Chest pain, underarm, shoulder pain - acidity ... - IBS Network

IBS Network

47,601 members15,610 posts

Chest pain, underarm, shoulder pain - acidity or gas ?

That_mountain_girl profile image

I am having on and off chest pain, underarm pain, sometimes shoulder and back shoulderblade pain. Sometimes I can spot the pain- other times it’s just the area. Could it be gas ?

Also started to feel lower back - burning sensation.

Haven’t had any pain in middle of chest or stomach. Could this still be acid- reflux. I do feel soar throat sometimes.

I think it all is flared up post my VitaminD deficiency.

Has anyone else suffered from similar symptoms and know what’s going on?

I have tried talking to docs but they say it isn’t serious but I don’t feel that way.

Omeprazole didn’t go well with me so right now I am without any medication. Occasionally take gaviscon.

Written by
That_mountain_girl profile image
That_mountain_girl
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
23 Replies
SandraJane1950 profile image
SandraJane1950

Hi I was on omeprazole and my doctor decided to increase the dosage as he was certain it was Acid Reflux. When things got worse with burning pain in between breasts and sweating and feeling sick and so ill I actually phoned 999 thought it was a heart attack. I was given all clear had blood test nothing showed up. Since then I went back to doctor who has now decided IBS taken me off Omeprazole and given me buscopen instead. Still feel bad still getting pains gas and wind feeling sick and last few days like something stuck in my throat keep swallowing but doesn’t do anything. Hopefully once the Omeprazole gets out my system things might improve. Still not sure it’s IBS. Also huge amount of stress at the moment which I know can effect your stomach. Been trying to element foods keeping diary but slow process just want answers like you. Hope things improve soon

Angel25 profile image
Angel25 in reply to SandraJane1950

Call again. Better safe than sorry.

That_mountain_girl profile image
That_mountain_girl in reply to SandraJane1950

Thanks for replying. Is this 999 incidence recent? Good to know you got all clear. Better be gut related than heart. I sometimes feel like rushing to hospital and get myself checked.

My blood tests came fine too. I was on omeprazole for a week and it took a week to get it out of my system. Rebounds are horrible but stick in there they go away completely or atleast for me they did.

It amazes me how there are solutions for acid reflux but for gas pain there seem to be nothing much. I tried wind-eze for gas but doesn’t help me with pain. Got bisodol From morissons pharmacy which is both acidity and gas and it does help a little but has lot of calcium in it so I avoid.

Hope you feel better and your diary helps. I am keeping diary too

Glossyrossy profile image
Glossyrossy in reply to SandraJane1950

Hi Sandra Jane....my goodness it is reassuring to hear of same symptoms than me. I have had an awful time in the past few weeks. Initially HUGE cramping in stomach with HUGE bloating...so painful I was passing out. Went to A&E reluctantly and tests came back with just a small marker for inflammation. Ended up three times to A&E. After not having eaten for one week or even two, I got all the symptoms of acid reflux and damage to oesophagus. I spoke to my Doc over the phone and he was very reassuring but put me finally( after a few trials of other med) on omeprazole whish I must say is easing symptoms.( Day 6 of 14 day treatment) Nevertheless I still have a lot stuck in the throat which I understand it to be mucous that is lining the oesophagus to protect it.. I have loads of chest pain in all areas. Perhaps this is the reaction of inflammation. I also have incredible fatigue, which is nearly debilitating. I am 100% certain that a lot is stress related and trying to work on that! Finally off serious painkillers (Co-Codamol) Last night I slept at last. Still stuff in throat though but persevering. I was incredibly fit before all this, an athlete etc. etc. Perhaps we are all reacting to the Covid threat and it is our anxiety that has bought this on. You will find a path, but omeprazole needs time to work and if it is NEXIUM from chemist it does not fully eliminate acid but reduces it. Patience might be the key. Hope you feel better soon. Its horrible and I really understand.

