Gassy chest pains; a constant feeling of needing to burp...
Posted , 54 users are following.
Hi,
I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this, but it seemed the closest bet.
Every so often (once a month or so), I experience what I can best describe as gassy chest pains. It's a tight fullness from about the middle of my chest up to the top of my throat (I'm assuming in my esophagus). It feels as if I need to get a good burp out to relieve the discomfort, yet no burp that I can manage is ever enough.
The discomfort gradually progresses into radiating waves of significant aching pain (dull in some areas, sharp in others) in the region of my chest/throat that I described.
Any amount of swallowing aggravates the pain, which proves to be problematic as my mouth starts producing excess amounts of saliva, which I have to continually expel.
The symptoms make it virtually impossible to sleep, if the condition hits at night (which it most often does), and laying down only seems to make the sensations worse. I've found that sitting up or standing while bending forward slightly (as when leaning over a counter, for instance) seem to provide the most positional relief, although it isn't much.
If I hold a deep breath when I feel a wave of pain coming, I seem to be able to bear it a little better than if I exhale or breathe normally.
The pain and chest/throat discomfort usually last a good few hours. Once the pain does subside, I'm usually left with a knotted feeling in the pit of my stomach for the better part of a day.
Since it began occurring more than a few times, I started keeping a log of things I've eaten before the symptoms began. Some recurring foods that may have triggered episodes include fatty red meats, chocolate, and (maybe) dairy.
In researching such symptoms/triggers, I found myself reading about GERD, and at first thought that might be what I had. But the pains I experience are achey, not burning or acidy, as described as the symptoms of GERD.
I've tried taking Tums, Alka-Seltzer, Gas-X, and drinking warm water when episodes begin, but nothing seems to help, other than time.
I know that stress can cause/aggravate such symptoms as well, and in some of my instances that might have played a role, but in others, some of the worst, I felt totally at ease before the symptoms flared up.
I'll be the first to admit that I don't have the best diet in the world. While I don't eat a lot of fast food, I also don't get as many fruits and vegetables as I should be having daily (especially fruit). I don't know if that would play any role here. I do take a daily multivitamin supplement.
Also, I do have a pre-existing heart condition (ventricular leakage after balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonary stenosis that I had as a child), but I don't see how that would be related to this matter, as I doubt any heart-related issues would be associated with the urge to burp.
And I am a 30 year old male.
I know that other people's issues are much more serious, but man, these conditions are quite unpleasant when they occur. Any opinions/insights as to what I might be experiencing, and how to treat or, better yet, prevent it, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
6 likes, 79 replies
flower300 imagazzell
Posted
imagazzell, have you been to the doctor? You can't underestimate these symptoms ... go to the doctor anddo the research you need
imagazzell
Posted
Hello All,
I apologize for not posting any updates for a while.
I was never officially diagnosed, but I have identified some apparent, repeated causes of my symptoms, which include the following:
• Overeating
• Eating especially fatty foods (e.g. non-lean red meats), as well as some gas-inducing foods (e.g. broccoli)
• Performing strenuous activity shortly after eating
• Lying down (including for sleep) shortly after eating
• Stress
I have found that avoiding these key factors as best I can--along with regular exercise and a healthier overall diet--has decreased the frequency and intensity of further episodes fairly significantly. I do still experience flare-ups once in a while, but have found some relief by using Pepto Bismol and a pain reducer (e.g. Tylenol).
Please note: The described conditions, treatments, and preventative measures are merely what I've found that apply to me personally, and should not be considered universal medical advice, nor do I advocate for them as such. Consult a medical professional as you normally would if you feel unwell.
