Chest pain?

[Madness]

Hi, Recently (about the last month or 2 at most) ive been experiencing chest pains usually unexpected. This pain occurs in the center of the rib cage, feels almost as if I could touch it, and is short, but usually leaves a after feeling(a very slight pain, which usually comes and goes) thruout the rest of the day/night, and usually seems to come with breathing. I am 20 years old, and a marijuana smoker, fairly heavily for the last year 1/2. When this pain occurs, ive realised that i usually have heartburn, and smoking definately irritates it. Not sure which it is related to, but both seem to have something to do with it. I went to doctor and he put me on Aciphex, gave me a EKG that came out normal, and scheduled me in week 1/2 to check for heart murmur and xray.
Tonight I did the experiment to see if it was smoking related, and I got the pain once (not too bad), and still have the after feeling. Im on the Aciphex, and I dont have heartburn, but I have consistent burping. A few minutes ago as I was trying to force one of the burps out, and I felt a pain that was almost like the one I had before. I think its a problem with something in my esophagus, but im not sure. Should I try to rush my next doctor appointment, or am I just worrying too much? Im planning on quitting smoking, but I dont know what to do and truthfully it scares the hell out of me. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[National Jewish]

From the information you have provided, it sounds like you are having acid reflux from your stomach into your esophagus. This is a fairly common problem and is definitely made worse by your smoking. Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the ease with which it is controlled, there are different medications, antacids etc that can be used to control this problem. It is not a cause for panic, but for you to stop smoking and watch your diet.  To help you stop smoking, you may want to look at our Just Quit Online program at http://www.nationaljewish.org.

[Madness]

Well, I've come to the conclusion that it has to be something with the digestive system. Since I posted, no smoking at all, and still getting the same pain as before after eating. Taking Axiphex now, and I dont feel any heartburn, but everytime I eat anything I am very gastric and have constant burping, and I have noticed I have random pinching type pains in my lower ribcage on left and right side (mostly on the right side though). The pain seems to be worst around 3-4 hours after I eat also. Any ideas on what this could be? And are those pinches I feel just gas and nothing to worry about? I visited the doctor again and I suggested that it may be a gall bladder problem, but he applied pressure and no notable pain, and said he dont think thats the problem, and tomorrow I have to make an appointment for a upper gi, but I feel really uncomfortable having no idea what is going on with myself, and I would like to have an idea of how long I have to live on soup for the lowest amount of pain each meal. Any info would be appreciated.

[dejavu662]

i have been brping as well for the past year now, i noticed i had started to burp when i quit smoking marijuana, now i have been smoking, and i still burp. I know that is it air, but i dont know how much more i can take of this! i also get panis attacks when i am paranoid, or anxious, i am on paxil, but isnt so much of help. please comment on anything i could do!