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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Chest & swallowing
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Chest & swallowing
by dkh, May 30, 2007 12:00AM
I have had a constant pain in the mid chest for sometime. It is worse at night and lying on my left side makes it worse. I have a "flutter" heart feeling, but pulse is fine. I have a general swallowing discomfort but not realted to food. To describe it better... it is like the congestion and sick chest feeling with bronchitis, but without coughing. Sometimes there is pain under left arm. Over a year ago, I had a systemic rash that was thought to be a drug reaction. All my tests are negative - Chest CT, heart scan, cardia monitors, treadmill, labs. The only lab that is off is Vitamin D and I have diagnosis of costocondritis. While stress does make it worse, I am able to rest at home and have no stress with the issues continuing. People tell me I may have a GI problem, shingles, fibromyalgia, and so on.
I am miserable and ready to know so I can get effective treatment.
I am miserable and ready to know so I can get effective treatment.
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-M.D.-SH, Jul 30, 2007 12:00AM
First of all, keep in mind that I am unable to diagnose you because I am unable to examine you, this forum is for educational purposes.
The symptoms that you describe are not specific for any single disorder. From your description I cannot place your chronic pain into a specific neurologic cause. Given your swallowing discomfort then testing for chronic neuromuscular disorders (such as myasthenia gravis) may be helpful. I would also suggest a trial on a medication that treats neuropathic pain such as neurontin, elavil, lyrica, etc to see if it improves your pain. I would recommend that you see a neurologist and your regular doctor for additonal tests/medications.
I hope this has been helpful.
The symptoms that you describe are not specific for any single disorder. From your description I cannot place your chronic pain into a specific neurologic cause. Given your swallowing discomfort then testing for chronic neuromuscular disorders (such as myasthenia gravis) may be helpful. I would also suggest a trial on a medication that treats neuropathic pain such as neurontin, elavil, lyrica, etc to see if it improves your pain. I would recommend that you see a neurologist and your regular doctor for additonal tests/medications.
I hope this has been helpful.
Member Comments (2)
by waterlilly, May 30, 2007 12:00AM
To: dkh
Sounds as if it could be a Gi proplem, you may have a narrowing of the esophagus which requires dilitation. I would get a complete GI work up, if nothing else, to rule out that possibility. I would keep a diary of activities, foods you eat and daily stresses to determine when these problems excelrate or ease to determine a key factor in waht sets off symptoms. Good luck!
