Scared and frustrated

[RubyWitch]

I am a 56 year old woman. I have a number of health issues, all being addressed with various specialists. Briefly I have high blood pressure which is controlled. I have "hypercholestremia" which means no matter how good my diet is, my body still produces way too much cholesterol, but that too is being controlled with meds. I have Psoriatic Arthritis which is controlled with Enbrel injections along with Methotrexate and Folic acid. I have sever Panic Disorder controlled with Xanax. I have migraines which I treat, at the time of onset, with Maxalt MLT. I am approximately 7 years post-menopausal and have never taken any HRT. I am a smoker who is about to quit as I just received some scary news from a cardiologist that one of the artieries in my heart is 50% blocked, but I feel confident that once I quit the smoking and begin to exercise again and lower my rather massive stress load, I can expect to be around for a good many more years. Here's the question: Many years ago I was diagnosed with a fairly mild case of GERD.........my doc didn't even put me on anything, just told me to watch what I ate and take some OTC meds. All of this kept the worst under control. Last year, after a wind storm, my husband and I were hauling some really huge branches out into the woods where we have a burn pile. While dragging one of these massive branches, I felt like I was getting some symptoms of GERD, but I just pushed through it, but then this feeling of burning appeared in my upper chest, right above each breast. I dropped the branch and just stood there, wondering if this was the start of a heart attack, and within seconds, all symptoms totally disappeared! During this "attack" I had no other symptoms. No shortness of breath, no rapid heart rate, no dizziness or nausea.......nothing. Just the burning sensation. Upon standing totally upright and resting for a few seconds, I began to pull the branch again. The sensation did not return. A few weeks later I was out raking leaves and the same strange sensation came back and was again immediately releived by simply standing upright and resting for a few seconds. The only time I felt this was when I was doing some sort of physical work that seemed to require I bend over a little, like stacking firewood or even sweeping the kitchen floor. (I REALLY get into it) This NEVER happened when I was at rest. After a few months, it really began to concern me, so I went to my doc. She really had no idea but thought it was GERD related and sent me for an Endoscopy, which came back clean as a whistle. The gatroenterologist thought it might be cardiac related, so off to the cardiologist I went who sent me for some rather nasty tests that costs a Kings Ransom! He did find the stenosis in my artery, so that was a good thing, scary, but good, as I believe it's better to know than not. I had a super CT done of my heart and lungs, also a Doppler of my carotids.........everything came back pretty clear aside from the "mild, diffuse stenosis." He then said that whatever this burning sensation I was having was NOT cardiac related! So I am back to square one after having seen many docs and many orifices probed and poked! OH..........the only other time I experience this sensation is sometimes at work (I'm a Certified Nursing Assistant in a large hospital) and my job can be massively stressful, with much bending and lifting and when I get really stressed out and angry, this feeling comes over me. I am feeling like an old truck that I just keep throwing parts at in hopes of figuring out what's wrong. I saw my regular doc and she is now thinking maybe I should see a Pulmanologist....(which I may very well have spelled wrong) and if he can't find anything.......then where do I go next? The corner VooDoo doc who will beat me with a dead chicken or something? Any thoughts or ideas very welcome, or if anybody out there has had these same symptoms, I'd appreciate hearing from you. I was put on prescription strength Protonix which did help my stomache some, but didn't begin to touch the burning thing. Help!!!!!
Greenlydia  

[Carol in PA]

If the burning is caused by stomach acid coming up into your esophagus, then taking a Tums antacid would help neutralize it.
Keep some handy in your purse or your pocket, and see if it helps.

Stacey is right, taking fish oil capsules may help you.
If you do a google search for fish oil, anxiety,  you will find info.
You need pharmaceutical quality fish oil, so that you don't get mercury.

Also, magnesium supplements may help with the migraines and the anxiety.

Wishing you the best,
Carol

[stacey555]

It does sound like your system is breaking down too many little things wrong to fix.  The more meds you take the worse you are going to feel.  this is just my opinion of course.  If you keep going to the doctor they will keep giving you more meds.  I dont know you but I would like to ask if you are someone who takes care of themselves.  I know you said you were going to quit smoking, I could never smoke even if I wanted to I dont have the system to allow it.  I also cant eat junk or sugar or get away without exercising .  I would fall apart.  the reason I am telling you this is because alot of the things you have going on soud like inflammation issues ,poor eating smoking,stress.  I would try the voodoo doctor that is what I had to do.  Not literally a voodoo guy but someone who will take a look at the whole picture and tell you how to get on track for a healthier life style.  You should be taking fish oil for one, that would help with the arthritis, and the cholestrol.  You probably have some food allergies which cause the gerd.  You have to bring your body into balance.  every med you take goes through your liver which just creates more problems.  Im no doctor Im not saying stop all your meds Im just saying they dont care about your body and wellbeing they just give meds to fix complaints.  Take your life into your own hands you are still young enough to change your life.  find a good DO or nnatural dr along with your regular dr  get off any meds you can by substituting healthy lifestyle and exercise think positive and be thankful.  Hopefully this will help you I will be waiting for your future posts on how your doing.  Look for a d.o. that carries metagenics products in you area. good luck