Regards
elizabeth89379 imagazzell
Posted
carlos_87958 elizabeth89379
Posted
Sorry for your misery Elizabeth. Have you seen your doctor for this yet? He may want to refer you to a Gastroenterologist. If you are having the same symptoms as Imageazzell, it sounds like you are having issues with GERD (Gastro Esophageal Re flux Disease). I myself suffer from this and Imagazzell's symptoms were the same as mine. The best way to know what is going on is to have a Gastro Doc run and endoscope down your upper GI system to see what is happening. When my doc performed my procedure he found a nodule, an ulcer in my esophagus that was caused from acid pooling at while laying down and eating a hole in my throat. This also let to a suspicion of Barett's Disease which is a precursor to throat cancer. By the grace of God all my pathology came back negative for cancer and Barett's. It also was discovered that I had a hyatal hernia. This is the main cause for my GERD. I was put on 40mg's of Omeprazol which works wonders but after reading the long term side effects I was anxious to switch to a med that has less side effects. I know take rinitidine 150mg's in the morning and evening, I eat smaller meals, no spicy food, less fatty foods, I have reduced gassy type foods, and eating at least 3 hours before laying down. Coffee and carbonated beverages have been greatly reduced. Oh and for your ladies, chocolate of any sort is a big no no if you suffer from acid re flux or GERD. I am not 100%, but I will take the 75% of what I am today compare to what I was a few months ago. Please so you are not guessing, ask you doc to refer you to a Gastroenterologist. This is the only way of knowing what is going on. The sooner you schedule it the better. The wait time to see the specialist may be a ways out.
heather38380 imagazzell
Posted
mwewa77731 imagazzell
Posted
i have something similar to that, i feel like a have a lump stuck on my throat, theres a burning sensation, when an episode occurs its like acidic air moving from my stomach wanting to come out through my mouth, and alot of saliva starts forming, i feel like burping but the burp cant just come out. and sometimes i feel like i want to poop but when i go to the toilet nothing is there. i have done endoscopy, barium swallow, full blood count, x-ray but they all show negative. now i dont know what to do
carlos_87958 mwewa77731
Posted
I have finally found relief form these symptoms. The one think that help me the most was a daily dose of probiotic supplements. It made a huge difference in about 2 weeks. If you doctor puts you on antacids especially proton pump inhibitors, make sure to take a daily supplement of magnesium and potassium. Antacids cause you body to not absorb these minerals and cause other issues over time like muscle cramp, heart palpitations, anxiety, fragile bones and fatigue to name a few. If you are prescribed a PPI try to not use them for more than a year. That stuff is bad over a long period of time and doctors fail to tell people that. Doctors are over prescribing PPI's these days because the pharmaceutical companies are giving them kick backs. When you tell your doctor that you heard this, trust me they are going to say who ever said that is crazy. And that's because your doc doesn't want you to stop being his cash cow.
melissa88059 imagazzell
Posted
I am having these exact symptoms!! Did you ever figure out what was wrong or fond something to help? Hope you are better
Pookielynn imagazzell
Posted
My mom hasn't been able to burp n it causes her to be in pain n very uncomfortable. She has tried Gax x and heartburn medication and neither make her burp n still experiencing the uncomfort and pain please if anyone has experienced this n can help with any ideas please share so my poor mom can feel better 😔🙏🙌
henri85998 imagazzell
Posted
Hi everyone,
I have lived with this exact condition for over 10 years. I completely understand the chest pain you describe, salivating and being nauseated with every swallowing making it worse. After a big meal or fizzy drinks it would get quite bad.
After a lot of experimentation, I found that forcing a gag reflex worked wonders. Its definitely not presentable in public but it changed my life for the better. a couple of fingers up my throat when going to the bathroom used to do the trick, all the gas leaves at once and i feel perfectly fine just after . Now I can even trigger the burp on demand without my fingers. Sure its noisy and sounds like you are about to vomit but it's a life changer. My close friends and my girlfriend are aware of it and don't mind too much - and I've learned to be more discreet too.
I looked for a scientific answer, it seems like it might be a dysfunction of the cricopharyngeal muscle, being too tight (the opposite of acid reflux, where it is too loose ).
I've subscribed just to share this tip because i know how difficult it can be. Hope this helps!
Henri