Siggy45 profile image
Siggy45 in reply to SandraJane1950

Hi! I hope you get relief soon. I have stopped all the stomach meds. I have gone on a diet. No gluten, no grains, no nightshades and low carbs. I don't eat past 6pm and in morning I drink a capfull of apple cider vinegar with an 8oz glass of water between 6am to 10am . I then heat up bone broth and drink like a cup of tea between 10am to 12am and then I will eat small like berries and 2 pieces of bacon or coconut flake cereal with raisins and almond milk. I do this because I am fasting. Then a dinner with chicken or red meat with coliflower or sweetpotato before 6pm. Look up AIP diet. My stomach has improved so very much! I highly can't stress to everyone that this works. Try to keep eggs out of your diet and grains and gluten for atleast 3 months. Also NO DAIRY! Your inflammatory response will greatly improve GLUTEN takes up to 6 months to get out of your system once u eat it. Feel better everyone.

Mishka123 profile image
Mishka123 in reply to SandraJane1950

Try the low FODMAP diet

Deniseki profile image
Deniseki

Hi. Sorry to hear how much you are struggling. If it's any help I too am getting similar symptoms. Pain around right shoulder and back, sore throat. Also burning in chest and sometimes difficulty swallowing and lower back pain with wind. Wondering if stress of current situation is the cause. I'm just on buscopan and gaviscon at moment.

That_mountain_girl profile image
That_mountain_girl in reply to Deniseki

Thanks for replying. It is really worrying.

Are you good with your vitamin D ? After reading a bit I feel there is link between gas and extreme deficiency of vitamin D for few.

Deniseki profile image
Deniseki in reply to That_mountain_girl

Wasnt aware of a vit D deficiency but not has blood test for a while. Might mention it to GP but not wanting to bother them at mo. Agree it's hard to pin symptoms down to anything in diet though I have been eating more rubbish since lockdown. Does anyone else also have problems with urinary urgency? Going to loo loads and sometimes dont make it in time. Putting that down to bloating and wind too. Hope everyones symptoms improve soon. Good to talk to others with similar problems.

Shops profile image
Shops in reply to Deniseki

I have been having the same back and for the toilet I’m also suffering terrible trapped wind don’t feel like eating which is probably making it worse

marthaalice profile image
marthaalice

Call your GP again. This should be investigated. I was suffering similar pains and my GP organised a chest X Ray. Mine seems to have cleared up and my x ray was clear. I think I had Costochondritis bought on by Anxiety but if it comes back I will ring my GP again. This was only 2 weeks ago. Your GP shouldn’t just ignore your because it’s not Covid.

That_mountain_girl profile image
That_mountain_girl in reply to marthaalice

Thanks for your reply. How old are you ?

I am 35 and they say I am young and healthy and and blood reports have nothing to be worried about. I am not sure what to ask for. Coz I have multiple things going on and I feel x ray won’t be so easy to get for me.

I have realised whichever side I sleep on, morning I am waking up with burning feeling in that side - like blood has been stopped or weak bones. If it’s weak bone it won’t show in x Ray.

marthaalice profile image
marthaalice in reply to That_mountain_girl

Makes my blood boil when GP’s fob you off because of your age. I am sure it is nothing serious but you should just explain to your gp how much distress it is causing you and you would like it investigated so it can be treated. If you don’t get any joy, complain to the practise manager. I am 53 but that shouldn’t matter. Just be persistent. I say all this because I went backwards and forwards for 2 years with a lump in my tummy, I could feel it, for 2 years I was told it was nothing, ibs, constipation, etc. Eventually after my persistence they sent me for a scan. I had an ovarian cyst the size of a rugby ball and had to have a total hysterectomy, had they found it earlier it would have just been keyhole surgery. If you feel something is not right be persistent until they find out what it is.

That_mountain_girl profile image
That_mountain_girl in reply to marthaalice

Thank you. Are you taking anything for chostochondritis ?

