What doesGERD feel like

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
What doesGERD feel like
8
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 3:28pm
Hello all. I had an episode about two weeks ago where my back between my should blades started to hurt really badly in the middle of the night. I had also had some chest discomfort around the breastbone for a few weeks. Those two things couple together scared the pants off me and I went to my doctor's the next day. She did an EKG which read the same as 5 years ago. She thought it was GERD and started me on Prilosec. I feel a bit better but I still seem to have this discomfort in my breast bone at times or in my left breast (can't tell where it is actually). I have a stress echo test in ten days but in the mean time, i am depressed and scared. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Beth
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 3:55pm

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I am glad to hear that you've seen your doctor and ruled out heart issues. Any chest pain needs to be checked asap!


Some of your symptoms don't sound like GERD to me, here is a link to some info I found...


http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2006
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 9:56pm
I also have GERD and have had my gallbladder removed last year. Some of the symtons I had with the gallbladder I thought was acid reflux. I would get a pain in the middle of my breast bone -felt like a piercing pain and it usually settled between my shoulder blades. The aciphex would help with the pain. Since the removal of my gallbladder -I rarely have that type of pain.
The acid reflux symton I now have: sore throat; acidic taste in my mouth in the morning,,(horrible morning breath), coughing at night. Certain foods, spicy, (mexican,italian and cajun food) may feel like it is still in your throat.
I hope this helps.. good luck
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Sun, 12-03-2006 - 5:40pm
Hi! I had thought about the pain being gall bladder but i have no tenderness or soreness in my abdomen. Just the pain in the back, shoulder blade, and breast bone area.
Friday night I had a lot of pain. I felt it building about 2 hours after supper. I took Mylanta but it didn't help for long. Last night I had pain also after eating. I hadn't eaten all day but I had a small burger for supper. I felt the pain and ended up going to the store and buying Gaviscon. That really seemed to help.
Also, I have had trouble sleeping on my side occassionally. Is this a symptom of GERD?
Why would I suddenly be seeing these symptoms? A few weeks ago I could eat anything, even jalapenos, with no problem. Now I can't seem to eat anything right now.
Sorry for the many posts but I am worried and depressed. Everyone including my doctor says it isn't heart but...
Thanks.
Beth
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2006
Sun, 12-03-2006 - 8:47pm
I understand your pain, I am a gastric wreck. I have IBS/gastritis/gerd.. With my gallbladder issue, I never had abdominal tenderness. All the other symptoms. Everyone that has had a gallbladder removed told me their problems were cured. Not really, if you have the other issues like gerd.
I found a book: Gastointestinal Health by Steven R Peikin, MD. It has helped me understand the related issues and how to live with them.
The spicy foods are a major trigger of gerd.
Burgers, fried foods, spicy foods and tomato based foods are triggers of gerd. Try not to let it get you down. It's a new way of life. Let me know how it goes
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 1:07pm
Hello all. Thank you for all the replies. I broke down this morning and went to the ER. Guess what? They said I have GERD or some other digestive problem. The doctor said all the pain coming from my chest and back can really be caused by GERD. So that is two doctors and all of you telling me that is what it is. So I guess that is what it is.
I will being seeing a Gastro guy but I can't get in till January. Oh joy! I do see my family doctor this Wednesday so hopefully she will get me on something stronger. I have been on Prevacid before and had no problems so hopefully she will prescribe something. Prilosec ain't working. Nights are the worst.
Thank you all for the words of wisdom and concern.
Beth
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 2:10pm

Thanks for the update Beth. Hopefully your family doc can Rx something that will help until you see the gastro doc. Are you on a cancellation list...where you'd be called if someone cancels their appointment?


Keep us updated and try to enjoy the holidays...food isn't the only part that can be enjoyed.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
Wed, 12-06-2006 - 4:01pm
Hello again. Just got back from the doctors a little while ago and she put me on Aciphex and sulfacate (or something like that). Bad news is the insurance won't cover the Aciphex without previous approval. It is too expensive to pay for myself so I am in a waiting game for the insurance (and in a lot of pain).
I just want to sleep in my own bed for one night!
Thanks for listening.
Beth
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Fri, 12-08-2006 - 9:26am

Insurance companies are enough to give anyone an ulcer! I am so sorry that you cannot get the medication sooner. What kind of prior approval did they want, if you just got the Rx? Sheesh!!!

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