Can this really all be Acid Reflux

  • Thread starter Thread starter androobe
  • Start date Start date
A

androobe

Guest
Hi
I've been suffering from what my doctor is assuming acid reflux for about a month now. It started off with the really bad nighttime heartburn for about a week but then went away for a while. It came back about 10 days ago and seems to have been getting worse since. The pain always starts as heartburn type pain as is worst at night, but now it spreaRAB through my chest and back and is there pretty much all the time, the pain also gets really bad just below my left shoulder at the front, a really strong aching pain. It does feel like I need to belch a lot, and when I do the pain relieves for a short time, also taking antaciRAB or drinking some things relieves the pain briefly. All the pain seems to get worse with exercise but my doctor has checked my pulse/listened to my heart and says I have a normal blood pressure. I also seem to get some cold sweats mainly at night or when exercising (just a 10 minute walk). I am trying to eat carefully and have cut out rich food, alcohol etc but things are getting worse not better. I also don't seem to get hungry anymore, but make myself eat anyway (and don't have trouble eating). My doctor put me on 20mg/day of Omeprazole which I've been on for a week now, but they don't seem to have helped yet. Has anyone else had these other symptoms or sweats, worse pain when exercising etc with Acid Reflux - I'm just really concerned that it is Reflux and then can try to start trying things out to relieve it as best as I can.
 
How old are you? If you are over 40 (or perhaps even younger, especially if overweight or a smoker), especially if a family hx of heart disease or diabetes, I'd be insisting my doctor do more than just listen to my heart.

The fact the pain comes on with exercise, and that you are having sweats, could be concerning.

As someone who suffers from both heart disease and GERD, I can testify that it can be difficult to tell the difference in the symptoms.

An EKG would not be sufficient to rule out heart disease; I had a normal EKG but had a 99% blockage.
 
If you really think it is reflux and want official confirmation, I would request to be tested for it. My reflux was confirmed through a 24 hr pH probe and a barium swallow. (I had the Modified Barium Swallow while I was on PPI's to see if they were working.) The pH testing is the main thing that confirms reflux. It isn't always evident in Endoscopy's. I know some people have their PCP refer these tests. I went to a Gastroenterologist to have them done.
 
Thanks for your replies...
I'm 33, don't smoke and am not really overweight (maybe very slightly), family history of high blood pressure but not heart disease as such as far as I'm aware.
Connie, you say an EKG wouldn't be enough to rule out heart disease - I know this might be obvious, but what it is you had done to test for blockage? I want to do to the doctor's knowing exactly what I'm saying and what I want to be done if at all possible... I'm pretty scared right now and just want to make sure I'm not fobbed off by the doctors again.
Thanks
Andrew
 
Back
Top