Chest Pain

Posted , 5 users are following.

hi there just wondering if anybody out there recognises my symptoms - i'm at a loose end - last week i was rushed into hospital with anaphylactic shock - which included hives over my body including a very tight uncomfortable pain in the middle of my chest (which they said was my oesophagus being in spasm) i couldn't swallow my saliva and the only way to describe the pain was as if my chest was just collecting air and i wanted to belch but nothing would come out - 1 week later the hives have gone however it's been replaced by my skin being extremely sensitive whenever i am touched i am left with red marks - but the worst thing is i still have this chest pain - on the odd occasion when i can belch the pain eases off temporarily until I swallow again - I have been given steroids temporarily but its not the solution ... does anybody recognise any of these signs .... my gp has no idea what it is or what has caused it

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    You did the right thing to go to your GP because you should not ignore chest pain. Other people with achalasia describe chest pain as feeling as if it is some sort of heart attack, but it does seem to be the result of muscular spasm. Very distressing.And probably made worse by stress and anxiety.

    Some people found that having a hot water bottle or equivalent across the chest helps; others found fizzy drinks help. Buscopan, nitrates and calcium blockers might help. There was also some speculation that the component of cannabis that might be available legally and through proper medical channels might help.

  • Posted

    Thank you for your feedback - much appreciated ....
  • Posted

    Hi, I have the same symptoms as you, I get pain in the chest and can't burp but when I do I feel better.

    I had an appointment at the hospital this morning with a speech & language therapist. I was told my throat was working perfect with drinking and eating so no problems there. The problem is more in my chest area where food sticks but not all the time.

    The therapist said I need a Barium Swallow which I wanted all along. I now have to wait for an appointment.

  • Posted

    Dear Merryl

    I am not sure where you are in the diagnosis process, but the specialist centres tend, ideally, to do a barium swallow, an endoscopy and a manometry test. This sounds like a lot of hassle, but it does help them to pinpoint exactly where the issues are occurring in the oesophagus. Until all that is done it relies on guesswork to a certain extent. Having a barium swallow will show objectively what happens to liquid that you swallow, and for many people it is a gateway to getting their condition looked at and taken seriously.

    Which is only telling you what you are saying already!

  • Posted

    Hi Alan thank you for your reply. I had an endoscopy and they found H Pylori and was given antibiotics. Got inflammation and a mild hiatus hernia which I knew about.

    I hope I will get an appointment for the Barium Swallow soon.

  • Posted

    Please help.. I am having this kind of problem now, and i am really depressed about it, the chest pain and sensitive skin, pain swallowing saliva.. Please help...

    • Posted

      First step is to see your doctor.  Meanwhile do keep drinking water in sips to keep yourself hydrated.   Try soft and liquid food like thin soup, again sipping in small quantities.

      ​Try and work out where the pain is occurring.   Is it upo in your throat, or is it further down around your diaphragm.

      ​Try and adopt some form of relaxation therapy, as this can often improve the tension involved.

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