Chest Ache Intermitent

[dukert2]

I have a history of IBS, and reflux, IBS pretty well controlled with Citrucel. I also get Reflux on occasion. I have had bloodwork, chest x-ray, and heart ekg, etc. I am confident its not my heart. I get some intermitent dis comfort on the right side..just below the right ribs, but sometimes lower. Also, I get an intermitent chest ache just under right breast towards the middle....sometimes a bit of discomfort under right shoulder blade. I seem to have gas, and the other night I had moderate heartburn right in the middle relieved by 150 mg. of zantac. I have had this chest ache and just below the rib discomfort off and on for a year...never gets worse...has at times gotton considerably better. I take xocor, cymbalta, and started on zantac this week. I worry a lot.... I am 57, not overweight...don't smoke...do drink some wine which I have stopped for now.

Here's the question...how high in the chest can you have this intermitent ache if its IBS or Reflux related? And, what do you think the aches are from? My wife is a 30 year nurse not a dr. and she says if it we're really bad it would get worse??!!

Thanks for your advise. God bless.

[dawabbit]

My husband was the healthiest man, up until 6 years ago, when it all went downhill. We rented and lived in a small apartment that had a lot of deadly molds on the wall. We've been exposed to molds for about 2 years. We later found out that he had allergic reactions to mold. It all started from there. Nothing happen to me, cuz I don't have allergic reactions like he does. The molds, obviously had weakened his immune system, he started getting fevers, ear infections, light headed, etc. We went to a Thai restaurant called "Thai Promise" in Mission Viejo, CA had he started coming home vomiting, diarrea, and fevering. He felt like he was gonna die. I thought that maybe he was food poisoned. Months later, we went back to that restaurant. The same thing happened to him. Funny thing is, we ate the same food but I was ok.

We owned and was operating a very stressful food business for 6 years, working 12/7. Every doctor we went to would just rule out stress / anxiety and send us home. My husband was never the same ever since. He has this chest tightness, shortness of breath, and a discomforting churning growling stabbing (you name it) under his left rib cage traveling to the back upper shoulder blade area. It feels like cold airy acidy gas. He was never able to take a full deep breath eversinced. Every time it seems like air is leeking somewhere else. We've done colonoscopy came out normal, breath test, numorous blood works, chest xrays, ekg, gallstone ultrasound, recently endoscopy with biopsy ruled out that he has inflammation and erosion in his esophogus. Was put on Nexium with no improvement and left dangling again. We've tried practically anything, anyone would recommend us. There are times when he has this sharp pain just a little below his left hip bone. A pain which concerns him that we went to do ultrasound for stones, came negative. He does realize that he feels better on certain days, and that certain food does make him feel crappy. It's very discomforting for him and I hate seeing him go through that. His 2 year older brother died of Leukemia less than 6 months ago after battling 4 years.

We visited the Asian country 6 months ago and he came back with diarrea. I did too, but it went away in about a week. His diarrea has been on for 6 months. He was put on strong antibiotics and immodium with not much luck. After each of his diarrea, he gets this growling churning discomfort in his stomach. People look at my husband and no one has a clue that he has all these symptoms.

My husband is the sweetest man in the world, why is he being punished with all these illnesses? We've spent over 40k in medical bills already (that is with insurance coverage)with no solution. It's funny how different docs tells you different things just to get you out of their office. Doctors told my husband that he's got pluracy, muscle spasm, anxiety attack, GERD, gastritis, ulcer, IBS, asthma.

After visiting this website, I realized that my husband isn't alone. There seems to be no answer as of it yet. But if there is ever that someone has the answer to all this, please advise. I appreciate any input. Thank you.

[dukert2]

Thanks to you both.

[Idab]

Hi, do you still have your gall bladder? - it sounds very much to me that your symptoms could relate to gall bladder as they mostly stem from the right hand side, under the ribs.  Gall bladder symptoms can mimic many disorders, even that of a heart disorder.  I would get it checked out via sonar/CT scan if the pain continues to trouble you.

[billbaggins]

Not a doctor myself, but with my GERD, I have had a stabbing pain go from the center of my chest (where the rib cage comes together) into my back. Dunno if that will help.

[dukert2]

Dr. Kevin,

I am not complaining but I do not feel you directly anwered my question? You did tell what diagnostic tests you would suggest, but my question was is it POSSIBLE to have chest ache in the location I described from Reflux or IBS??

I kow you can not diagnosis but you can tell me if it is possible?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The characteristics of the chest ache can vary from patient to patient.  At this time, I would consider an upper endoscopy as well as a 24-hr pH study to further evaluate the upper GI symptoms.  This can evaluate the severity of any possible GERD, as well as rule out less common upper GI disorders.

A stress-echocardiogram can be considered to rule out heart disease.  

Outside of the GI and cardiac system, you can evaluate for possible pulmonary or musculoskeletal causes.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_