indigestion causing pain in middle of chest

[Whatjusthapened]

Hi all

Has anyone else experienced this?

It’s like a burning sensation on my breastbone. I’m not sure if it’s the medication or anxiety bringing it on.

Although it does intensify when I’m stressed or anxious.

[Tos92]

I’m a chronic sufferer of indigestion. I feel the pain and burning in my mid upper back, and centre of my chest, including under my breastbone. On days when it’s really bad, I feel it in my arms as well and acid reflux can also come up into my throat. Have you been prescribed a PPI? I take Gaviscon every night which provides temporary relief.

Like your triggers, mine gets worse with stress, lack of sleep, and anxiety. Certain foods also make it worse.

I find that a glass of cold milk helps settle it if I don’t have a PPI available at the time. If you’re not lactose intolerant, or have any issues with drinking milk, perhaps try that and see if it settles the chest pain and burning.

If you’re particularly concerned about the nature of the pain, and can’t determine if it is indigestion or angina, it is always safe to make an appointment with your GP or call 111.

I would suggest you also ask your GP to carry out some GI (gastrointestinal investigations) to rule out hernias, ulcers, and any other issues with your stomach and oesophagus which maybe causing your symptoms.

All the best.

Tos

[pasigal in reply to Tos92]

I am in this exact situation. My Gastro-enterologist says it is the daily aspirin, which is hard on the stomach. . He's checked for hernia, done colonoscopy, fibroscopy etc. It's really frustrating as the symptoms mimic cardiac crises! I've had the best results by cutting out coffee, spicy food and tomatoes, and doubling up on lanzoprazole (gaviscon) daily but sometimes it's just horrible. I am going to have a talk with my cardiologist (again) about any alternatives but she has not been particularly sympathetic. Plus I really want to be able to drink coffee again!

But definitely see a GI specialist. Mine has diagnosed acid reflux. There is also GERD, which is slightly different.

[Lowerfield_no_more in reply to pasigal]

If you are taking dispersible aspirin and that has been identified as causing you gastro problems then you should be seeking to change to gastro resistant alias coated aspirin. That's what I take. And I too have reflux disease, and by association Barratt's disease. But mine is kept under control by a PPI (was esomeprazole now lansoprazole), but importantly me identifying trigger foods which cause me problems. My suggestion to you, if you have not already done so, is to keep a food diary and then establish what causes flare -ups and then eliminate them from your diet. But if you do get a flare up revert to the blandest of diet to give your insides chance to calm down and heal, which may take as long as two weeks. And do try coffee again, but in moderation. I drink it but no more than two cups a day.

[Hidden]

Hi,

Try sipping hot water after each meal and no cold water between the meals.

You can also try Gaviscon for immediate relief and PPIs ( omeprozole 20 mg) 3 mins before breakfast

Good luck

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I was having terrible heartburn and acid reflux it woke me every night it was dreadful, I spoke to my cardiac consultant and she prescribed famotidine and increased my lansoprazole to 30mg twice a day. It was brilliant it worked immediately and I have not had any bother since. Char

[Silvertail]

Yes, I do. I have severe Gastroesophageal Reflux disease with a hiatal hernia. Have you been tested for this? With me, the pain can be a burning sensation, or stinging with regurgitation of food, and other times it feels like a hammer blow in my chest or very much like angina. A proton pump inhibitor should help, as well as Gaviscon or the like. Stress can bring it on, or spicy food, even bending over. There is good information on Healthdirect about it. I hope you find some help with it.

healthdirect.gov.au/gord-re...?

[Scroll]

Same started day after my heart attack, seems to be tied in for me with the Vagas nerve, don’t think that has been right since the cpr a year ago, still have muscular and ligament issues, but I take, 3 different gastric meds which after a year gives me 95% relief on a daily basis.

Can not however drink anything carbonated as that is like swallowing broken glass.