LymeNet Flash: pains inside chest

This is topic pains inside chest in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Probably not related to Lyme, maybe to H Pylori, or neither - but, has anyone suffered with pains (intermittent) in the center of chest, behind the center or ribs, that comes and goes?

It is pain that is stinging,pinching and scratching (almost like as if I was running a fork up or down my esophagus), and a feeling of pressure and spasms on and off, probably from esophagus? The pains also move around my chest to right or left of center and towards back.

I've been getting some stinging pains in esophagues over last few weeks, but now it is more 'full on' and more frequent, many times a day rather than maybe 2 times a day. It was hard to go to sleep last night as it felt like pressure in my chest and like my breathing was odd.

I am sure it is not heart related as I had 2 ECG's recently, which were normal.

I think I might need an endoscopy (I hope not though) and I'm on Ketek which I don't know if it's a problem when they need to use sedatives for that procedure. (interctions?) and also if the Ketek is contributing to this actual problem. Or if it's yeast?

Anyone experience this kind of thing with the pains/pressure?

DLL

Posted by Foggy (Member # 1584) on :

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/034150.html

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Thanks Foggy,

I should have mentioned that in my case I know it's not babs. (recently finished long-term babs treatment) and it definitely feels like I have ulcers or something in my esophagus from stomach to throat.

DLL

Posted by sapphire (Member # 4599) on :

hi, this sounds very much like esophogeal acid reflux disease
it especially happens to many on several medications. you might try prilosec OTC for a week or two or even taking a spoonful of apple cider vinegar and see if it helps relieve the symptoms

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

I am on Omeprazole 20mg once a day for the last 2 weeks (this is my second round, did 6 weeks in Jan/feb for milder symptoms then. It's obviously back in a MAGNIFIED way now.

I was wondering about GERD, but I do not have heartburn, only these pains and pressure. And, it does not hurt at all when I eat.

Are you aware, Sapphire, if you can have this without heartburn?

Apple cider vinegar, that is interesting. I could test that.

DLL

Posted by Lymerayja (Member # 6839) on :

In general DLL, it's always a good rule-of-thumb to seek medical attention urgently if you have chest pain, even if you've had recent ecg's that were normal. This is important even if you can't get to an llmd.

There are many possibilities - hiatus hernia is one - but I don't think you should ever ignore chest pain, even if you have to see a duck for now.

Good luck.
Lisa

Posted by dontlikeliver (Member # 4749) on :

Thanks Lisa,

If I thought there was any concern it was heart related, I would definitely go. I am sure it is not though.

DLL

Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :

DLL:
If you think this might be stomach acid washing up into your esophagus, why don't you try chewing a Tums? That will neutralize the hydrochloric acid that is burning the esophagus.
BTW, according to a study that I read, Tums that you chew actually works faster than the antacid that you drink.

I keep a tablet of Tums on my nightstand, where I can reach it quickly in case acid reflux wakes me at night.

Hope this helps.
Carol

Posted by TheCrimeOfLyme (Member # 4019) on :

You dont have to FEEL gerd, ( or any burning) to HAVE gerd.

I have had it plus a multitude of other stomach disorders for 11 years now.

My stomach NEVER bothered me.

Posted by sapphire (Member # 4599) on :

yes you dont haveto feel heaqrtburn in the stomach but the feeling of burning in the throat is almost definitely gastro-esphogeal reflux ( aka GERD )

the theory behind apple cider vinegar is that taking a teaspoon ( i mix it with some splenda to cover the sharp taste ) of it acts like homeopathic medicine , fooling the stomach acid producers to think that there is enough acid in the stomach so the production shuts down . Id actually recommend using both prilosec and the cider vinegar
the prilosec you can actually take twice a day and you dont have to stop after the 14 days , just keep taking it of its working

Posted by tvalentijn (Member # 5255) on :

Another explanation for chest pain - Lyme related.

I have had chest pain for the longest time. It would be mostly in the center but would also show up left and right. It was a short sharp pain, which started way before I was diagnosed with Lyme. It would be worse with excersize (even fast walking). When I was diagnosed (finally), my LLMD said the pain was caused by costo condritis. This is inflamation of the cartalidge in your chest.

By the way, I have been on abx for about 16 months now and the pain is muuuuuuuuuuch less. There are days I do not feel anything.

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

I may have an answer for you on Friday. I've been having the same symptoms for 3 weeks. I know it's esophagul, because hot beverages burn when it's acting up.

I see my LLMD Friday, and I'm getting a blood test tomorrow. I noticed that one of the things I'm being tested for was chlamydia pneumoniae. I'm not sure if it's a possible cause or if the nurse didn't believe me that it wasn't my lungs.

Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :

DLL,

My LLMD thinks my heartburn is actually viral. I was on a viral suppressant that I stopped taking, due to a prescription screw up. I also got a few mouth sores, which are often viral.

We'll see what happens when I go back on the anti-viral.

-A