[Beowulf9]

Get a consult with a cardiologist. Then make sure you get an echocardiogram and a carotid doppler.

[Cementjungle]

yes, and it’s pretty common. Acid can sometimes come back up from the stomach when the valve doesn’t close tightly (I forget what that valve is called).

9 times out of 10 it can be eliminated by losing a little weight. Otherwise, take something like Protonix to cut down on the acid.

[Sarah Barracuda]

I suffer from GERD, so does my Mom..it all depends on the person. With me, its not severe, I take Zantac. When I eat something that gives me acid, I will have pain in my upper stomach and I sometimes the pain will spread to the back. Other times I won’t have pain in the upper stomach, just when I go lie down(Yeah I have a tendency to do that after I eat, I know, not a good idea)it will come up acid and I will have to go take a Zantac. My Mom had a more severe case of GERD, she had a sore in her stomach had to take Protonic, now takes Zantac just like me, had pain go from the upper stomach to the back, horrible pain..had to stop eating anything with acid for months. I guess the bottom line is, it all depends on the person, but your symptoms can be related to GERD, you think its chest pain but its really not. It confuses people to think they are having a heart attack when the issue is really in the stomach

[Frantzie]

This often common in women when they reach menopause. You may need to change your diet like all the good stuff tomatoes, etc.

http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Great-Herbs-For-Acid-Reflux&id=481994

http://www.ehow.com/how_2289940_use-ginger-treat-acid-reflux.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1R2ADFA_enUS343&q=ginger+acid+reflux&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

I have heard ginger is good for it. You can try natural ginger or try Swanson’s Vitamins on the net. You can get a bottle of 100 Ginger pills for $2.39.

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SW535/ItemDetail?SourceCode=INTN042

[USNBandit]

I knew a guy that had that. He said when he had the first attack he thought it was a heart attack. They had to go down and tighten the valve at the top of his stomach surgically.

No waiver required for military flying so you should be good to go on the civilian side. Don't know how long his recovery to flying status was. My aunt just had the same thing done and went home the same day.

[IrishCatholic]

Years ago I started having bad pains. I went in and got scoped. I started to have scarring on my esophogus. The valve at the top of my stomach doesn’t seal and at night the acid would burn above the seal. Meds never helped but what did help was making sure my head was elevated at night. Got that advice from the nurse, not the doctor.

Try this: buy a foam pad for your bed (cheap or expensive, doesn’t matter) and put a second flat pillow on your regular pillow. The flat pillow elevates your head just a bit along with your body sinking a bit in the pad to keep the stomach acid in your stomach.
No pills, no antacids, eat whatever I like, and never had a problem again. If you are having pains you already might have a bit of damage. I recomend getting scoped to be sure, it is outpatient treatment. If you have no irritation at all, then go to another doctor. More than likely the first doctor missed something then.

Good luck and I hope you feel better.

[Huntress]

I’ve had severe GERD for over ten years and I rarely if ever have had the kind of pain you describe. But I wonder is there some damage to your esophagus that might be causing your pain. Have you been evaluated by a gastroenterologist? If you already have to take one Prevacid a day, you probably should be.

[Huntress]

I've had severe GERD for over ten years and I rarely if ever have had the kind of pain you describe. But I wonder is there some damage to your esophagus that might be causing your pain. Have you been evaluated by a gastroenterologist? If you already have to take one Prevacid a day, you probably should be.

[ArmyTeach]

Agree with Beowulf9. When in doubt, with symptoms like these, see a cardiologist. Then a good gastroenterologist :-) Symptoms can be tricky.

[aynrandfreak]

I think I may have what you have. I have come to call it "heart attack-paranoia". I take aspirin (everyone says to take the baby stuff, but I feel better taking one 325mg), and that seems to calm me down.

I've been to the hospital, had an EKG, stress test, etc, and the last doctor thinks it may be muscular pain. I think you should have those tests just to help rule anything out. I think it may be related to back pain as well. I know it sucks, but you're not the only one who has it, and you're very likely going to be fine. Exercise seems to help as well! I've had this for almost 10 years now.

[Mr. Jeeves]

I had this. No drugs needed. Cut your carb consumption - especially eliminate wheat bread and pasta (not the advice ADM likes to hear given) - and it will vanish very quickly.

[prisoner6]

I just spent several days in the hospital and was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus. Because I have a rather severe case the synptoms were almost identical to heart attack.

It was on Memorial day and my wife and youngest son were convinced I was having a heart attack.

VERY painful! Severe chest pain (the Barrett's esophagus has caused the area around my heart to become inflamed), Pain in left arm, trouble breathing etcetera.

I should be OK but have to keep a close watch on it and eventually will probably have to be on meds or possibly have an operation.

Here's more info.

Barrett’s esophagus

More here

Hope this helps.

prisoner6

[Miztiki]

I had GERD that was due to a brain tumor (that part of my brain controlled that part of my body), so my GERD might not have been the same as other peoples. But I didn’t experience the same symptoms you described.

You may want to get a 2nd opinion. Pain in the arms doesn’t sound like GERD to me.

[ConservativeMind]

Get an H. Pylori stool test done. Read up on it.

[Beowulf9]

and a stress test. Don’t let them tell you the ekg is normal and your cardiac enzymes are negative, you could have a blocked artery and it won’t show up on either.

[Pining_4_TX]

The other possibility is that you have damaged the cartilage in your sternum. If it hurts when you press right on the middle of your chest, that could be at least part of your problem. Did you stretch or “scrunch” your chest in any way?

Hope you feel better!

[Kirkwood]

Sure sounds like classic GERD, especially since you have a history of it. It gets worse if you don’t address the root cause by a lifestyle change. Taking medications is just covering up the root problems such as being overweight, overeating, eating before bedtime, eating foods that aren’t easily digested, etc. Having a long history of it GERD may mean you have some damage such as a hiatial hernia or scarring of the esophagus.

[My Favorite Headache]

I have it...but also had the same thing you said as well and had a pulmonary embolism.

That pain is also identical to gall stones. Get your gall bladder checked out if Nexium and Zantac together every day don’t help.

[shoe212]

I used to have GERD (that’s the proper term to use for Google searches) but by doing what follows, it went away.
Here’s my list:
Raise the head of the bed 6-8 inches by putting books or boards under the headboard legs.
Got a memory foam mattress topper—I no longer toss and turn which tosses the acid around.
Sleep on left side.
No food 4-6 hours before bed.
I also took chewable enzyme (super papaya) tablets to help digest fatty meals.
==
To relieve the burn, I found DGL (short for Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) at the health food store—very soothing.
Another soother is Ginger root juice. Google that and GERD to get the dosage.

[gunsequalfreedom]

One possible explanation is too much time in the computer in a bad seating position. Worst pain I ever had. Went straight to the doctor for all the tests then found out it was from sitting at computer too much.

Or, too much coffee. That will make you want an EKG also.