morning if I should post this in the anxiety forum or here in the heart forum.  I decided here because I know so many of you have dealt with anxiety issues in addition to heart related problems.

Since yesterday I have had a HORRIBLE burning in the middle of my chest.  Tums doesn't seem to relieve it and it doesn't seem to be related to food.  So of course (and I KNOW not to do this!!) I google unexplained heartburn and BAM...it's shows women and heart disease.  I have had this burning more often than not lately but not for this long without a break.  Last night I had I think "mini" panic attacks as the crazy feeling came in waves until I fell asleep praying that it would stop.  

Anyway, this burning is so bad it is distracting.  I can't concentrate on anything.  I've cleaned the bathrooms, the laundry and even went for a walk.  Nothing is helping.  As I have said before, I've had the workup done.  EVERYTHING.  All normal, of course.  But this burning is scaring me into unnecessary panic attacks.  I try to realize that it can't be my heart, not with all the tests I have had done but my self talk isn't working.  Has anyone experienced this feeling that wasn't related to heart or food?  

Thanks you all, I hope you all are having a peaceful Sunday.

[enufworry61]

This is my first time on the forum.  I'm so glad to be reading these postings.  I am 61 and was diagnosed with MVP in my 20's.  I've spent many hours in the ER and much money on test and meds.  My Dad's family had lots of heart attacks and so when I have ANY sensations in my chest---I go nuts.  I have recently experienced the burning chest pain you've been talking about.  Burning from my throat and across my chest and even in my upper arms.  It's pretty scary.  I have had EKG, Holter. Stess tests and even the fancy 64 CT scan at UCLA!  All, of course, normal.  I am pretty sure it's GERD---or something like that---but I sure do get freaked out.  I have taken Prilosec and it helps for a few days or so but then the heartburn (?) comes back. In addition, the last 2 or 3 days I've had this feeling that I can't take a deep breeath and that I need to yawn to catch my breath.  There is some pain or pressure under my rib cage (in that space in the middle).

Mostly, I just wanted to say how greatful I am to have found this forum.  Sometines in the wee hours when I'm up worrying---I turn on the computer and read what you all write and I can relax and get some sleep.  

[RDudley]

I have the  acid reflux myself. I have had this for years. Been  in and out of hospitals cause of what he does to me. When I have an attack I get the same thing of the chest burning. Only other problems I get is its hard to breath, I get extreamly over heated, my body starts to sweat, I get extreamly light headed, I have passed out from the pain before. I tend to loose some feeling in my legs and it goes on and on. The docs many docs I have been to just tell me its acid reflux I  have been put on many pills. Some help for a short time but then they stop working for me.

The only thing I have learned that I can do now when my attacks come is drink lots of pepto (I hate pepto) Drink lots of water after the pepto and lay on my left side with my legs bent slightly and pulled up. All I can do is lay there and hope that it goes away. If I try to move or get up Im out for the count. I have been known to pass out and stay out for a good while.

If I dont have pepto on hand then I go straight for milk. I know milk isnt the first thing they tell you but it does help some.

That is the only advice I can give you.

I have given up on Doctors. They dont seem to know how to fix/treat my acid reflux they just want me to keep going to them so they can tell me dunno and pay my bill.

[anacyde]

Yes, panic attacks can definitely come in varying intensities.  And frequently they do.

Burning pain truly sounds digestive.  The gallbladder suggestion might not be a bad idea.  My mom recently had similar symptoms, went through the entire cardiac workup and finally they found (a year later) that her gallbladder was full of stones and pretty much shot.  They removed it, now she feels much better.

The other thing is GERD.  Mine manifests not as burning but tightness and shortness of breath.  I was convinced something was wrong with my heart or lungs, but it was actually my esophagus spasming.  Nice huh?  Stress can trigger that.

Hope you find some answers soon.

[tanns]

I did have a HIDA scan and gallbladder ultrasound back in Dec. 05 when all this chest pain stuff started happening.  They were normal, as are all my tests!!!  It is crazy because I don't want there to be anything wrong but yet, there IS something wrong and I can't figure out what it is!!   AGH!

Thanks for your reply.  Did your burning happening ALL day long?  

[dmil241]

I just wanted to add that if it is your gallbladder, the meds for GERDS will not do a thing. You need to have a HIDA scan to check out if it is functioning properly!!!

[dmil241]

Tanns,

Sometimes it would be on and off all day. Sometimes there would be a day or two that I did not have any burning sensation. It did not correlate to meals at all most of the time and that is why I did not connect it to digestive things. I would imagine it could hit people a bit differently.

[dmil241]

YES! I know what you are talking about!!!! Have you had your gallbladder checked out? You need to have a HIDA scan, not just an ultrasound done on it! I had problems with that very thing for almost 5 years, until my cardiologist insisted on a HIDA scan! It showed that my gallbladder was not functioning properly. I had it taken out and most of that burning sensation is gone!! (I still get some reflux that can cause some problems.)Also if you have acid relux or GERDS, it does not have to be matched to right after you eat. For example, many people eat dinner and then wake up at 3 or 4 o'clock with bad heartburn. I use to have problems right after I got out of bed before I had eaten ANYTHING! It was something that I just could not understand. Good Luck!

[tanns]

And just another quick question, can panic attacks come in different intensities?  I haven't had one like the first one that sent me into this heart awareness/anxiety circle hell that started 16 months ago.  That one was horrible.  But since then I think I've had smaller ones.  Is that possible?

Thanks again!!

tanns