Can Barretts or Hietal hernia cause this?

[bengal lady]

I was just recently diagnosed with Barrett's after suffering with chest discomfor off and on for 6 months.  I had a stress test and echo done prior to seeing a GI doctor.  My question is that when I feel the chest discomfort I also have pain in the lower gums of my teeth.  Can this be related to the Barretts or small hietal hernia or did they miss something on my cardiac workup?  I was placed on 3 20mg Prilosec a day 2 weeks ago for the Barrett's but I still get this discomfort.  I never really had any acid reflux to speak of.  I am getting concerned that maybe it is my heart after all since the Prilosec is not working. I just dont know where to turn.  I have an appointment with my GI doctor this Thursday but am concerned now about is I need to get my heart further checked out.  I am a 42 year old female.  Thank you for your time.

[lynda]

I HAVE JUST BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A HIATUS HERNIA. MY PROBLEM IS EVERY NOW AND THEN RIGHT BETWEEN MY BREASTS, I GET PAIN, BAD PAIN THAT GOES THRU TO MY BACK. IT SORT OF FEELS LIKE A SPASM AT THE SAME TIME IT IS HAPPENING. ALSO I JUST HAD AN UPPER GI AND THEY TOLD ME MY STOMACH HAS ENLARGED SINCE GI 3 YEARS AGO. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS AWFUL PAIN RIGHT BETWEEN BREASTS? IT NEVER LASTS VERY LONG, THANK GOD FOR THAT. IF ANY OF YOU CAN HELP ME PLEASE EMIL ME AT  ***@****        ANY HELP I CAN GET FROM YOU WOULD MAKE ME FEEL BETTER.

[Rita]

I just had an EGD procedure done today and it determined that I have an hiatal hernia.  That is what is causing my heartburn and reflux problems for the last 4+ years.  I had an upper GI 3 years ago and it showed that I did not have a hernia. I'm not sure if that means I had one then and it didn't detect it, or it has developed since then??  Noone else seems to be mentioning having this EGD procedure done, but I'm glad to finally know what is causing my constant heartburn problems.  

I wanted to share that I have been using a new drug "Aciphex" since October and from day 1 on until now have only had a total of one or two incidents of heartburn/reflux since then, without using any more Tums/Pepcid/Zantac that I had been using constantly, several times a day.  Aciphex was just approved on the US market last fall.  My doctor said I had to have the EGD done to make sure the medicine is not masking other problems - such as ulcers, esophagal cancer, etc.  He said if we rule those out, that I can stay on this medicine almost indefinitely.  I have looked it up and it is a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI).  I hope this info might give some other GERD sufferers some options.

  I don't know how long this drug will work or if I should consider surgical options.  I see my doctor to go over all this next week, as well as to get the results of the biopsy from the EGD.  

Thanks, Rita

[Shirley Warren]

Question about pain below my breastbone, it is steady sometimes
and then it may go away for a week then return.  I have gone through many tests with no answers, one Dr. stated it must be Gerds.  Other Drs. say they don't think it is Gerds but a Colon problem.  I go to another Gastrologist this week.  Wish I could get some answers.   Got any suggestions?  I take Zantac twice a day 300mg.  Does not help all the time.  
Thanks

[stacey]

I am 26, have Barretts and the hernia. I often have SEVERE pain right at the base of my sternum and they say that it is not cause d by the BArretts but no one knows waht it is. It feels like a knife and I just curl up in a ball and cry. Throwing up is the only thing that seems to help. Any ideas? I go to the doctor Wed. Feb.9th.....HELP!!!

[Pam]

To Dani and Debra, I also have "Gerd" Gastropheal Esophagus Reflux Disorder, and a small Hiatal Hernia, which I've been dealing with for two years and very bad the 6 to 8 months. Over the counter stuff isn't strong enough RX drugs will only do.. As I still never am very good. I always have swollen glands in my throat with a lot of (air) Globus Phenomenoen which is a feeling of stuck air! When I had my barrium swallow done 'Gerd' did not show up. When I went in for an upper G.I. finding  dysphalsia in the throat(like a lot of rawness) all caused from reflux, also finding amy Hernia, which makes it completly difficult to find any comfort because the Hernia causes the small flap at the bottom of the esophagus to stay stuck open,therefore all the gases/acids coming back up. So yes experiencing neck problems,burning sensations,sitting up in the middle of the night out of breath with a heart rush is all Gerd to my experience. I wish someone would really devote there time to read all these problems of us Gerd patients and find a cure as I know we are living daily He.. and are sick,tierd,depressed"and are reaching out for any answers possible. Watching your diet helps,no caffiene,alcohol,cigs,choc.mints these all hold the sphictor open and makes it weaker. Good luck to all :my E-mail is ***@**** if you want to ever talk about this Gerd/Garb. pam

[Bill Caddell]

Dani,

Have you read the info posted to this forum re: "Barrett's Esophagus"?

From what you've described, you need to see a Gastroenterologist. Research the info on the internet, that will tell you a lot.

There are many good sites on the internet. Some good ones are at

"http://www.gihealth.com/TREC2/articles/gerd.html"
"http://www.gihealth.com/TREC2/articles/barretts.html"
"http://pharminfo.com/pubs/msb/mangerd.html"
"http://pharminfo.com/disease/gastro/gastrolinks.html#Barretts_Esophagus"

If you have questions, e-mail me at "***@****"