GERD OR SOMETHING MORE SINISTER?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi im a 22 year old male. For months i have had what you would call heart burn and abit of shortness of breath etc. but nothing too serious or scary. Anyways about 4 days ago i woke up with the worst heartburn ever! Literally my throat chest was on fire. i tried drinking cold drinking, sucking on a flavoured icicle and had a ice cream, i must admit it didnt do much although it did take my mind of it abit. it lasted all day and has sort of gone anyway now, but since then ive been having a pain in my upper back that comes and goes in the centre around spinal area. also everytime i swallow i can feel my food go down to my stomach but this certain point in my esophagus it goes past i get a sharp pain that lasts for around 2 seconds, then goes, although there is still mild pain when im not eating. its about 2 ribs down from my collar bone in the center on my chest. drinking sometimes mimics the pain although no where near as painful and occasionally taking a deep breath will mimic it also. is this gerd? or should i be alittle more worried about these symptoms. any ideas will help alot!
0 likes, 3 replies
Gillian1956 josh7482
Posted
sounds like it to me buy some indigestion meds like Zantac or Gaviscon and dont eat spicy foods or drink coffee or alcohol for a while see if it calms down
NC10 josh7482
Posted
Hey Josh 😃
So it sounds very likely that your reflux has caused esophagitis, which is an inflammation of the esophagus. The part of your esophagus that hurts every time food passes is likely extremely inflammed. Furthermore, the pain you are experiencing that seems localized in your back is most likely due to the inflammation of the esophagus.
I often had "back pain" but it was referred pain. My advice is to talk to your doctor and see if medication such as H2 Blockers or PPI's will help. This is clearly causing enough distress and damage that a doctor should help you.
As far as anything more serious, the likelihood of cancer in the esophagus is extremely low for someone your age and for reflux to cause cancer, it has to be an ongoing problem for YEARS if not decades. Most people with esophageal cancer dont even know they have it. What you have sounds likr a severe reflux episode that has caused esophagitis.
See your doctor when you can and relaxxxx 😃))
oladapo_51374 josh7482
Posted
I am sorry you are feeling so much distressed by events which I think are certainly GERD episodes. They manifest in a variety of ways and could cause even severe pain and dizziness at times.
I am sure your doctor will recommend an endoscopy and barium swallow to really detect the precise nature of the ailment.
Frankly they are fairly typical.
You can also help by making some lifestyle adjustments like sleeping inclined with the upper part tilted upwards by some degrees, eating smaller meals, avoiding oily foods and not going to bed for 3 hours after the last meal. I stress the last bit especially as your episodes flare up at sleep times. Cheers.