Pressure / Burning Upper Chest

[Indie5678]

Hi,

I’ve been diagnosed with IBS in October.

As the same time I mentioned to my consultant that I have pressure / burning sensation in my upper chest behind left breast bone.

He said it’s probably just reflex from my IBS.

I have this feeling in my chest every day on and off throughout the day and night.

I’ve spoken to my GP who said to go to A&E. I did this and they did an ECG on heart, chest X ray and blood tests which came back normal. Again they said just probably to do with my IBS.

Any help or advice as I’m concerned and not sure this is just related to IBS?

I didn’t have this before and came on around September / October.

Thanks,

[Luisa22]

It sounds like you were pretty well checked out when you went to A&E in case it could be something "worse" than IBS. It's good that the tests you had found everything to be normal.

It does sound a lot like acid reflux, but it's a pity everyone is just dismissing you and saying it's probably only something to do with your IBS, then sending you away! And no solution.

I had a period with reflux about 3-4 years ago but it went away and didn't come back since, fingers crossed. I took some things which probably helped it:

Deglycyrrizinated (DGL) licorice powder(I KNOW I haven't spelled that right but I'm too lazy to google it 😀 I also made some herbal bitters and had a small wineglass of that three times a day, and had a calcium citrate chewable tablet each day. I elevated the head of my bed about 8-10 inches and slept like that for a few weeks. I also did some breathing exercises.

It all must have helped because the reflux suddenly disappeared. I didn't think it would work because I went for a while with no difference in my symptoms though.

But definitely go back to your doctor if it gets worse or doesn't go away. He'll most likely give you a PPI drug which will almost certainly help the acid reflux if it is that.

I wanted to avoid PPIs, and that's why I tried my own methods.

Another thing is -I don't know if you have IBS C or D. Reflux can often happen with slow motility, as the whole digestive flow is a bit stopped up and the stomach isn't emptying as it normally would. So anything that helps motility further down may help the stomach too.

[Indie5678 in reply to Luisa22]

Thanks for the replay. I have IBS C. I’ll look into the things you mentioned.

[Luisa22 in reply to Indie5678]

I meant to add, just be a bit careful if you decided to try calcium citrate tablets. They are good for helping to "tighten" the lower oesophageal sphincter, where the muscle sits like a ring shape at the entrance to the stomach.

But they do contain quite a high dose of calcium, so it's wise to work out how much calcium you are getting each day to not go too far over the recommended daily intake.

If you needed to know quickly, I have a notebook where I wrote the calcium levels of quite a few different foods (though not all of course. Just what I was eating.)

The citrate variety is the one recommended for lower oesophageal sphincter weakness.

[Bracondale in reply to Luisa22]

Great suggestions Luisa. I've found DGL very helpful at times too. And bitters certainly help motility. Agree with you re PPIs...they're often the opposite of what is (counterintuitively) needed, which is more stomach acid! Stomach acid is needed to prompt the opening of the stomach outlet. If this doesn't happen the stomach contents are just squished around and can end up being refluxed up through the upper opening causing burning symptoms in the oesophagus. As a trial it may be worth trying some apple cider vinegar or lemon juice in water to increase acid and help the stomach to empty properly. Stomach acid can be lowered at times of stress so symptoms may come and go.

[Luisa22 in reply to Bracondale]

Pure DGL powder is quite expensive though, I remember paying over £40 for the container I bought. DGL is around in other products, but usually with some kinds of additives. I just wanted the pure licorice powder,

Why do we always have to pay MORE for some product with nothing added (where you literally get a product with fewer ingredients.) ? 🙄

A good at-home way of checking if you have LOW stomach acid is to eat some food which is pure protein and nothing much else. Something like lean meat or fish, or eggs on their own. Not just a tiny bit but a small meal consisting of those, and chew it well and eat slowly. Then see if that causes indigestion a bit later. If so, stomach acid is low.

[Mutleyforever in reply to Bracondale]

Also ageing is a factor in lower acid production, and the stomach needs to be very acidic to ensure the lower oesophageal sphincter is activated to close to eliminate reflux 👍

[Raneena]

Hi

Try to eat small meals instead of 3 meals do it 5 times aday and take Gaviscon , dr usually prescribes omeprazole .

Good luck and get well soon.

[Edgar77]

I used to get similar symptoms. They put a camera down my throat (forgot what they call this procedure) I have a small hiatus hernia. They put me on PPI a low dose. I also raised my bed. Head end about 6 inches. Don't get it so often now. Also a long shot but it is possible to get arthritis in the breast bone.

[gussmithy]

It could be a hiatus hernia. I recommend you see a gastroenterologist who might do a gastroscopy to see exactly what's happening.

[Crawdad]

Hi

You may find you have a small hiatus hernia. This would be diagnosed with an upper endoscopy. It sounds like the symptoms I have and Lansoprazole, a PPI medication, helps me with my symptoms. The things is that when your have gut problems ( and I have lots of tummy issues) you do get referred symptoms. This in turn puts pressure on your oesophagus and it will give you that feeling of pressure.

I’d discuss a bit further with your GP. It’s all manageable, but all these tummy issues are so difficult, depressing and cause a lot of worry.

I hope you get sorted.

[xjrs]

You may find this information helpful:

ibsresearcher.com/acid-reflux/

[Luisa22 in reply to xjrs]

@xjrs This website is well researched and absolutely brilliant!

[xjrs in reply to Luisa22]

Thanks very much Luisa22 . Nice to know 😊.

[JulieB5200]

Hi, I have pretty much the same symptoms which come and go. I have suffered with ibs for 30 years but this past few years I also get issues further up my digestive system too. I suffer with very slow transit and constipation which can cause indigestion and reflux. Most days I’m uncomfortable and some days it causes a lot of pain. I get the pressure feeling like everything inside is pushing up. I get an awful burning all across my chest. I get an awful pain under my left ribs and pain after eating and having to go to the loo! So you’re not alone 😊. I’ve had 3 endoscopy’s and colonoscopy which have been fine. So I get through each day the best I can and carry around rennies and gaviscon.The ppi’s for me do relieve the upper digestive issues but make me even more constipated so I try not to take these very often. Hope this helps you feel better.x

[Mutleyforever]

Have you tried lemon water, it is very easy to take unlike apple cider vinegar. Just squeeze half a lemon, into a glass of water, and drink anytime, it can be very helpful.

[Indie5678 in reply to Mutleyforever]

Thanks will try this

[Luisa22 in reply to Mutleyforever]

Be careful of teeth! This can have a bad effect on tooth enamel, so best if you drink it to drink through a straw. And don't brush teeth after drinking it (weakens the enamel more.)

[Mutleyforever in reply to Luisa22]

You definitely need a straw to drink diluted apple cider vinegar not with lemon water, however you can if you want to 😊

[doris22]

I have reflux on and off. I had an endoscopy and it damaged my esophagus so I had to have ppi's to help it heal. I came off them slowly with the help of gaviscon ADVANCE! You might find like me I'm sensitive to certain foods mainly wheat and corn. I now eat Juvela bread which I buy on line in bulk and freeze. The only one I've found with no wheat or corn. Hope you get some help. It really is a very stressful and uncomfortable feeling. All the best.