I feel to some extent mine is also stress induced. I feel so fragile to move my upper body.

xjrs profile image
xjrs

Have you taken a look at the FODMAP diet? FODMAPs are carbohydrates found in some fruits and vegetables - there may be specific ones that are causing you problems- they enter your colon undigested, bacteria feed off them and create gas as a by product. This gas can build up pressure in your system and weaken the valve that sits between your stomach and your throat allowing stomach contents and acid to flow back. This is normally under the guidance of a nutritionist via GP referral - this may not be possible at the moment so you can read about it online. If you download the Monash University FODMAP app it will tell you which foods contain FODMAPs and in what quantities.You eliminate all FODMAPs for 2 weeks which should help to alleviate symptoms and then introduce them in small amounts one by one for 3 days and then wait up to 4 days for symptoms. I go much slower than this - only introducing a small amount of the same food for 3 days and then increase if tolerable or no symptoms and cut back to the previous amount if symptoms for longer and then increase again. I've read your microbiome can adapt to handling a new food if introduced very slowly.

I have been on Alflorex probiotic (scientifically studied for IBS and available on a free 2 month trial on joining theibsnetwork.org) and my stomach is more settled and I am able to tolerate more foods - you could give this a go prior to doing an elimination diet. If you have a bit of overgrowth of bad bugs in your gut (we all have good and bad bacteria - the good should have the upper hand), these can feed off FODMAPs and give symptoms such as pain. Probiotics like Alflorex can bring things back in balance. I have heard Symprove works for some people too.

You may not need to eliminate foods if your gut microbiome gets sorted.

You can also raise the head of your bed by 20cm using sturdy plastic bed risers found on the internet or a bed wedge pillow to keep the contents of your stomach there overnight (though in time the pillow put pressure on my hips).

You may also want to try a different PPI to Omeprazole. The only PPI I could get on with was esomeprazole (Nexium). You don't normally get offered this straight away by a GP since it is expensive, but this worked for me and I tolerated it better. I took this for no more than 6 months at a time to help heal my throat - this was before I found the FODMAP diet, which almost eliminated the GERD with the odd bout when stressed. Possibly you've had IBS all along - a bit of malabsorption of foods creating gases which has then resulted in GERD. However, it probably isn't a good idea to be on PPIs long term.

There are some theories that GERD is due to low stomach acid. My gastroenterlogist refuted this. I have tried Betaine HCL and apple cider vinegar separately to compensate but these just made my pain worse. It can be done as a test to see how you get on but maybe not pin your hopes on it.

If I am desperate having pain from gas problems I use 2 x Rennie Deflatine. You could also try enteric coated peppermint.

Stress is a factor. I've read scientific papers that say that stress doesn't increase the amount of acid in the stomach, but makes the nerve endings in your throat more sensitive to a normal level of acid and cause pain. This type of pain also exists with IBS - where the brain erroneously picks up normal activity of the bowel as pain. This is where nerve pain agents come in.

That_mountain_girl profile image
That_mountain_girl in reply to xjrs

Thank you so much . Will look into it.

Have eliminated potatoes for sure as they give me immediate gas pain.

I have been stressed for over a month now due to all health related issues and my chest pain followed that.

OldTimer74 profile image
OldTimer74

I have always taken Zantac but it is not available right now, I have tried Omeprazole but they just made me run to the loo, the latest the doctor has put me on is Esomeprazole, they made me feel a bit dodgy at first but I cut them in halve and they seem to be a lot better. Funny you should talk about various pains around your upper half, I had something similar recently , I have had two heart attacks and know what they feel like and these pains were different. My wife has also been suffering pains. We think that the vast amount of rapeseed in the fields where we live maybe causing it, we also get a feeling in our throats. Rapeseed is not like normal plants and the pollen blows around in the wind and can cause problems ( we live in the countryside) There are so many things that we can get as we grow old that half the time I think that the doctors ( as good as they are) don`t really know what causes some of the things we experience. Hope you feel better soon.

Mishka123 profile image
Mishka123

I have IBS-C and SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth). I get terrible back pain, especially in the left shoulder blade area like you described . It is most likely gas related. Conventional doctors never seem to take digestive issues seriously in my experience. I got to a naturopath. Try looking online and see if you're experiencing the symptoms of SIBO. Bloating, stomach distension, gas, constipation or diarrhea and abdominal pain. I'm currently taking an herbal medicine called Biocidin that is really helping. Also, anyone with IBS type symptoms should switch to the low FODMAP diet. Good luck.

