Aa
Torso pain
I have begun to suffer aching pain in my chest, esophagus, back and back of my throat during the last year. The pain is usually associated with a tightness in my jaw muscles (like the sour sensation). It first came on in the early morning hours and woke me. Then I started having it come on every 2 weeks. It arrives slowly and intensifies in about a 1 to 1.5 hour cycle. Generally, there are 2 or 3 cycles during a 48 hour period and then it goes away for a few weeks. Most recently, it now seems to arise every week somewhere between Thursday and Saturday.
I am 48, non-smoker, light drinker (1 beer each night on average, sometimes two, sometimes none). I exercise every day, several times, and eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, etc.
The docs sent me through the cardiology, and GI diagnostics with specialists, and I ended with a neurologist who first prescribed topomax (to no avail, and it made me stupid), then changed to Neurontin which seems to have been effective! The neurologist suggested that we try knocking down the pain with neurontin, then see if it did not come back. I tapered off, and a week later, the pain began again.
I am dissatisfied with the "we don't know what's wrong, but lets try this" mode of medicine. Is there any chance that I could find a potential cause for these symptoms and address them?
I am 48, non-smoker, light drinker (1 beer each night on average, sometimes two, sometimes none). I exercise every day, several times, and eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, etc.
The docs sent me through the cardiology, and GI diagnostics with specialists, and I ended with a neurologist who first prescribed topomax (to no avail, and it made me stupid), then changed to Neurontin which seems to have been effective! The neurologist suggested that we try knocking down the pain with neurontin, then see if it did not come back. I tapered off, and a week later, the pain began again.
I am dissatisfied with the "we don't know what's wrong, but lets try this" mode of medicine. Is there any chance that I could find a potential cause for these symptoms and address them?
Best Answer
I'd talk to your doctor about an MRI or CT of your back and ribs. Either way, hope you get answers and feel better soon.
Thanks for the feedback. I did the endoscopy when I went to the GI doctor. Everything was great right down to my duodenum.
Neurologist did standard balance of reaction and strength testing in about 3- or 4 minutes. She didn't have much to say. I may have to try another neuro. Unfortunately, appointments are booked about 2 months out, but the neurontin is working for now.
Brain MRI in 2004, investigating migraines showed no abnormalities. Now that I mention that, it seems like a long time ago...
yes, you should suggest an endoscopy (camera down your throat). Does sound like something with the esophagus. Take care
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