Undiagnosed chest symptoms

[ajay_iitr]

I am 26 year old male. Perfectly healthy, doing regular exercises, non smoker, non alcoholic. I am suffering from very peculiar type of syptoms for last 05 years which has not been diagnosed. My syptoms are as following-

1. Chest (left side) heavyness, tightness, feeble burning sensation and  mostly general discomfort ( with no pain as such)
2. A permanenet feeling of stretchness in my left hand ( tend to close)

3. Occassional anxiety symptoms.

These symptoms are pesistatnt for about 05 years now. It started with a dizziness and mild increase in blood pressure, 05 years ago. My B.P. is sometimes on highier side ( around 145/100). But symptoms persist even with normal B.P. under medication. Presently I am taking 10 mg nebivolol for B.P. I am also suffering from Avascular necrosis of left femoral head but doctors say there is no relation to this.

I have udergone following diagnostic tests -

1. Chest X-Rays almost every year in early 04 years.
2. Echo, ECG, Stress test (TMT), engiography
3. All Blood, cholestrol, urin tests
All the tests are normal. Some doctors say it is a musculor problem, some say its just anxienty and mild hypertension which is causing this, some say it could be related to minor spondalytis changes. But no one is quite sure what it is exactly. Most of the doctors say forget it as there is nothing life threatening.

But I am quite worried about my condition. And worry become severe when symptoms are intense. Due to this I am not able to concentrate on my studies ( Preparing for competitive exams) neither I am able to live normal life. I am always thinking about it and worried.

If there is somebody who can help, guide or suggest me something about my condition. I will be highly thankful.

[ajay_iitr]

Thank you very much for your kind response. This is for the first time that someone has told me that this could be GERD. I am already on vrey strict diet control like no oily/fried food, no coffee, tea twice a day, very less salt diet, no alcohol, no cold drinks. I general go to bed after two hours of food. Anyway, I have noted down your suggestions and will follow them. Hope they will work.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
There is a possibility that you have acidity or heart burn. The other reason could be due to esophageal reflux (GERD), where the food in your stomach is thrown up into your food pipe or esophagus. Another possibility is hiatal hernia, where a portion of stomach herniates into the chest cavity through the diaphragm. All these can cause a discomfort in the chest area, burning, heaviness etc. Irritation of the left diaphragm can cause that stretchy feel in your left arm.
Treatment is a combination of drugs and lifestyle changes.
Omeprazole is a good drug to combat this. Along with it you can try over the counter antacids. However I would recommend you see a doctor and take medication under a doctor’s supervision. Avoid heavy meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Go to bed at least 2 hours after food.
Try these tips. If they help you, then you know you have one of these problems. You can further consult a gastroenterologist.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[murpit]

Hi AJ,

I too have been experiencing similar syptoms which you described. I posted in another section about it as well:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Undiagnosed-Symptoms/Undiagnosed-chest-pain--tingling--many-symptoms-/show/990171

Read this one as there are other people experiencing this demon. I hope it at least will give you some reassurance that this thing isnt all in your head or whatever.

I complletly understand your situation so rest assured you are not alone with your fears and concerns. If there is anything I can do to help feel free to ask.