New Symptoms (Scared of Esophogeal Cancer)

[HelpMeJB]

So yesterday morning I woke up with crushing chest pain, pain I had never felt before. Right on sternum or very close.

Then as the day went on certain things started hurting more, like for instance swallowing solid food made my chest pain worse. I read only terrible things about my symptoms.

My wife (ER nurse) seems to think it is all anxiety related. I just really am scared right now.
Burping also causes pain, as does breathing deeply.

 

[bin_tenn]

Probably a musculoskeletal issue, or reflux. Do you have GERD, that you know of? I also experience these types of pains occasionally, due to GERD.

 

[HelpMeJB]

So I have never been diagnosed with GERD. However my wife stated that was what it might be. I had never felt this type of pain, I have had heartburn this felt worse. Though I did eat like 4 pieces of pizza and a bowl of cereal before bed.

Still hurts today, advil seems to calm it down. Tums had no effect.
Can GERD really cause all these pains. That would be crazy but also way easier on my anxiety

 

[Fraser]

So I have never been diagnosed with GERD. However my wife stated that was what it might be. I had never felt this type of pain, I have had heartburn this felt worse. Though I did eat like 4 pieces of pizza and a bowl of cereal before bed.

Still hurts today, advil seems to calm it down. Tums had no effect.
Can GERD really cause all these pains. That would be crazy but also way easier on my anxiety

As someone who has suffered from acid reflux before, the symptoms you are describing can 100% be caused by GERD. That this is paired with 4 pieces of pizza and a bowl of cereal before bed is also suggestive of GERD. The reasons Tums isn't calming it down is likely because you've already burned your esophagus, so neutralizing acid won't undo that (although this might help you heal faster). Give it three days and see how you feel. In the meantime, be attentive to what you are eating. Another good idea is to sleep in a slightly elevated position and/or sleeping on your left side for the reasons articulated here: https://badgut.org/information-centre/a-z-digestive-topics/heartburn-keeping-night/#:~:text=Due to gravity, the shape,bed by about six inches.

 

[bin_tenn]

Can GERD really cause all these pains

GERD can cause all sorts of crazy pains and other symptoms. When I have a severe flare up of GERD, I get chest/neck/shoulder/back pain, shortness of breath, chest tightness, runny nose and cough.

 

[Samurai]

So I have never been diagnosed with GERD. However my wife stated that was what it might be. I had never felt this type of pain, I have had heartburn this felt worse. Though I did eat like 4 pieces of pizza and a bowl of cereal before bed.

Still hurts today, advil seems to calm it down. Tums had no effect.
Can GERD really cause all these pains. That would be crazy but also way easier on my anxiety

Could be a hiatus hernia.

 

[HelpMeJB]

Wow, who would have thought that GERD could cause all of that. See here I am just thinking my heartburn was the only thing.

That said I can tell you today the chest pain is slightly diminished, and it isnt as bad the swallowing. I shall see how I feel tomorrow I guess.

Nice to know it doesn't have to always be cancer
Does anyone have a good source of foods to avoid. More than just the classic ones? Like I just ate a red pepper and I the difficulty swallowing welled up
Also has anyone felt it worse standing and better sitting down?

 

[bin_tenn]

Wow, who would have thought that GERD could cause all of that. See here I am just thinking my heartburn was the only thing.

That said I can tell you today the chest pain is slightly diminished, and it isnt as bad the swallowing. I shall see how I feel tomorrow I guess.

Nice to know it doesn't have to always be cancer
Does anyone have a good source of foods to avoid. More than just the classic ones? Like I just ate a red pepper and I the difficulty swallowing welled up
Also has anyone felt it worse standing and better sitting down?

My dad had untreated / undertreated reflux for a large portion of his adult life. He had it so bad that it "felt like a heart attack". I've had chest pains that bad before because of reflux as well. This is a relatively common complaint of GERD sufferers, it seems.

There is a list of common trigger foods, yes, *BUT* it really does vary from person to person. You just have to pay close attention to what you eat for a while, and determine what causes issues for you personally. I can often eat spicy food and not have any issues with reflux/heartburn, and sometimes something as simple as drinking water too quickly causes me to have reflux. I recently ate a breakfast item at a restaurant that had lots of jalapenos in it, and I was fine. It really does vary, so you'll have to do a lot of trial and error of your own.

 

[Fraser]

My dad had untreated / undertreated reflux for a large portion of his adult life. He had it so bad that it "felt like a heart attack". I've had chest pains that bad before because of reflux as well. This is a relatively common complaint of GERD sufferers, it seems.

There is a list of common trigger foods, yes, *BUT* it really does vary from person to person. You just have to pay close attention to what you eat for a while, and determine what causes issues for you personally. I can often eat spicy food and not have any issues with reflux/heartburn, and sometimes something as simple as drinking water too quickly causes me to have reflux. I recently ate a breakfast item at a restaurant that had lots of jalapenos in it, and I was fine. It really does vary, so you'll have to do a lot of trial and error of your own.

Yeah, it kind of depends on the "mood" of my stomach. I can often tell when I'm more or less likely to get it. I used to drink, and that could trigger it too, especially cheap, hard stuff.

 

[bin_tenn]

Yeah, it kind of depends on the "mood" of my stomach. I can often tell when I'm more or less likely to get it. I used to drink, and that could trigger it too, especially cheap, hard stuff.

Indeed. I'm a very light drinker, no more than once or twice a month. But knowing myself so well, I'll simply avoid alcohol altogether if I know I'll likely experience reflux from it.

 

[HelpMeJB]

Symptoms have persisted for another day...can I ask how long you have all dealt with a bad flare up for?

Has it lasted for longer than a day before?

 

[Fraser]

Symptoms have persisted for another day...can I ask how long you have all dealt with a bad flare up for?

Has it lasted for longer than a day before?

Yes, which is why I recommended giving it at least three days. I've had flare ups last a week, but that was also combined with fairly compulsive drinking. Even if all you are experiencing is an increase in your GERD symptoms, and it sounds like it is, it might be wise to talk to a doctor to take a look and get a prescription. That's a normal reaction to GERD symptoms that even a person without HA might do. Keep sipping on cool water and sleep in an inclined position!

 

[HelpMeJB]

Thanks, yeah I am definitley having less strong swallowing issues today. Also having a much better anxiety day also. So could also be the anxiety made it worse?

 

[bin_tenn]

Thanks, yeah I am definitley having less strong swallowing issues today. Also having a much better anxiety day also. So could also be the anxiety made it worse?

Anxiety certainly causes a wide range of symptoms, and it can exacerbate symptoms caused by GERD as well.

 

[HelpMeJB]

Yeah, gosh I mean today no chest pain (knock on wood) also no pain swallowing (knock on wood) however also extremley good spirits/very little anxiety or stress

 

[sTeaLth]

I had this exact scare about 6 months ago. I finally went to the doctor and they told me it was esophageal spasms from anxiety and possibly encouraged by Gerd. After that appointment it faded. I still get them sometimes if I don’t sleep well or am highly stressed. Proving the doctor’s correct. Anxiety does all kinds of stuff.