palpitations or reflux?

[maxmilmokm]

2 years ago was driving in car with kids and had a big flutter or squeeze in my chest so strong that my vision faded around the edges and I almost passed out- it made me cough and then I was better but went to the ER immediately where after a negative cardiac workup i was diagnosed with esophageal spasms- I did follow up with a cardio and had EKG, ECHO, stress test, labs all saying my heart is very healthy - the episode was followed with lots of burping and i had eated alot of spicy food prior. I also had an EGD which showed some esophageal irritation and small hiatla hernia. Was put on prilosec which helped with the flutters. Two years have passed and i have not taken prilosec except for the 3 months after the episode 2 years ago. The other day I was driving and the same thing happened again - tightening or flutter midchest and throat and the fading feeling like i am going to pass out but cough and don't- my stomach had been upset for days prior AND i was on my period(the last episode happend right after my period ended). I am 42 and have been having irregular, missed or 2 periods a month then 3 without, occasional nightsweats- I attribute all of this to hormones and peri. Progesterone is know to relax muscle - i have read that it can relax the muscle that cause the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus to relax causing reflux- the acid then irritates the esophagus which can in turn cause spasms? Makes sense I guess- just wondering if anyone else has the fading feeling after or during the flutter or sqeeze- don't really kow how to describe? I am so glad I found this site- just nervous about driving- although it happens infrequently I worry for my kids and others driving- I am starting on Prilosec again and have a Dr. appt tomorrow. But I agree - so close to the heart it is scarey and can easily trigger a panic attack- also no fun!

[maxmilmokm]

Thanks both of you for your responses- peanuts- it is so weird you dais that because i too thought of MSG.  Flycaster- it is good to have someone to relate too- just to be safe i am having another stress echo, holter monitor and my carotids checked Friday - the last time they said i had a healthy heart but am hoping they say the same this time- I am glad you are doing well now- will pay attention to any triggers foodwise for myself.  Thanks again. Oh, one more question flycaster- did you have pain when this happened?  I had no pain- just that feeling i described.

[Flycaster305]

I've had the same situation you experienced. In my case, it was an esophageal spasm.  I've had a lot of heart trouble and I certainly thought when I had the spasm, I was having another heart attack, and was hospitalized.  This happened three times.  The trigger in my case was, it is decided, was relish. I eventually had a Nissen Fundoplication surgery, and am doing well. I've had no spasms since the surgery, and I've tested myself with pickles, relish, peppers, etc.   It is extremely difficult to determine the difference between GERD and cardiac issues.  I have eight heart stents, a pacemaker, and have had several heart attacks, so always take chest pain seriously.   That being said, a heart attack is usually a crushing feeling in the chest that usually radiates to the left side of the body.  I'm guessing you have a GERD issue, but I'm not a health professional, so listen to your doctor.

[Peanuts2]

Look at your diet....any processed foods have chemicals in it... any chemicals are acidic.  You need to get your chemistry back on track....MSG is deadly, autolyzed yeast (in most boxed, frozen foods is MSG....know what you are putting in your body.