Alysm profile image
Alysm in reply to Mishka123

Hi I have had all the same symptoms too and have SIBO and constipation. Can I ask where you purchase Biocidin, which brand and dosage please. Also capsules or liquid? Sorry for all the questions but I am very interested as have tried so many other supplements etc and they have not worked. Thank you

Mishka123 profile image
Mishka123 in reply to Alysm

No worries. I don't mind answering your questions if I can help. I got my Biocidin capsules online. This is the Biocidin website:

biocidin.com/

I'm not sure where you live so maybe you have to Google which website to buy them from that suits you. I live in Canada and I had to search a bit online for an online store that would sell to Canada.

I take 3 capsules a day on an empty stomach or with a light snack as it says on the bottle.

Alysm profile image
Alysm in reply to Mishka123

Thank you very much. I live in the UK

Leemccluskey profile image
Leemccluskey

I was put on omeprazole and sent for echo cardiagram I was only on omeprazole for a week and when I went to the hospital for my exho cardiagram stress test I was given an ecg. The nurse called the doctor in and he listened to my heart and told me I wasnt a candidate for the stress echo because I had a definite heart murmur. Those were his exact words a definite heart murmur.

I was so worried I called my doctors and said I need see a doctor and was on my way in. Doctor couldnt hear a murmur but said it's best to wait and see the cardiologist 3 weeks later. I went home and was nearly passing out. So dizzy and nearly losing consciousness so I then looked at side effects of omeprazole and there was many of my symptoms. I called the doctor and she told to stop them and was put on ranitidine. It took two weeks for the side effects to disappear from the omeprazole and when I went to see the cardiologist he had them do a heart scan and ecg which all came up normal. So omeprazole caused temporary problems with my heart. It also caused the start of IBS. This was a few years back.

I then had a heart attack and was put on lansoprazole as the heart hospital said they didnt use omeprazole or esomeprazole they can interact with heart meds.

I then started getting bloating chest pain tummy pain back pain and pain in arms and legs. After going to A&E 16 times by ambulance they kept saying it was anxiety ibs or gastric.

I am now in a terrible state with pain in both sides of chest and arms back and tummy.

Ppis such as omeprazole definitely made me worse and may of been the cause.

Try gut directed hypnotherapy it worked for me in the past and going to give it another try.

Lastly I dont want to sound nasty but could you of had or have the covid 19 virus. I believe I've had it as I had a terrible cough over 10 weeks ago.

I have heard of some victims of covid 19 who had very few symptoms with plenty saying they just had gastric problems. Even Simon Gregson the actor who plays Steve McDonald in coronation street had the virus and said he felt really ill but he only had gastric symptoms.

I have also heard of people who have recovered from the virus but keep getting terrible waves of painful side effects like chest stomach shoulder pains.

You may of had this virus with little or no symptoms . Only an antibody test could now tell you and I think antibody tests may take a long time coming

That_mountain_girl profile image
That_mountain_girl in reply to Leemccluskey

Oh yes, I had 12 days of mild Covid like symptoms in Early March with no cough but shivering and temperature and little congestion with mild headache. Even docs said it could be Covid 19. We won’t know.

It’s now - in end of April or May starting that I have started these gastric issues or chest pain and acid burns even in arms. Strange.

I definitely had vitamin D deficiency like symptoms post virus and I guess it went really bad and am taking supplements for that.

Omeprazole definitely didn’t work for me as well. I was on it for a week too and it caused me great grief. I am now trying to go off all medicines except vitamin D and follow my general diet which always have worked for me in terms of electrolyte balance as well.

Thanks for responding. Really appreciate your time

You may also like...

IBS with chest pain & pain under left shoulder blade?

getting the pain, worse than ever! As well as the abdominal pains I am getting constant pain...

Chest and back/shoulder pain

Xifaxan, but lately stomach hurt, shoulder blade pain and chest burning. This all goes away when I...

Trapped gas pain or something else?

uneasy feeling near my stomach as well as back and i also passed gas a couple of times. What could...

Gas pain

have been experiencing gas cramps and lower back pain. I get sharp gas pains, so annoying. Has...

Chest pains associated with IBS?

in a sweat, the chest pains started, which set off my anxiety...sometimes I really feel like my...