Gastro Help?

[olt11]

Im looking for answers. For 2 years I had continuous stomach pain, heartburn and chest pains. I was seen numerous times in the ER when the pain got to bad. Everytime I was told there was nothing wrong. Finally one doctor decided to do a hida scan and found I had a low function gallbladder. it was only 17%. In November I had my gallbladder removed. I had a lot of pain and the heartburn instantly returned.. and I would get nauseas with one bite of food. Went back to my surgeon he referred me to a gastro dr, and prescribed me Prilosec. Prilosec did nothing. While waiting to get in I continued to get worse. Heartburn, throat feels like its on fire, chest pain, acid taste, indigestion, back pain, burping, acid coming up every time I burp. Finally got in to the gastro dr. He put me on protonix, and scheduled me for an EGD and Gastric Emptying Test. Both came back fine, but still feel horrible. Surgeons question if it could be anxiety? I really don't think so. Went back to the gastro today to follow up. He changed my dose of protonix, and said to see how that worked. Tonight I woke up sweating, with a horrible pain in my throat, intense heartburn, chest pain and a little light headed. Went to the ER the gave me a GI Cocktail, it numbed my throat and helped the heartburn, never made it past triage. Back home now and have really bad gas, back pain, and just don't feel well. Anyone experience this or have any suggestions or ideas??

[Margot49]

So sorry.  You sound miserable!  I have not had my gallbladder removed but have been dealing with gastric issues myself, though not heartburn.  First off, I would not hesitate getting another opinion.  You have a University hospital near you with a good GI department with Soecialists?  If so, I would ask for a referral and take your records with you.  I don't see where you live but, like in my case, it would be Stanford, UCSF, etc in my area.
After numerous tests here, I was referred over there and, right or wrong, went through a test they can't do in my area and was diagnosed with rapid gastric emptying - still trying to understand that.  
They do treat a lot of these gastric issues with anti-depressants along with other meds but don't let some doctor just write this off to anxiety, which some love to do when they don't have an answer.
Perhaps the Protonix is not the best med fir you.  Maybe ask about Carafate and consulting a dietitian.  I have been advised to eat 6 smaller meals a day.  I am trying to watch what I eat in the way if dairy products, gluten, sugar, etc.  you might look up the FODMAP diet fir one.  
Hope you can get some answers!

[Ninascat]

Try to limit  gluten in your diet.  Do a research on food allergies.  I got better after I cut out all gluten out of my diet.  Good Luck.  Nina

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Possibilities that may need to be considered include GI infections/ inflammations, URT infection/ inflammation, GERD, low blood pressure, low blood pressure, neuro-muscular causes, growths/ masses, hormonal/ endocrine abnormalities, chest wall inflammation, causes related to the cardiovascular system/ respiratory tract etc. I would suggest considering a detailed evaluation by an internist initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist care may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.

Take  care!