IS IT HEART OR STOMACH?

[miss indy]

I am a 46 yr old female and was in fairly good health (am overweight) until last Aug. I went to ER for vertigo. Diagnosed with inner ear infection.  Given meds for that. Went to ear, nose and throat specialist for follow-up.  After MRI and CT scan diagnosed with severe sinusitis. Given meds for that but there is always this feeling of pressure in my head. In Oct. of last year went back to ER with severe pain between breast bone, up left side of chest, under left armpit, down left arm.  Had thorough heart work up - everything looked fine. Said caused due to GERD. Sent to gastro. Did MRI and gall bladder ultrasound.  Had gall bladder taken out this Jan. Have taken several meds for the acid reflux but none have helped with the pain.  Adjusted diet for GERD.  The pain has never gone away but is always more intense at night.  Have had to go to ER in the middle of the night on 3 more occasions.  During one ER visit said pain due to ulcer from H Pyloiri. Gave meds for that. Felt wonderful while on meds but as soon as meds were done - the pain was back with a vengence.  Since it has been a year the heart specialist ordered another cardiolite stress test.  Have not received results of that testing as yet. I am so frustrated.  I am on the frequent flyer program at the local ER.  I have talked with my family physician, gastro specialist and heart specialist. All say probably not heart but stomach. I am concerned since the pain is in chest and left arm that there is a heart problem.  My mother has had heart attack and bypass surgery. There has to be some answer here....Thanks

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear miss,
I would not assume that it is not your heart until the results from the cardiolite stress test are back.  If this is normal then I would continue to focus on the gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD). There are many different medications and in extreme cases surgery that may help with the problem.  In addition weight loss will help decrease GERD.  Best wishes.

[redeemed92]

Oh my God,
You are me. I have been having several problems with chest pain the same way you described in addition to severe headaches. I was also diagnosed with H. Pylori. I am so tired of being treated as if I were psychotic. It's been a long time but worsening of the symptoms as time passes. I've had echocardiograms to ultrasounds to ct scans. I'm now getting an MRI of my head and an endoscopy next week. I layed down last night with such pain and strange sensations in my head with the chest pain, neck and shoulder pain and my left arm always feels heavy. I have had health problems ever since I took fen-fen back in 96. They say its not related. I was laying down and could hear a weird draining sound in my ears and then thought to myself could this be caused from poor blood circulation to the brain and chest? Then I thought maybe it could be block arteries because I have had a high fat diet for many years and when on a protein diet for about 6 months that consisted of cheese and meat. I don't know what it could be but I continue to be in constant pain and fear that I'm going to keel over one day and that the doctors will then say. OH! So thats what she had. I pray everday and will continue to since I have no more faith in doctors. They prescribe anti-depressants for all these problems. I will pray for you too and get back to you with my results. Don't give up keep pushing for answers.

[pete1]

I have had the same fealing. I have one question. Did you have any trouble breathing with this as well? I have the fealing that I am breathing through a pinched straw. I have been told that it could be GERD but the previcid that they gave me has not helped breathing.

[miss indy]

Not really a difficulty in breathing but the feeling that something is stuck in my throat.  The pain in my chest and arm is so bad during these attacks that I don't really focus on anything else. When the big attacks occur all I can think of - is this my last breath???

[idorchid]

i'm barely 19 and in general good health, i am slightly over weight, the only previous heart troubles i've had is some skipping and speeding after i had mono, but it faded, but now i am having reflux, have pain in the right side of my chest, but it feels like tis a muscular kind of pain, how i move makes it hurt more less, but it comes and goes, i had antibiotics and i take an acid reducer but its still there, and some sleep apnea (breathing stops) when i am falling asleep or i will wake up like that, has anybody had any simillar issues?

[Concerned lady]

It's true that some heart problems can cause shortness of breath, but GERD can cause a breathing problem called "Vocal Cord Dysfunction" that often feels like trying to breathe through a straw!

Sometimes people have BOTH heart & GERD problems. Sometimes GERD alone can cause palpitations.

If it's just GERD, check my website called, "Can't Breathe? Suspect Vocal Cord Dysfunction!", which is at http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com and read everything that mentions GERD. There are also links to good websites about GERD!

Find very good heart & digestive docs to help get you a correct diagnosis!

I think you should post your questions on a DIGESTIVE site, too. Many people have painful problems AFTER gall bladder surgery!!, even including pancreatitis, etc!!! This may be an important thing to follow up on, with an excellent Gastro-enterologist.

After you get correctly diagnosed, consider visiting a health food store and holistic practitioners (acupuncturist, gentle chiropracter or osteopath, etc.) to complement your medical treatment.

Also, for your sinus problem, I recommend reading SINUS SURVIVAL, by Dr. Robert Ivker, D.O. (EXCELLENT BOOK TO HELP SINUS CONDITIONS GET BETTER!!!!!)

Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

Sincerely, Concerned lady

***@****
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[pete1]

I just read the site listed by the last comment. I think this is what I have. People who have the same symptoms (IE, feeling like they are not breathing well,talking funny during episode,etc) please read. I think this hits the nail on the head. If I am reading it correctly, this can come and go. I was told anxiaty and given adivan. I have never had axiety before but for some reason, this med. helps. What I told my wife was that it felt like it relaxes something in my throat that helps my breathing. I have to thank this person. If this is what it turns out to be, I will have to owe them giving me my life back. This has affected my life in so many ways. (relationship, work, etc). Take a look at the site please!!!!!

[bubbaluvs]

I, too, was recently diagnosed with H. Pylori and have been
taking Biaxin. The most troubling symptom i've been having is difficulty breathing and swallowing. I will check out that site http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com as it sounds like me.
Plus, I'm a professional singer and the fact that I am constantly using my vocal cords could add to the problem.
I feel your pain and fear and wish you all the best of luck
and future health. God bless!