Had IBS -D for many years. Recently tested positive for SIBO and given a course of Metronidazole. Horrible antibiotics but did seem to work. After 6 weeks the usual symptoms came back (chronic wind/pain/diarrhoea). GP prescribed another course of the same. While on them (they made me feel really poorly - never taking them again!) I had an incident of chest pain that sent me to A&E. Not a heart attack, thank goodness. Since then I've had almost constant chest pain and palpitations. Referred to Coronary clinic. Just had a phone appointment with the consultant who says all tests ok and it's probably linked to my gastro problems! GP has just suggested Lansoprazole but I don't have reflux. Sorry for long post, but has anyone else had left sided chest pain/palpitations from gastro problems? Thanks
Chest pain (not heart): Had IBS -D for many... - IBS Network
Chest pain (not heart)
Oh yes its the story of my life in recent years. I have cardiac arrhythmias and have been back and forth between my GP, Cardiac consultant and Gastroenterologists. My. Cardiologist is adamant, after a raft of tests, that the pain is not cardiac and said so in no uncertain times. He is correct. The chest pain is gastric driven.
Finding a solution is another issue though and no one seems to be able to sort this out. Read up on Cardio/gastric syndrome - Roehmeld syndrome it may or may not apply to you but it certainly does to me. Worth a look at the possibility.
Best wishes, its horrible to be dealing with this. My bowel issue is constipation but the same applies in so far as gastric issues throw our system and nervous system into chaos.
Thank you for the reply. I had never heard of gastric problems causing chest symptoms which I would have sworn were cardiac. I will do some research. Just when you think nothing else can be thrown in the 'ibs' ring 🙄.
Yes, I can relate to this. About 3 months ago I had awful chest pains that made me sit motionless and could hardly breath. So painful on the left hand side of my chest convincing me it had to be my heart. I put up with it feeling so nervous, light headed and after an hour or so, I had to go to A&E. Never been there in my life with anything and I'm 67. Had tests and they found nothing. No explanation for it whatsoever. Had IBS for years and all the miserable stuff that comes with it. I can only put it down to being related to this. I hope you feel better now.
It's so odd isn't it? I'm having chest pain most days and with the lightheaded dizzy feeling. I've really got to get my head to believe it's not my heart, because it's making me so anxious (which of course makes it and my IBS worse anyway!) I just hope it will subside as suddenly as it came.
Hi , have you had a gastroscopy , a camera that goes into your throat , down your oesophagus and into your large bowl and part of your small intestine , duodenum ?
Yes a couple of years ago and a colonoscopy last year. The first showed gastritis and the second was ok.
They may not of picked up at the time what is called a sliding hiatal hernia. This causes significant chest discomfort and upper abdominal spasm issues. You may want to check this out.
Yes interesting I think I have a sliding hiatal hernia but not diagnosed though I also get intermittent chest pain..
No one has mentioned costocondria (probably spelt wrong, but sounds like that.) It is muscular. Inflammation of the rib cage. Effecting the cartilage. Worth a look.
I get the chest pain as well since October behind left breast bone and discomfort in bicep occasionally which is strange. Do you get this?
Had ECG and said was okay. Now want me to have full body MRI
Yes cramping pain in left upper chest, going under armpit and into back. I did have one instance of it going into my arm and up to my jaw which was when I was sent to A&E. But ECG and chest x-ray were fine.
Hi Misscrisps, you have described my exact experience which started 5 years ago. I've had IBS C for 40 years and got by with diet etc. In 2020 I started getting chest pain and felt my heart was not right. I have had palpitations since 9 years old but this was different, heart arrhythmia. I ended up in A&E twice (doc made me go ) and then was sent to heart arrhythmia clinic and everything fine. In 2023 I was diagnosed with SIBO, I went down the herbal treatment path and very strict diet for 3 months. Thank goodness I am much better, still re introducing foods I know can be problematic some I can cope with in very small quantities some not. I noticed the arrhythmia starts about an hour after eating so guess it is gut related. It's not very pleasant and can make me feel really sick, dizzy and quite weird. It doesn't happen all the time either. I take marshmallow extract which seems to help. I did start to get acid reflux but very mild, marshmallow extract helps. I do have low stomach acid (SIBO related) . I don't think you ever get rid of SIBO you have to learn to live with it by controlling diet and find a balance which I have. I do have flare ups about every 3/4 months and take the herbal Candex Sibo from Nutri Advanced (I took this when first diagnosed by Naturopath along with other herbal things) I do hope this helps. It does help me when I read of others with same/similar problems. Sometimes you think you're going crazy! Hope you feel better soon
Thank you Sallybt, yes it does help when others can identify with what you are going through. My mind is in overdrive, obviously I was concerned with a 'new' illness of heart disease and I'm trying to believe the heart consultant, although it seems so odd! Re the SIBO, I'm in conflict now as the GP suggests Lansoprazole as the cure for the gastro chest pain but earlier when diagnosed with SIBO, I was told to avoid PPIs. I'm so confused with what's going on. I may try the marshmallow?!
Gall bladder/gall stones in the bile duct can cause severe chest pain just below/under the bottom ribs. It can be central (in my case) or to one side. The pain can resemble that of a heart attack. It can radiate to the back and/or up into the shoulders. I've never had palpitations with it though.
I hope you can find out what's causing it.
Thanks for replying. My pain is higher, a cramping pain above the nipple which spreads around under my arm and into my back. Liver, kidneys, blood tests all fine too.
It may be connected to acid reflux that you are experiencing lower down:
ibsresearcher.com/acid-reflux/
or Roemheld Syndrome:
Metronidazole is awful, it gave me respiratory depression, have put it down on my records as an allergy!
Oh no. Well I'm most definitely not taking it again, even if it hasn't caused this, (which I have my suspicions it has) as I felt so poorly on it, nausea, headaches, insomnia, palpitations, sweats..... The GP said it strips all the good bacteria as well as bad and can cause inflammation throughout the body!
Wow why do they prescribe it ?!
Has your pancreas been checked - ultrasound scan (upper abdomen which should include liver, gall bladder and bile ducts) and blood test (to check pancreatic enzymes)?
Also, have you been tested for H Pylori (in stomach)?
No not had pancreas check. But have tested negative for HPylori.
when I spoke to my GP they didn’t know what SIBO was
I was tested at an NHS hospital after referral by the gastro consultant.
Yes, but maybe. I have many issues with acid reflux or Gerd or whatever this hell in my gut is called. And sometimes I get a very sharp, intense chest pain just like you described. Especially if I eat sunflower seeds. So it may be a food allergy as well.
The important thing I have learned is to always have some cold water to drink anytime I eat. When that pain happens, drinking cold water is almost instantaneous relief. I also have a Schatzki ring that constricts my lower esophagus. And so, drinking cold water with every bite of food is absolutely necessary.
Anything cold is helpful.
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
IBS with chest pain & pain under left shoulder blade?
Chest pain, underarm, shoulder pain - acidity or gas ?
Severe intestinal Pain,I’m not quite sure what it is,IBS,Perineal Pain,or what.
Right rib pain, upper back pain, bloated and lots of wind!
Sharp rib pain, palpitations, and breathing shallow...
Related Posts
Can you tell the difference between IBS and CFS?
Pain in stomach and lower chest
Bum/Low back dull pain?
Colonoscopy Prep and Heart Arrhythmia Moderation team
